Michael Flatley Pays Tearful Tribute to Late Wife Niamh O’Brien at Dublin Funeral
- Michael Flatley paid a tearful tribute to his late wife, Niamh O’Brien, describing the emotional pain of her death as the worst he had ever experienced during her...
- O’Brien’s coffin arrived at the Church of St Thérèse shortly before 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 10, 2026, according to the Press Association.
- Chief mourners at the Mass included her husband Michael Flatley, their son Michael St James, her parents Monica and Tommy, and her sisters Derval and Aoibheann, alongside other...
Michael Flatley paid a tearful tribute to his late wife, Niamh O’Brien, describing the emotional pain of her death as the worst he had ever experienced during her funeral Mass on October 10, 2026. The service took place at the Church of St Thérèse in Mount Merrion, Dublin, drawing a packed congregation of family and mourners to bid farewell to the 52-year-old dancer and mother.
Funeral Mass Held at Mount Merrion
O’Brien’s coffin arrived at the Church of St Thérèse shortly before 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 10, 2026, according to the Press Association. The service followed her peaceful death at the Beacon Hospital in Dublin the previous week, after a prolonged illness.
Chief mourners at the Mass included her husband Michael Flatley, their son Michael St James, her parents Monica and Tommy, and her sisters Derval and Aoibheann, alongside other family members. A private family burial followed the Mass.
Flatley Recalls 12-Year Illness
Addressing the congregation, Flatley struggled through tears to honor the woman he married twenty years ago this month. He recounted that O’Brien had been diagnosed with scleroderma, an autoimmune disease, twelve years prior and was given two years to live at the time, according to the Press Association.
Every day of her life she fought it, the last two years were very difficult. I told her:
Focus not on the storm, but focus on the hand of the Lord.Michael Flatley
The Press Association reported that Flatley described feeling hollow inside and needing to bring their son to the front of the church for strength during the service.
Legal Case Adjourned in High Court
Solicitor Barry Creed informed the court of O’Brien’s passing and upcoming funeral, prompting expressions of sympathy from the judge and counsel for the opposing side. The case is scheduled to return to court at the end of October.
I can’t believe that I was so lucky that Niamh said yes to me. She wasn’t just my lady, the lady she was, she was my dream girl, she was my everything, she was the lady of the dance, she was the love of my life, she was the mother of our son, she was highly intelligent and she was the most beautiful girl in the world, my dream girl, Niamhy.
Michael Flatley