'We are devastated': The Cranberries pay tribute to Dolores O'Riordan

LIMERICK band The Cranberries have said "the world has lost a true artist" following the sudden death of lead singer Dolores O'Riordan.

In a statement this evening, the three remaining members of the group, Noel Hogan, Mike Hogan and Fergal Lawler, said they were "devastated on the passing of our friend Dolores".

"She was an extraordinary talent and we feel very privileged to have been part of her life from 1989 when we started the Cranberries. The world has lost a true artist today," they said.

We are devastated on the passing of our friend Dolores. She was an extraordinary talent and we feel very privileged to have been part of her life from 1989 when we started the Cranberries. The world has lost a true artist today.
Noel, Mike and Fergal

— The Cranberries (@The_Cranberries) January 15, 2018

It was confirmed earlier this Monday that the 46-year-old - a native of Ballybricken - passed away suddenly in a London hotel.

A spokesperson who represented the singer confirmed to the Leader: "Irish and international singer Dolores O’Riordan has died suddenly in London today. She was 46 years old. The lead singer with the Irish band The Cranberries, was in London for a short recording session.

"No further details are available at this time," added the spokesperson of the Limerick woman, who had three children.

A wave of tributes have followed the shocking news, led by President of Ireland Michael D Higgins, who hailed a musician, singer and song writer who "had an immense influence on rock and pop music in Ireland and internationally".

Limerick City and County Council said that a book of condolence would be opened at Merchant's Quay on Tuesday morning, while Mayor Cllr Stephen Keary said she was "a phenomenal talent and a gifted singer" who "was an international success, but never forgot her Ballybricken roots.

"My thoughts are with her three children and her family who have lost a loving mother, daughter and sister, while the world has lost an amazing singer, songwriter and major talent". 

Pop group Duran Duran - whose tour manager Don Burton married the Limerick woman in Tipperary in 1994 - said they were "crushed to hear the news".

"Our thoughts go out to her family at this terrible time," they said.

We are crushed to hear the news about the passing of Dolores O’Riordan. Our thoughts go out to her family at this terrible time. https://t.co/6p20QD2Ii5 pic.twitter.com/vXscj0VGHS

— Duran Duran (@duranduran) January 15, 2018

Limerick Institute of Technology, who unveiled a Cranberries inspired artwork in the Moylish campus last year, said the "art lives on here".

The entire LIT community extends sincere condolences to the family and friends of Dolores O'Riordan. Proud to have hosted you and @The_Cranberries in Moylish and Clare Street. Your art lives on here. pic.twitter.com/2X2qTdfnVK

— LIT (@LimerickIT) January 15, 2018

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar hailed the "voice of a generation" who "blazed a trail and might just have been Limerick’s greatest ever rock star".

For anyone who grew up in Ireland in the 1990s, Dolores O’Riordan was the voice of a generation. As the female lead singer of a hugely successful rock band, she blazed a trail and might just have been Limerick’s greatest ever rock star. RIP.

— Leo Varadkar (@campaignforleo) January 15, 2018

Musician Hozier said Dolores had a voice that was "unforgettable. It threw into question what a voice could sound like in that context of Rock. I'd never heard somebody use their instrument in that way. Shocked and saddened to hear of her passing, thoughts are with her family."

My first time hearing Dolores O'Riordan's voice was unforgettable. It threw into question what a voice could sound like in that context of Rock. I'd never heard somebody use their instrument in that way. Shocked and saddened to hear of her passing, thoughts are with her family.

— Hozier (@Hozier) January 15, 2018

Stephen Street, who produced The Cranberries' first two studio albums, 1993's Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? and 1994's No Need to Argue, told Rolling Stone in a tribute that he remembered a "firebrand that kept everybody on their toes" that was an "Irish songbird".

Limerick's Rubberbandits tweeted that it was a "very sad day for Limerick, a legend gone".

Dolores O Riordan has died, Rest In Peace. Very sad day for Limerick, a legend gone

— Rubber Bandits (@Rubberbandits) January 15, 2018