Funeral details for Niamh Flatley announced
Reposing in Ashbourne on Friday before Saturday Mass in Dublin
The late Niamh Flatley (nee O'Brien), who died suddenly on Monday, will lie in repose in Ryan's Funeral Home, Ashbourne, on Friday, before a funeral Mass in Dublin on Saturday.
There was widespread shock and sadness in the entertainment world and across the country on Monday evening as dancer Michael Flatley announced the death of his wife, Niamh, at the age of 52. Niamh, also a former dancer, was a native of Kilbride, Clonee, and married Michael Flatley 20 years ago this month, in October 2006, in Fermoy, Co Cork.
Flatley, former 'Riverdance' and 'Lord of the Dance' star, first revealed the then 32 year-old-Kilbride woman, also a star of the dance shows, as his new romantic interest at a press briefing for the Celtic Tiger dance show at the Four Seasons Hotel, Dublin, in June 2006.
They became engaged and were married close to his restored Castlehyde mansion home in Cork.
On Monday, Flatley posted: "My heart is broken. I have lost my beautiful wife, Niamh, and my best friend. 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. Thank you for all the love and kindness you have shown us. Please keep Niamh, Michael St James, and our family in your thoughts and prayers."
Michael St James is the couple's son. Niamh was last seen in public when the family met Pope Leo at the Vatican.
Niamh and her sisters, Derbhal and Aoibheann, took part in the original Eurovision Song Contest Riverdance interval act in 1994. She learned her dancing at the Marie Duffy School and the O'Shea School of Irish Dancing in Clonsilla. She later left Riverdance and joined the Flatley show, Lord of the Dance, and performed the flamenco dance act in his Celtic Tiger show.
The O'Briens grew up in Kilbride, and Niamh's parents are both retired schoolteachers, Tommy in a secondary school in Dublin and Monica in an Ashbourne primary school. The family have a lot of connections across the county and particularly around the Navan area, as the O'Brien family are originally from Rathkenny.
Death Notice
FLATLEY (née O’Brien), Niamh, 5th October, 2026, Castlehyde House, Fermoy, Co Cork, formerly of Kilbride, Co Meath. Peacefully, surrounded by her loving family in the tender care of the team at the Beacon Hospital.
Niamh will be hugely missed by her heartbroken husband Michael and son Michael St. James, her mam and dad, Monica and Tommy, sisters Derval and Aoibheann, niece Dempsey Rose, nephews Dillon, Lochlann, Lennon and all her Flatley nieces and nephews, brothers-in-law Jay and Pat, sisters-in-law Annie, Liza, Thoma and their spouses, extended family and her many wonderful friends from school, college and the dancing world.
May her gentle soul Rest in Peace.
Reposing at Ryan’s Funeral Home, Ashbourne, Co. Meath, A84 CX52 on Friday, 9th October, from 4pm to 7pm. Niamh’s Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday morning, 10th October, at the Church of St. Thérèse, Mount Merrion, A94 YW74 at 11am followed by a private family burial.
House private.
For those unable to attend Niamh’s Funeral Mass, view it live by clicking here.
To leave a private message of condolence, please click here.
All enquiries to Massey Bros., Goatstown on (01) 268 8828.