TUESDAY WILL MARK the 1st anniversary of the death of Dolores O’Riordan.
The Cranberries singer’s sudden passing in London last January felt like a visceral blow to the music industry, with countless tributes paid by both her peers and the public in the days and weeks that followed her death.
Over the course of the last 12 months, the Limerick native has been remembered and honoured in myriad ways, and here we take a look back at just some of those moments.
Three-day Memorial
A three-day memorial was held in Limerick in January 2018 as mourners gathered to remember the mother-of-three, and the music she made during her rise to international prominence with the band.
Dolores’ mother Eileen spoke to the Limerick Leader, and thanked all those who remembered her daughter.
The people who queued to sign the book of condolence – some of them standing in the rain – it has meant a huge amount to us and has been a great source of comfort.
The Late Late Show tribute
The Friday following Dolores’ death, The Late Late Show drew to a close with a tribute to the singer.
After expressing his shock over her passing and extending his condolences to Dolores’ family, Ryan Tubridy said:
Quite simple, we can only remember her best tonight with that music. Back in 1994, The Cranberries were here with Gay at the time and they were singing Zombie, and we thought it was appropriate that this is how we would like to remember the late Dolores O’Riordan.
Remembered by radio stations
On January 23, Dolores was laid to rest following a funeral in Saint Ailbhe’s Church in Ballybricken, Co Limerick.
At midday, as a tribute to the singer, radio stations the length and breadth of Ireland simultaneously played When You’re Gone.
Lovely tribute by Irish radio to Dolores O'Riordan #RIPDolores 📻 pic.twitter.com/ZNHdlR4GHp
— Gareth O'Connor (@garethoconnor) January 23, 2018
The Dolores Documentary
In February, RTÉ aired a documentary honouring the late singer.
Footage of the many interviews she gave over the course of her career provided an insight into the ups and downs Dolores experienced during her time in the glare of the international spotlight.
She conquered the world with a Limerick accent. I will forever take an irrational amount of pride in that. #Dolores
— Andrew Cunneen (@Cunneen92) February 19, 2018
Watching #Dolores documentary on RTÉ and still find it hard to believe she is gone. To listen to her talk so candidly, it makes you feel you are having the DMC’s with your best pal. Limerick’s lady x
— Aoife McLoughlin (@Squifferito) February 19, 2018
Arcade Fire’s Linger
In April, Arcade Fire played Dublin’s 3Arena, and took the time to honour Dolores in a moment that most attending are unlikely to forget.
The band played an accoustic version of Linger which then segued into Everything Now – a decision that made headlines in the days following the gig.
Corpus Christi School tribute
Ahead of the All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship when Limerick faced off against Galway, the Corpus Christi school choir from Moyross paid tribute to the singer’s home county on an episode of Up for the Match.
I've no doubt #DoloresORiordan would be extremely proud of that beautiful and emotional rendition of #Dreams The two soloists were amazing. Well done #CorpusChristiNS #UpForTheMatch
— Cathy Brady ⚽ (@CeeBee8) August 19, 2018
Dolores O'Riordan would be so happy to see It 💔
— ELIO JR🌀 (@EliORiordan) August 18, 2018
Such a fabulous tune and brilliant performance from the kids I hope limerick get there day today . Nothing against Galway .
— Dodser (@daviddoddwex) August 19, 2018
The All-Ireland Final
Limerick did it in the end, and with the team celebrating their first All Ireland win since 1973, it seemed only appropriate to hear Dolores’ voice soaring over Croke Park last August as the team lifted the Liam McCarthy cup for the first time in 45 years.
When You’re Gone tribute
In December, a group of musicians from various strands of the Limerick music scene came together in aid of Midwest Simon Community, and filmed a rendition of When You’re Gone.
City Hall Memorial
According to the Irish Examiner, the day before Dolores’ one-year anniversary on Tuesday, City Hall in Limerick will be holding a special presentation of music memorabilia, which are set to include numerous posters and photographs of The Cranberries which document their career trajectory since their establishment in 1989.
Posthumous Honour from UL
Earlier this week, it was announced that Dolores would receive a posthumous honour from The University of Limerick on January 18.
Next Friday, Dolores’ bandmates, Noel Hogan, Mike Hogan and Fergal Lawlor, will be conferred by the university, with the O’Riordan family accepting a special award on behalf of the late singer.
An inquest into Dolores’ death in September found that she had drowned in a bath, while intoxicated with alcohol.
Following the inquest, her former bandmates released a statement, honouring their friend and bandmate.
On January 15th 2018 we lost our dear friend and band mate Dolores O’Riordan. Today we continue to struggle to come to terms with what happened. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Dolores’ children and her family.
