Dancers at Lord of the Dance have said their hearts are ‘truly broken’ as they prepare to say goodbye to their ‘leading lady’ Niamh Flatley.

Michael Flatley announced the tragic passing of his wife Niamh on Monday, just hours before the mum-of-one was due to fly to the US to receive a lung transplant.

The Irish dancing superstar shared that the 52-year-old died peacefully at the Beacon Hospital in Dublin.

Michael Flatley and his wife Niamh with their son. Pic: Michael Flatley / Instagram
Michael Flatley and his wife Niamh with their son. Pic: Michael Flatley / Instagram

Tributes continue to pour in for the dancer ahead of funeral on Saturday, including a statement by her ‘dance family’ at Lord of the Dance.

In an emotional statement, members of the Lord of the Dance troupe said Niamh was a ‘fiercely loyal, a remarkable dancer and a leading lady’.

It read: ‘Niamh Flatley – Our Lady of the Dance. The heart of our Lord of the Dance family.

‘Niamh was beautiful, kind, funny, warm and fiercely loyal. Full of life, with a spirit, a smile and a spark that would light up any room.’

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Michael Flatley with dancers at a photocall for Lord of the Dance at The Gibson Hotel in Dublin. Pic: GMCD

Niamh began Irish dancing at the age of three and competed professionally until she was 17, when she placed fourth in the world championships. 

She performed the lead role of ‘Saoirse’ in the Lord of the Dance show. She also appeared in his shows Riverdance, Feet of Flames and Celtic Tiger. 

The group said: ‘Niamh was an inspiration to all of us – a remarkable dancer, leading lady, a very special person and a fundamental part of our LOTD story.’

The statement added: ‘Our hearts are truly broken.’

Michael Flatley in Lord of the Dance. Pic: David M. Benett/Getty Images
Michael Flatley in Lord of the Dance. Pic: David M. Benett/Getty Images

‘Our deepest love and thoughts are with Niamh’s husband Michael, her adored son Michael St.James, the O’Brien family and all those who loved her so dearly.

‘Niamh, we adored you. We will carry your memory with us in every step.❤️ Thank you, Niamh, for everything. We loved you then. We love you still. And we always will.

‘Dance with the Angels in Heaven, our beautiful Niamh 🪽From your dance family at Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance 🫶🏼’

Michael Flatley and his wife Niamh at the launch of Flatley Whiskey at The Round Room at Mansion House. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Michael Flatley and his wife Niamh at the launch of Flatley Whiskey at The Round Room at Mansion House. Pic: Brian McEvoy

Niamh will lie in repose at a funeral home in her native Co Meath on Friday with her requiem mass following on Saturday at Mount Merrion, Dublin.

A death notice on Rip.ie reads she will lie in repose at Ryan’s Funeral Home, Ashbourne, Co Meath on Friday from 4pm to 7pm.

A funeral mass will take place on Saturday at 11am at the Church of St. Thérèse, Mount Merrion in Dublin. The mass will be live streamed, followed by a private burial.