‘She was our Cork diva’
Cork is mourning the loss of one of its superstars as soprano Cara O’Sullivan joined the heavenly choir this week.
Known for her beautiful singing at home and abroad, her wit and her support for many charities, tributes from the worlds of music and the arts, sport, politics and beyond poured in for Ms O’Sullivan after the 58 year old died on Tuesday.
She was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of early-onset dementia in 2018 and died in the presence of family at Marymount Hospice. She leaves behind her daughter Christine and siblings Aoife, Nuala and Jim. Ms O’Sullivan played to packed out audiences around the world from Cork to Sydney Opera House.
Following her passing, Cork City Council opened an online book of condolences yesterday (Wednesday) at Corkcity.ie.
Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Joe Kavanagh said: “There was deep sadness in Cork and across the country when we learnt of the death of one of our greatest talents and one of our most wonderful personalities.
“Cara was blessed with a voice that could stop you in your tracks when she was played on the radio,” said Cllr Kavanagh.
She received the inaugural Cork Culture Award in 2019 by then Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Mick Finn in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the artistic and cultural life of the city. Speaking with the Cork Independent, he described her as a superstar of the stage.
He said: “She was renowned locally, nationally and internationally for her majestic and beautiful soprano voice. Apart from her masterful and charismatic performances on opera house stages from Cork to Sydney, she was also a great supporter of local groups and indeed was a big supporter of Munster Rugby.
“She lived their motto 'stand up and fight' in the last two years of ill health and leaves a musical legacy that few from Cork have ever done. She was the first recipient of the Cork Culture Award in 2019 and a number of sell-out concerts since in Cork and Dublin were testament to the special place she had in people’s hearts. She was our Cork diva and condolences to her daughter, family and friends in the arts.”
Ms O’Sullivan enjoyed a long association with Munster Rugby with many players paying their respects to her.
Donncha O'Callaghan said he was so sad to hear of her passing: “A beautiful voice and the kindest person. We will never forget the emotional energy she created before our games. Until you hear that bell, that final bell, Stand up and fight like hell! RIP Cara,” he said in a tweet.
While Ronan O’Gara said: “Rest in Peace. You will be dearly missed. Voice of an angel.”
The Cork Folk Festival said that the arts community in Cork is heartbroken with the news of Ms O'Sullivan's death.
“She was an opera singer with an astonishingly breath-taking voice. Cara was well loved by all Cork people, RIP Cara,” they said.
Cork Opera House CEO Eibhlín Gleeson said Ms O’Sullivan's contribution to the arts is immeasurable: “She used her voice to bring joy and hope to anyone who was lucky enough to cross her path.”
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was deeply saddened to hear of Ms O’Sullivan's death: “She had a beautiful voice and the warmest personality. Cork is very proud of her legacy and I will always value our friendship.”
A private family funeral will take place in accordance with current guidelines.