Culture
06 Oct 26

Niamh O'Brien, dancer and wife of Michael Flatley, has died aged 52

Michael Flatley and Niamh O'Brien via @michaelflatleyofficial on Instagram.

"The Flatley and O'Brien families are devastated by Niamh's sudden passing and have asked that their privacy be respected as they come to terms with this heartbreaking loss," said a representative.

Niamh O'Brien, a former lead performer in Lord of the Dance and the wife of Riverdance star Michael Flatley, has died aged 52.

Flatley announced her death on social media, writing:

"My heart is broken. I have lost my beautiful wife, Niamh, and my best friend. My gorgeous bride of twenty years has gone to the Lord in Heaven. She was the most loving mother, wife and person, and our lives will never be the same without her.

"Thank you for all the love and kindness you have shown us. Please keep Niamh, Michael St James and our family in your thoughts and prayers."

A representative for Flatley said that O'Brien died peacefully at the Beacon Hospital in Dublin after an illness.

"The Flatley and O'Brien families are devastated by Niamh's sudden passing and have asked that their privacy be respected as they come to terms with this heartbreaking loss," said the representative.

O'Brien was an Irish dancer who performed the lead role of Saoirse in the Lord of the Dance shows. She took up dancing from a very young age and placed highly in World Championships at the age of 17.

The couple got married in 2006 in Cork and had a son, Michael St James, who was born in 2007.

Tributes have begun to pour in for the late star, including from Irish television presenter Kathryn Thomas, who took to social media to share her condolences.

"I'm so, so sorry. Such shocking news to hear," she wrote. "Your beautiful Niamh. Sending so much love to you and your family."

Irish actress Victoria Smurfit added: "Michael [I] am so incredibly sorry to hear this shocking news. All love to you and your lad. She was beauty inside and out."

BBC Radio 2 Drivetime presenter Angela Scanlon also commented, "I'm so, so sorry to hear this terrible news. Sending deepest condolences," while Irish TV star Brian Ormond wrote: "I'm so sorry for your loss."

Professional Irish dancers, the Gardiner brothers, added: "We are so sorry for your loss Michael. Praying for all of you."