Conor McGregor pays heartbreaking tribute to 'angel' Sinéad O'Connor after singer dies aged 56

Conor McGregor has paid a heartbreaking tribute to 'angel' Sinéad O'Connor after it was announced she has died at the age of 56.

In a statement released today (26 July), the singer's family said: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time."

Tributes have since poured in for the late musician across social media, including one from fellow Irish national Conor McGregor.

McGregor posted online saying he was 'gutted' by the icon's passing, before penning a longer tribute to the late singer.

He said: "The world has lost an artist with the voice of an Angel. Ireland has lost an iconic voice and one of our absolute finest, by a long shot.

Twitter/@TheNotoriousMMA

"And I have lost a friend. Sinead’s music will live on and continue to inspire! Rest In Peace, Sinead you are home with your son I am sure."

He added: "What a Woman! Rest In Peace, Sinead."

Other fans also offered their words of condolences following the tragic news.

One Twitter user penned: "Very sad. I absolutely love her 'Lion and the Cobra' album. One of my fav albums ever. A great artist. Incredible voice. Prayers for her loved ones."

A second wrote: "Sad day for Ireland, a beautiful Irish legend taken way too soon."

"Feeling a little emotional hearing this news," tweeted another fan, "my deepest condolences to her family and all who knew her."

"It’s rare when you read about the death of a celebrity and it hits you like a truck," expressed a fourth, "RIP Sinead."

Twitter/@TheNotoriousMMA

And a fifth echoed: "So sad to see this terrible news. RIP," while a final Twitter user added: "Speechless and heartbroken — we remember Sinéad O'Connor."

The beloved star, born Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor in Dublin on 8 December 1966, first rose to fame in the late 1980s with her debut album 'The Lion and the Cobra' which turned her into a household name overnight.

She went on to achieve worldwide success in 1990 with a now-famous new arrangement of Prince's song 'Nothing Compares 2 U'.

The track went on be named the number one world single in 1990 by the Billboard Music Awards and she would go on to sell millions of albums across the globe.

O'Connor continued to receive many accolades throughout her career including being presented with the inaugural award for Classic Irish Album at the RTÉ Choice Music Awards just earlier this year.