Tributes paid to well-known Irish blogger found dead in hotel room on New Year’s Eve

The body of Sinéad McManus (49), who has been described as a hospitality and spa columnist, was found in Rajbag-Canacona in Goa on December 31.

According to local media reports, she was later cremated in accordance with Hindu rites.

Meath native Sinéad, who had reportedly lived and work in Goa for more than a decade, had checked into The Lalit Hotel in Rajbagh Tarir on December 29, along with her female friends from Delhi.

A family member told sundayworld.com Sinéad had met with friends for dinner in the evening of December 30. She made plans to meet friends the following morning for a gym session and a swim followed by breakfast.

However, they became alarmed when she not only failed to appear for the gym and swim, but also missed meeting them for the breakfast.

They enlisted help of the hotel management to gain entry to her room where they discovered that she had passed away.

The hotel contacted Canacona Police who conducted what is described as a “panchnama” which is an “observation by five people” to record evidence and findings that an officer makes at the scene of an offence or a crime.

After consultation with the embassy/consulate, a post-mortem was conducted on the body, which reportedly found the cause of death was due to a heart attack.

According to The Goan, Sinéad’s family were notified and her sister and other relatives arrived in Goa to take possession of the body.

“The family, citing the last wish of the deceased to conduct her final rites in accordance with Hindu tradition, sources informed that her body was accordingly cremated in accordance with Hindu rites in Goa itself,” The Goan reports.

According to her online profile, Sinéad was a hospitality blogger and spa columnist, who also consulted in media and PR, fashion, lifestyle and high-society entertainment and events.

She represented the National Geographic Traveller UK, and the Association of British Travel Agents Magazines in India, and had worked with clients across the country’s travel industry. Her passions included health and beauty, travel and fashion.

On a death notice posted on rip.ie, it states that the McManus family of Candlehill, Oberstown, Tara, regretfully announce the death of their much loved sister Sinéad McManus, “who passed away peacefully in her beloved India on December 31”.

“She was the light in our lives,” it adds.

“Sinead was predeceased by her loving parents Joseph and Bridgie and is survived by her sisters Mary, Mags, Joan and Elaine and brothers John, Andrew, Joseph, brothers in law, sisters in law and many nieces and nephews and extended family as well as friends all over the world.

“She embraced life as a free spirit. A shining star, she touched many hearts all over the world,” the notice reads. “She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.”

It adds that a memorial service in Ireland will take place at a later date.

In the condolences section people have left “heartfelt condolences to Mary and Margaret and the McManus family on the sad passing of Sinéad . May her gentle soul rest in peace”.

Another person has written: “I was so upset to hear of Sinéad’s passing and would like to send my condolences to all of the family.”

Another person recalled how they “first met Sinéad when I interviewed a chatty and bubbly teenager for a position in my Team at a company in Birmingham.

“From the outset I was taken by her and even from that first encounter, I remember so much of what she told me of her upbringing in Ireland and of her family and their dairy farm which was worlds apart from the city life I grew up in.

“We became work colleagues and friends with many a night out in the local pubs and weekends away at Butlins where she was full of life and energy. You could always guarantee that if Sinéad was out, we would have fun!

“Sinéad would come to dinner at my parents as I still lived at home and again she had an impact on my wider family, she just had a beautiful soul and lit up the room.

“I knew she would go far and that she had found her calling after travelling and settling in Goa. We remained in touch for the next 30 years and thanks to social media, never felt too far away.

“So many stories to tell and so many fond memories and photos to treasure. I am deeply saddened by her passing but knowing the impact she has had on this world and those people around her makes me feel privileged to have called her my friend. RIP ‘Shinny’.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said they were aware of the death and has provided consular assistance.

"As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the details of any specific case,” the spokesperson added.