Mary, I’m a big fan of your writing but felt I needed to respond to one part of this article. Sinead was indeed a troubled soul but she was never a resident in a Magdalen home. She was in a home for young people adjacent to a magdalen home. Having been born in one, I am only too aware of 5he distinction! Sinead’s brother, the author Joseph O’Connor, when asked about Sinead’s story of growing up responded with a comment that their memories are different. A.
Thank you so much for this amazing piece of writing! Sinead O'Connor was near and dear to my heart. I was born 1975 and those songs of hers SPOKE to me as a woman. I don't think I would feel more alone in this world without her lyrics and music. I was a naughty, rebellious teenager who was pregnant at age 15. I had an abortion because I knew it wasn't the right time for me. She helped me through it. I felt that my vulnerability was my strength and it saw me through this horrible time. It brings tears to my eyes.
Thank you. I always knew she was a unique & special singer. We are the same age & my father was a first generation Irish from Chicago. His father Frank came right through Canada (according to records) to Chicago & opened a tavern called The Shamrock during the heyday of Capone. When all the Catholics went ballistic over the Pope's picture being ripped I thought, ok I get it, but I didn't expect them to destroy her career over it. Joe Pesci & his vicious remarks about smacking her come to mind, & that's when I thought, wow that's extreme. I've never liked him since. What Pesci in his ignorance fails to understand is that priests under the pope had been getting away with rape & molestation of children across the globe. When you put it into that perspective, her anger is justified & his is not.
The same and similar notions flood my own mind and eyes when I think about the loss of each fabulous artist like O'Conner. I worship the artists: the singers, the writers, the painters and composers; the photographers, the carvers and potters, the actors and comics. All of these beautiful people have been special in my life. They have been stand-ins for beloved family that I never had, having grown up in an abusive, incredibly destructive family through the 60's and 70's, feeling bereft of Love, Wisdom and Beauty.
Without those priceless things the artists endow upon us what would the world be?
At our age ( you, me and our cohort) it seems a terrible landslide of loss the last few years as another and another fabulous artist leaves this world almost weekly.
Surely they look back in equivalent bereavement as they move on to the next universe. I feel certain that Sinead's powerful soul misses us as we miss her.
Wow, Mary, your tribute and those written here. I remember loving her, her music, and the tearing up the Pope all around the time that that happened. I thought she was brilliant and brave back then, echoing a lot of my feelings. After that, my life probably got diverted and I'd forgotten about her until now. It was sad to hear of her passing, about her son and about her life. She has left us with her beautiful music, her beautiful voice and part of Her Self to honor, reflecting parts of ourselves with which we connect. Thank you.
I have around 15,000 songs in my iTunes library, and “Three Babies” may just be the most gorgeous in my entire collection. Stunning, no matter how many times I hear it. Timeless.
Such a pure soul such as Sinead’s, and all particularly sensitive souls, seem to go through so much trauma and sadness in life — a fact that I will never understand, resulting in my lifelong irreligious bent. Sinead’s persistence in religiosity will always puzzle me.
Beautiful Sinead love Mary. Writing about her was the first time I have ever written anything that brought a tear or two, but mostly is a good way. Also found some amazing additional bonus tracks including on one of the best live performances by any artist, ever. Rest in Power our dear warrior for truth Sinead. https://samray.substack.com/p/through-their-own-words-they-will
The Lion and the Cobra was pure genius. RIP
Thank you so much for writing this ✨
Mary, I’m a big fan of your writing but felt I needed to respond to one part of this article. Sinead was indeed a troubled soul but she was never a resident in a Magdalen home. She was in a home for young people adjacent to a magdalen home. Having been born in one, I am only too aware of 5he distinction! Sinead’s brother, the author Joseph O’Connor, when asked about Sinead’s story of growing up responded with a comment that their memories are different. A.
Well yeah...they would have different memories because she was a girl & he a boy with all the privilege that offered.
Mary thank you for this emotional view of a great singer and of you! It is a pleasure to read your words. Marie
She was a warrior and a gift, hard to think of a world without her and that voice. Thanks for the beautiful tribute.
Thank you so much for this amazing piece of writing! Sinead O'Connor was near and dear to my heart. I was born 1975 and those songs of hers SPOKE to me as a woman. I don't think I would feel more alone in this world without her lyrics and music. I was a naughty, rebellious teenager who was pregnant at age 15. I had an abortion because I knew it wasn't the right time for me. She helped me through it. I felt that my vulnerability was my strength and it saw me through this horrible time. It brings tears to my eyes.
Thank you so much. You are a girls girl!
-Erin
Thank you. I always knew she was a unique & special singer. We are the same age & my father was a first generation Irish from Chicago. His father Frank came right through Canada (according to records) to Chicago & opened a tavern called The Shamrock during the heyday of Capone. When all the Catholics went ballistic over the Pope's picture being ripped I thought, ok I get it, but I didn't expect them to destroy her career over it. Joe Pesci & his vicious remarks about smacking her come to mind, & that's when I thought, wow that's extreme. I've never liked him since. What Pesci in his ignorance fails to understand is that priests under the pope had been getting away with rape & molestation of children across the globe. When you put it into that perspective, her anger is justified & his is not.
This was a lovely post. I'd forgotten about "No Man's Woman" and how much I loved that song.
Sìnead suffered too much and the song encapsulates her struggle to be herself, and to love herself.
Thank you Mary.
Thank you so much for this heartfelt post. It touched me deeply. 💙🙏🏼
Thanks Mary,
The same and similar notions flood my own mind and eyes when I think about the loss of each fabulous artist like O'Conner. I worship the artists: the singers, the writers, the painters and composers; the photographers, the carvers and potters, the actors and comics. All of these beautiful people have been special in my life. They have been stand-ins for beloved family that I never had, having grown up in an abusive, incredibly destructive family through the 60's and 70's, feeling bereft of Love, Wisdom and Beauty.
Without those priceless things the artists endow upon us what would the world be?
At our age ( you, me and our cohort) it seems a terrible landslide of loss the last few years as another and another fabulous artist leaves this world almost weekly.
Surely they look back in equivalent bereavement as they move on to the next universe. I feel certain that Sinead's powerful soul misses us as we miss her.
Bless the creative ones!
Wow, Mary, your tribute and those written here. I remember loving her, her music, and the tearing up the Pope all around the time that that happened. I thought she was brilliant and brave back then, echoing a lot of my feelings. After that, my life probably got diverted and I'd forgotten about her until now. It was sad to hear of her passing, about her son and about her life. She has left us with her beautiful music, her beautiful voice and part of Her Self to honor, reflecting parts of ourselves with which we connect. Thank you.
All Sinead wanted was peace and love for everyone. And people hated her for that.
I have around 15,000 songs in my iTunes library, and “Three Babies” may just be the most gorgeous in my entire collection. Stunning, no matter how many times I hear it. Timeless.
Such a pure soul such as Sinead’s, and all particularly sensitive souls, seem to go through so much trauma and sadness in life — a fact that I will never understand, resulting in my lifelong irreligious bent. Sinead’s persistence in religiosity will always puzzle me.
Mary, thank you for sharing this heartfelt tribute!
Beautiful Sinead love Mary. Writing about her was the first time I have ever written anything that brought a tear or two, but mostly is a good way. Also found some amazing additional bonus tracks including on one of the best live performances by any artist, ever. Rest in Power our dear warrior for truth Sinead. https://samray.substack.com/p/through-their-own-words-they-will