Michael Flatley's wife Niamh O'Brien dies aged 52

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 10 Oct, 13:24 · Archive

Niamh O'Brien, the wife of Lord of the Dance star Michael Flatley, has died aged 52 following an illness.

Niamh O'Brien, 52, died peacefully at the Beacon Hospital in Dublin last week. She had been married to Lord of the Dance and Riverdance star Michael Flatley for almost 20 years. The couple had a son together, Michael St James.

Flatley had spoken publicly about his marriage with enthusiasm. Earlier this year he said: 'I'm very blessed, I'm in love with my wife, who's in love with me. We have a wonderful son. I don't remember us ever having a bad word.' He had been planning a grand romantic gesture to mark their 20th wedding anniversary on 14 October, planning to ask Niamh to renew their vows.

O'Brien performed the lead role of Saoirse in Lord of the Dance shows alongside Flatley. At her funeral on Saturday at Church Of St Thérèse, Mount Merrion, mourners from across the world attended, including former Riverdance lead dancer Padraic Moyles and actor Patrick Connolly Bergin. The 68-year-old Flatley gave an emotional eulogy, describing the previous three weeks as 'unbearable' as her health worsened. He told mourners: 'I felt a lot of pain in my life...But this morning I have never felt pain like this in my life.' He played her favourite tune on his flute during the service.

How it is being reported

• Flatley ‘never felt pain like this’ at funeral for his ‘lady of the dance’Niamh O’Brien, 52, died in Dublin last week following an illness.Evening Standard · 10 Oct, 13:10
• Partying, drinking and chasing women was Michael Flatley's reputation. But when a friendship with Niamh O'Brien developed into more, all changed. INSIDE the two-decade romance that brought the Lord of the Dance the happiness he craved...Niamh O'Brien, the wife of Michael Flatley was his friend and confidant for years before there was any romance.Daily Mail · 9 Oct, 22:02

In this story: Michael Flatley · Niamh O'Brien · Dublin · Co Cork · Beacon Hospital

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