How Sinad O'Connor changed Ireland

Underneath the oversized photographs of the Irish rock and roll Wall of Fame at a vigil this week in Dublin's Temple Bar, her image stood out amongst the mostly male artists.

How could it not? That's what she always did.

The grief took the form of a woman reading a poem in reaction to O'Connor's death. A small memorial shrine began to form with candles, incense, and flowers. "Thank you, Sinead" a sign drawn on cardboard read. "We heard you."

An a capella singsong took hold on the cobbled street. At her former house south of the city in Bray, another shrine coalesced. Further gatherings were planned in LGBT bars, on bridges, in public squares and a full moon vigil in Phoenix Park.

O'Connor's death has cracked open a complex and deep emotional network in the Irish psyche. Once again, through her, a pain about growing up in a place where little truth-telling occurred, is flowing.

Speaking out against the Catholic Church at a time when few people did sparked outrage and hostility and risked her career, but Ireland is now realising the good she did.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66330500