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The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
New Sinead O'Connor waxwork plot revealed after controversial €75k model axed from Dublin museum sparked ‘hideous' fury
THE National Wax Museum has said it will unveil a new likeness of Sinead O'Connor on her third anniversary next year. Museum bosses clashed with Advertisement 4 Museum owner Paddy Dunning said that a team of artists are working together to create the new Sinead waxwork 4 Sinead was found dead in her London flat last July aged 56 Credit: Getty Images - Getty The controversial likeness prompted Sinead's brother John O'Connor going on Liveline to blast it as 'hideous' and 'looking nothing like her'. John said it made his sister look like 'something out of the Thunderbirds'. Now, museum owner Paddy Dunning has revealed that rather than using one sculptor, a team of artists are working together to create Dunning told The Irish Sun: 'I wasn't involved in the process of quality control at the Advertisement Read more on Sinead O'Connor Paddy added: 'I'm qualified to get it right, because I knew Sinead since she was 18 and began her music career. 'I was the very first person to record Sinead in Temple Lane Studios, and I was the last to record her in Grouse Lodge studios in The businessman said he could have speeded up creating a new Sinead likeness in time for her second anniversary on July 26, but he decided to let the sculpting team continue their work. Paddy said: 'We know how important it is to get Sinead right. Advertisement Most read in The Irish Sun Breaking Exclusive Exclusive 'So she won't be in the Wax Museum on display next week when all the fans arrive from around the world. 'But we will be projecting Sinead's image onto the walls outside on the Wall Of Fame in Temple Bar and will be displaying her dress and garments at the Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum.' Incredible moment Sinead O'Connor's daughter brings crowd to tears with 'quote' rendition of mum's most famous song The previous Sinead likeness cost €75,000 before it was melted down after intense criticism. The artist responsible, PJ Heraghty, who had successfully created over a 100 waxworks for the museum, said he sensed it would be a disaster when he was first given the job. Advertisement 'DIDN'T WANT TO DO IT' PJ told us: 'No, I didn't want do Sinead O'Connor. That was the gut feeling I had when I was offered the job, and I wish I listened to it. 'I just knew it was going to be problematic to capture somebody as beautiful as Sinead O'Connor and also somebody who so many people connected with.' The He said: 'I started at the beginning of the year, and there were also some health issues which intervened.' Advertisement 'THERE WAS A DEADLINE' The artist said the impending deadline of July 25 meant he didn't have the time he needed to achieve the final details of the likeness. PJ told us: 'There was a deadline, and I also experimented with different methods. That's a dangerous thing to do as a sculptor.' Tragic Sinead was found dead in her London flat aged 56 in 2023. 'We know how important it is to get Sinead right." Paddy Dunning An was a result of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. Advertisement Sinead fans from around the world are expected to descend on Bray, Co Wicklow next week for her second anniversary. They will be making the pilgrimage to her former home on the Coast Road and to a bench dedicated to her outside the Martello Hotel in the town, crafted by artisans from Vale of Avoca and Bray Men's Sheds. 4 Artist PJ Heraghty sensed it would be a disaster when he was first given the job Credit: Garrett White - The Sun Dublin 4 Fans of Sinead were devastated following her death Credit: Getty Images - Getty Advertisement
Irish Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
New Sinead O'Connor wax figure plans scrapped after backlash to 'hideous' statue
Plans for a new Sinead O'Connor wax statue have been officially scrapped after last year's failed attempt, the Irish Mirror can reveal. Last July, The National Wax Museum came under fire after they unveiled a waxwork of the late 56-year-old singer, who died in July 2023, to coincide with the first anniversary of her death. At the time, the National Wax Museum said they were 'committed' to making a new wax statue after significant public backlash. But we can reveal that those plans have been officially scrapped. A spokesman for the museum said no wax work had been commissioned after the backlash. 'Not sure if that was something said in the moment or something misquoted in the media," the spokesman said. Among those who criticised the original figure was O'Connor's brother, John. He said he was shocked when he first saw the waxwork online and said it was "inappropriate". "It looked nothing like her and I thought it was hideous," he told RTÉ's Liveline at the time. He added that the figure looked "between a mannequin and something out of the Thunderbirds". A statement from The National Wax Museum at the time read: "In response to the public's feedback regarding the wax figure, we acknowledge that the current representation did not meet our high standards or the expectations of Sinéad's devoted fans. "We have listened closely to the reactions and agree that the figure does not fully capture Sinéad's unique presence and essence as we intended." The museum said O'Connor's impact on music is "immeasurable" and its goal was to honour the late singer in the "most fitting and respectful manner". "With this in mind, we are committed to creating a new wax figure that better reflects Sinéad O'Connor's true spirit and iconic image," the statement added. "Our team of skilled artists will begin this project immediately, ensuring that every detail is meticulously crafted to celebrate her legacy appropriately." It said the museum looks forward to unveiling a new figure that "truly honours" O'Connor and her "extraordinary impact". But those plans have now been officially scrapped. An insider told us: 'It would be great if there was something in memory of Sinead, perhaps a publicly-funded sculpture. 'Although, I'd say artists will be wary of creating anything representational given the backlash to the wax figure. A park named after her would be nice.' In July 2024, artisans from the Vale of Avoca and Bray Men's Sheds unveiled a bench in memory of O'Connor in her hometown in the Wicklow town.
