Riverdance star Michael Flatley’s wife Niamh Flatley dies aged 52

Acclaimed dancer Niamh Flatley, wife of Riverdance founder Michael Flatley, has died aged 52.

Flatley posted on social media that his “beautiful wife, Niamh, and my best friend” had passed away, describing her as “the most loving mother, wife and person.” He asked friends to keep Niamh, their son Michael St James and the family in thoughts and prayers.

The couple married in 2006 at St Patrick’s Church in Fermoy, County Cork, after beginning to date in June of that year. Their son, Michael St James, was born in 2007. Niamh, formerly Niamh O’Brien, worked for Flatley’s Lord of the Dance production company.

A family statement said the Flatley and O’Brien families are “devastated by Niamh’s sudden passing” and requested privacy. The statement thanked the doctors, nurses and staff at Beacon Hospital for their care over the past few weeks and expressed gratitude for the support received.

Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Pavel Danilyuk / Pexels.