Irish dancer Niamh O’Brien dies aged 52
publishers 29articles 35first reported 5 Oct, 19:16 UTCdeveloping since 6 Oct · 10 editions
Niamh O’Brien, the Irish dancer who starred in *Lord of the Dance* and later married Michael Flatley, has died aged 52.
O’Brien died peacefully on Monday at Beacon Hospital in Dublin, surrounded by her family, following a period of illness. She had a long-standing lung condition that had deteriorated over the past year and was due to travel to the United States for a lung transplant.
“My heart is broken. I have lost my beautiful wife, Niamh, and my best friend,” Flatley said in a social media post. “She was the most loving mother, wife and person, and our lives will never be the same without her.” The couple married in Co Cork in 2006 and had one son, Michael St James, born in 2007.
Originally from Kilbride, Co Meath, O’Brien began Irish dancing as a child and placed fourth in the world championships at 17. She became a professional performer, playing the lead role of Saoirse in *Lord of the Dance* and appearing in *Riverdance*, *Feet of Flames* and *Celtic Tiger*.
Riverdance said O’Brien had been part of its story since its first appearance at Eurovision in 1994 and that her contribution to Irish dance would not be forgotten. Irish Dancing magazine remembered her as a “beautiful Irish dancer, performer, wife, mother and much-loved member of the Irish Dance community.” Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 4 articles, 3 with the publisher's own text; 3 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 36 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
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- Source articles
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- Given to the writer
- 4, 3 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 3
- This version written
- 36 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
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WHAT THE EDITOR DID
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