Michael Flatley’s wife Niamh dies at 52 after illness

Michael Flatley announced that his wife, Niamh Flatley, has died at 52 after a period of illness. A statement issued on behalf of the family said she died at Dublin’s Beacon Hospital. The statement did not specify a cause of death. Flatley shared the news in a social-media post on Monday, October 5, describing Niamh as his wife and best friend and asking people to keep her, their son and the family in their thoughts. He also thanked those who had offered support. The family said it was devastated by her death and asked for privacy as relatives grieve. The couple’s son, Michael St James, was also named in Flatley’s message. The family statement described Niamh as a wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend, and thanked the doctors, nurses and other staff at Beacon Hospital who cared for her in recent weeks. Niamh and Michael Flatley were approaching their 20th wedding anniversary in October. In an interview in January, Flatley said he had planned a vow renewal to mark the milestone, following a ceremony at Westminster Cathedral for their 10th anniversary. The reports do not say that the planned renewal took place.