Sinéad: I can’t wait to be a granny

Sinéad O’Connor has revealed she can’t wait grow old and become a granny.

The outspoken singer, who features on the cover of next month’s Irish Tatler, also reveals that motherhood is the most important part of her life.

O’Connor, who has four children aged from 5 to 25, said she is already pestering her oldest offspring to produce some grandchildren.

“I’ve always wanted to be a granny so that is definitely part of my plan. I keep nagging the kids about it but I think I’m putting them off.

“I like getting older and I’m going to enjoy being an old lady.”

She said her biggest achievement when she looks back on her life was her children and her relationship with God.

“One day I’m going to be on my deathbed and all I want to know is that I have been a good enough mother which is all you can be.

“And that I stood by what I really believed to be true spiritually.”

And she said she has no regrets about ripping of the Pope’s picture 20 years ago during the height of her fame in America. The infamous stunt on Saturday Night Live in 1992 was intended as a protest against child abuse in the Catholic Church but caused outrage among Americans and her promising career in the US imploded overnight.

Two weeks later she was booed off stage at a tribute concert for her idol, Bob Dylan, and her records were publicly smashed.

She told Tatler: “I reject anything I know to be an anathema to the contract I made with the Holy Spirit even if that is fame and glory and money. People imply that I destroyed my career ripping up a picture of the Pope but I would say, no, it depends on how you define success. Success to me is can I get to the end of my life having kept that contract and that is all that really matters.”

O’Connor, who received critical acclaim for her latest album, recently cancelled tour date due to ill health.

She said she is almost ready to begin performing again but she insists she is not motivated by fame or money.

“I want to pay my bills and make money like anyone else but you don’t need more than you need.

“I wasn’t well. At the moment I am in recovery mode. We are working on the Van Morrison method of touring which means I am not away more than three days a week. He does a gig on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and then he’s home again.”

The singer also said she doesn’t understand why women are waiting for permission to become priests.

“If I had not been ordained I would go around wearing [her priest’s collar] it anyway as an artistic statement that a woman has no boundaries.

“I don’t have to wait for permission. I don’t understand why women are waiting for permission.”