Ronan Keating took to Instagram on Friday, to share a heartbreaking life update, during a family holiday to South Africa.
The pop star, 46, admitted he is having ‘the hardest time’ and is finding the death of his late brother Ciarán five weeks ago ‘difficult to make sense of.’
Ciarán, who was Ronan’s older sibling, died in a car crash in County Mayo, Ireland, aged just 57, on Saturday July 15.
Alongside photographs of wife Storm, 41, and their kids Cooper, six, and Coco Knox, three, Ronan wrote: ‘Hey Everyone. Just wanted to say thank you for the love and respect you have shown my family over the last 5 weeks.
‘It has been the hardest time for us all, and everyone is trying to manage a life now without our brother (very hard to even type that).
Update: Ronan Keating, 46, took to Instagram on Friday, to share a heartbreaking life update, during a family holiday to South Africa, five weeks after the death of his brother
Brothers: Ciarán, who was Ronan’s older sibling, died in a car crash in County Mayo, Ireland, aged just 57, on Saturday July 15
Poignant: Alongside photographs of wife Storm, 41, and their children, Ronan admitted he is having ‘the hardest time’ and is finding the death of his late brother ‘difficult to make sense of’
‘Thank you for all your messages of support and also respecting our privacy during this time.
‘There is no more fitting a place to heal, than in South Africa surrounded by Mother Nature and great people and our little bundles of joy Cooper and Coco, have kept us going constantly. Thank you god.
‘Back to work for me in another part of the world I love now… it all seems rather difficult to make sense of but trying my best. Take care of each other and from Storm, myself and all my family, thank you.’
It comes almost three weeks after Ronan fought back tears as he dedicated one of his biggest hits to his late brother.
The devastated Boyzone star was performing his first live show since the tragedy at Uptown Festival, partnered with Magic Radio, on Blackheath Common in south London.
On a night blighted by heavy rainstorms, Ronan, admitted he didn’t know if he would be able to fulfill his appearance at the event as a result of the tragedy and his brother’s subsequent funeral on July 20.
He told fans: ‘The rain has finally stopped. It’s usually the other way round for me when I do these kind of festivals, as soon as I walk onstage the heavens open but I got lucky tonight – someone’s looking after me.
‘I didn’t know if I was going to be here tonight or not, it’s been quite a time for our family so thank you so much for giving me this warm welcome and I hope we’ll get through this one together – this will be a special one.’
Making memories: He included shots of his son Cooper, six, and daughter Coco Knox, three
Safari: The family made memories together as they enjoyed a safari
The singer was visibly emotional as he launched into a live performance of his 2002 number one single If Tomorrow Never Comes, a song originally released by country star Garth Brooks.
Addressing a father’s love for his daughter, the song’s poignant lyrics reflect on includes poignant lyrics including such as ‘I’ve lost love ones in my life/Who never knew how much I loved them/Now I live with the regret/That my true feelings for them never were revealed.’
Ronan was supported by his wife Storm at his brother’s funeral at St Patrick’s Church in Louisburgh, County Mayo, Ireland on Thursday 20 July.
Ciarán had been on his way to watch his son, Ruairí Keating, play for Cork City FC against Sligo Rovers FC when he became involved in a road collision with two other vehicles.
The father-of-three, from Louisburgh, suffered fatal injuries as he was travelling with his wife Anne Marie on the N5 near Swinford, County Mayo, on a stretch of road known as a black-spot for accidents. His wife was injured in the crash.
The driver of the other vehicle was said to be receiving treatment for serious injuries while Ann Marie, a secondary school teacher, was treated for injuries which are understood to be non-life threatening at Mayo University Hospital.
During the funeral this month, Ronan performed a heartbreaking rendition of This Is Your Song in a moving tribute to his brother.
Emotional: It comes after Ronan fought back tears as he dedicated one of his biggest hits to his late brother, two weeks after he was killed in a road accident
Back onstage: The devastated Boyzone star was performing his first live show since the tragedy at Uptown Festival, partnered with Magic Radio, on Blackheath Common in London
He told mourners during the service: ‘I shouldn’t be singing it in these circumstances but we are and we will.’
The Irish singer said the ballad was written after their mother, Marie, died of cancer in 1998.
The touching song includes the lyrics: ‘You were our friend, walk with you till the end, and one day we’ll all sing along, ’cause this is your song.’
Ronan appeared overcome with emotion as he carried Ciaran’s coffin into the church alongside his family while wearing a black suit and dark glasses.
Before singing, Ronan paid a tearful tribute to Ciaran’s three children – Conall, Ruairi and Aisling – and said they had made their father ‘very proud’.
He told mourners: ‘As a parent all you want to do is raise your children as best you can, Ciaran and Annemarie have done a spectacular job – three incredible human beings.
‘Your strength over the past few days has been incredible and you’ve done your dad very proud.’
Difficult: Ronan was supported by his wife Storm at his brother’s funeral at St Patrick’s Church in Louisburgh, County Mayo, Ireland on Thursday 20 Jul
Tragedy: Ciaran Keating (left), was 57. Pictured: The Keating family including Ronan (right), his father Gerry (second from right) and sister Linda (second from left)
Devastating: Ronan (centre middle right) helped carry the coffin of his brother out of St Patrick’s Church after his funeral. Ciaran’s son Ruairí (behind Ronan) was also there
Storm was pictured consoling her husband at his brother’s funeral. She held Ronan tightly outside St Patrick’s Church in Louisburgh, County Mayo.
Ronan was believed to have rushed to Ireland to be with his family following the tragedy.
He is the youngest of five children with one sister, Linda, and three brothers – Ciarán, Gerard and Gary.
Their dad Gerry was a lorry driver and his mum Marie was a hairdresser.
