Niamh O’Brien, dancer and wife of Michael Flatley, dies

Niamh O’Brien, who was the lead performer in Lord of the Dance and the wife of Riverdance star Michael Flatley, has died at the age of 52.

Flatley announced her death in a social media post this evening, saying his heart was “broken”.

They had one child, Michael St James, who was born in 2007.

“My heart is broken. I have lost my beautiful wife, Niamh, and my best friend,” he said.

“My gorgeous bride of 20 years has gone to the Lord in Heaven.

“She was the most loving mother, wife and person, and our lives will never be the same without her,” he added.

A representative said she passed away peacefully at Beacon Hospital in Dublin following an illness.

“The Flatley and O’Brien families are devastated by Niamh’s sudden passing and have asked that their privacy be respected as they come to terms with this heartbreaking loss.

“They express their sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff at Beacon Hospital who cared for Niamh over the past few weeks, and to everyone who has offered their kindness and support to the family,” they added.

The pair had been married since 2006, when they got married in Co Cork.

Ms O’Brien was a renowned Irish dancer who performed the lead role of Saoirse in the Lord of the Dance shows.

She took up dancing from a very young age and had placed highly in World Championships.