Sinéad O’Connor cancels all live dates for 2022 due to “continuing grief”

The singer lost her son Shane earlier this year.

Sinéad O'Connor has cancelled all of her live shows for the remainder of 2022, opting to put her health and wellbeing first. The acclaimed singer-songwriter was hit with tragedy in January with the sudden passing of her 17-year-old son, Shane. "My beautiful son, Nevi’im Nesta Ali Shane O’Connor, the very light of my life, decided to end his earthly struggle today and is now with God," the singer wrote on Twitter at the time. "May he rest in peace and may no one follow his example. My baby. I love you so much. Please be at peace." O'Connor had been due to perform a series of shows in July at Dublin's Iveagh Gardens, the Heineken Big Top in Galway, and as part of Waterford's All Together Now festival. On Friday morning (17 June), O'Connor's management issued a statement cancelling the appearances and signalling the singer's intention to take time to heal.

"We would like to respectfully announce that due to continuing grief over the tragic loss of her beloved son Shane earlier this year, Sinead O'Connor will not be performing live in 2022," the statement begins.

"This has not been an easy decision for Sinead but a decision she has had to make for her own health and wellbeing at this time. We would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to Sinead's worldwide agency ICM who have handled this with the utmost respect and dignity and have worked tirelessly.

"We would also extend our gratitude for the continuing support and understanding of local and international promoters. Thank you also to Sinead's friends and fans whose support and understanding we hold in the highest esteem throughout this period."

"The love being shown has been a source of great comfort and peace for Sinead," the statement concludes.