Rock group The Cranberries have announced they are taking a two-year break from recording and live shows.
The announcement comes after a summer of rumours and speculation that the internationally renowned rock group was about to split up for good.
A spokeswoman for the band said last night that it was "just a break and that nothing was ruled out for the future".
Lead singer Dolores O'Riordan has been in Canada since mid-June to be with her mother-in-law who is ill. However, she is still working on a variety of solo projects and film soundtracks.
"We've been together for 13 years," says Dolores. "It's a much-needed break. It was getting predictable and lacking in challenge. Time to experiment."
Her co-writing partner and Cranberries guitarist, Noel Hogan, is making demos for his first solo album. All four members of the band - Dolores O'Riordan, Noel Hogan, Michael Hogan and Fergal Lawler - are married with children and have sold over 38 million albums since 1990.
As part of the temporary shut-down in activities, The Cranberries have parted company with American co-manager Lewis Kovac who is currently setting up his own entertainment agency.
The band will continue its business dealings through the Irish-based Timeless Music company. The split with Kovac was said to be "entirely amicable" and The Cranberries wished him "the best of luck in his new project".
O'Riordan is collaborating on an autobiography with Dublin writer Mr Paul Russell which they hope to publish next year.