Irish dancer Niamh O’Brien dies at 52 after illness

Irish dancer Niamh O’Brien has died at 52 after a period of illness, her husband, choreographer Michael Flatley, announced in a social media tribute. A family representative said she died peacefully at Beacon Hospital in Dublin. The family has not disclosed her diagnosis. Flatley described O’Brien as his wife and best friend and said their lives would never be the same without her. He also asked people to keep their son, Michael St James, and the family in their thoughts. His tribute was accompanied by photographs of O’Brien, including images of her dancing and the couple with their son. A representative for the family said O’Brien had received care at Beacon Hospital in the weeks before her death and thanked the hospital’s doctors, nurses and staff. The family also asked for privacy as it mourned. No specific information about her illness or treatment has been made public. A report that she was due to travel to the United States for specialist care was not confirmed by the family. O’Brien, who was from County Meath, built a career as a professional Irish dancer after competing at a high level as a teenager.