Michael Flatley thanks public for ‘beautiful gestures of sympathy' following death of ‘soulmate' wife Niamh

Michael Flatley has thanked Cork locals for their 'beautiful gestures of sympathy' following the death of his wife Niamh (52) on Monday. In a post online, Mr Flatley thanked the people of Fermoy for their support and posted a picture of the Irish flag flying at half-mast at Castlehyde House 'in memory of our beloved Niamh'. 'We are deeply touched by the kindness and compassion shown by the people of Fermoy,' he said. 'To those who have taken the time to leave flowers at the gates of Castlehyde, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your beautiful gestures of sympathy and support mean more to our family than words can express.' Niamh's funeral arrangements were announced on Wednesday, she will repose at Ryan's Funeral Home in Ashbourne, County Meath on Friday evening from 4pm to 7pm. Her funeral mass will take place the following morning at the Church of St Thérese, Mount Merrion at 11am before a private family burial. A death notice reads how she died peacefully 'surrounded by her loving family in the tender care of the team of the Beacon Hospital'. It adds how she will be hugely missed by her 'heartbroken husband Michael and son Michael St James' alongside her parents Monica and Tommy. She is survived by her sisters Derval and Aoibheann, niece Dempsey Rose, her three nephews Dillon, Lochlann and Lennon. The notice also mentions her 'many wonderful friends from school, college and the dancing world'. It is accompanied by a picture of her performing on stage in a black-and-white ensemble, a huge smile on her face. It is the same image shared earlier this week by her devastated husband Michael (68). The Riverdance star broke the sad news of her death on Monday evening. On his social media, he said his 'heart is broken' after the passing of the woman he described as his soul-mate. Read more 'My heart is broken' - Michael Flatley's wife Niamh (52) has died 'I have lost my beautiful wife, Niamh, and my best friend. My gorgeous bride of twenty 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.' He first met Niamh, whose maiden name was O'Brien and came from Kilbride, Co Meath, through the dancing community. She had been part of the Riverdance story from the very beginning at its initial iteration as a Eurovision interval act in Dublin in 1994. She reached considerable heights during her time performing, coming in fourth place at the World Irish Dancing Championships when she was just 17. Having known her for over a decade, their romance first started in 2005 at a Christmas party that he hosted in his Cork manor of Castlehyde. 'Something just clicked,' he told Hello! magazine in 2007. 'Looking back, I think I realised I loved her in that moment. I caught her eye and she took my breath away. 'I couldn't stop putting my arm around her all night. It felt different – much stronger than friendship. As 2006 progressed, we spent more and more time together, and I knew there was no way I could let this woman go.' Just four months later, Flatley wed her in a romantic October ceremony at St Patrick's Church in Fermoy, Co Cork.