Waterford mourns talented musician Conor Cleare
Conor was the front man of The Unusual Suspects. Photo: Joe Evans
Waterford's music scene is in shock after the sudden death of musician Conor Cleare.
Conor, of Lower Newtown, was the former frontman of the very popular Déise band The Unusual Suspects.
The band have built a tremendous following over the last 16 years, and have toured all over Europe, playing to thousands of people.
Friend and manager Lenny Burns kindly shared a few words about Conor and their time together.
"The band was a really tight unit; you could see when they got on stage it was a different world they were so tight together.
"Everyone was so tuned in, the success they had is reflective of that. He was a very talented young man."
The Unusual Suspects played massive shows across the country and continent. They played to massive crowds on huge stages, including the INEC in Killarney and the Harley Davidson Rally in Austria.
Conor performed as frontman for the last time in August 2024, in a show-stopping performance as part of The Churchyard Sessions here in the City.
The news of Conor's death has devastated many people across Waterford and beyond.
Waterford live band King Kong Company issued a heartfelt statement. They wrote: "All of us at King Kong Company are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of our friend and fellow musician Conor Cleare.
"Conor was a huge musical talent and was someone who many of us had the privilege of sharing the stage with over the years.
"He will be greatly missed in Waterford and will be an enormous loss to the Irish Music Scene."
They ended: "Our heartfelt condolences go to Conor's family, friends and bandmates. RIP Conor."
Conor was described as the "loving partner of Hannah Brennan and adored son of Clare and Brian Cleare and brother to Grainne, Rhos, Siobhan, Maeve, Ciaran, Aoife and Eoghan."
"He will be sadly missed by his brothers-in-law Brian, John, Cal, Ger and Joe, sisters-in-law Paula and Tanya, nieces, nephews, Hannah’s parents Patrick and Lisa and siblings Isabelle, Adam, Emily and Paddy. Conor will be forever missed and cherished by his entire family and his wide circle of friends. May he rest in peace in the knowledge he was loved by so many and so deeply."
Conor will be reposing at Tom Hennessy’s Funeral Home, 45A Johnstown, Waterford (X91FW4A), on Thursday, January 9, from 5pm to 7pm. His Funeral Mass will take place at St. John the Baptist Church, Crooke, Passage East, on Friday, January 10, at 11.00am, followed by Cremation in the Island Crematorium, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork.
No flowers by request please; donations in lieu to Waterford Animal Rescue, 114A Custom House Quay, Waterford.
