Molly Leigh Burton is the middle child of two people who worked in music at a high level. Her mother, Dolores O’Riordan, was the lead singer of The Cranberries, a rock band known worldwide. Her father, Don Burton, worked as a tour manager in the music business, including for Duran Duran. Because of her parents, Molly grew up close to music, but she has kept a low-profile life. Most information about her comes from reliable news reports written about her mother, not from Molly herself.
Personl Information
Item
Detail
Full name
Molly Leigh Burton
Known for
Daughter of Irish singer Dolores O’Riordan (The Cranberries) and Canadian music manager Don Burton
Family
Older brother Taylor Baxter Burton and younger sister Dakota Rain Burton; stepbrother Donny Jr. (from Don Burton’s previous relationship)
Birth year (approx.)
Early 2000s (she was 16 in January 2018)
Family roots
Ireland (mother) and Canada (father)
Parents’ timeline
Marriage in 1994, separation/divorce reported in 2014
Notable public moments
Present at her mother’s funeral (2018); Bad Wolves donation to O’Riordan’s children (2018)
Public profile
Private; limited verified public information
Family background
Dolores O’Riordan and Don Burton married in 1994. They had three children together: Taylor, Molly, and Dakota. Reports show that the couple later split in 2014. This family story is important when we talk about Molly, because it explains the two parts of her world, Ireland and Canada, and the reason she is known to many people.
When Dolores died in January 2018, many news outlets wrote about her life and her family. They named her children and also gave their ages at that time. These reports said Molly was 16 in January 2018. This tells us that Molly was born in the early 2000s. However, an exact birthday is not confirmed by major news outlets. It is best to use only what trusted sources say, and those sources give the age, not the full birth date.
Childhood and places
Because of her parents’ work, Molly’s childhood included Ireland and Canada. Her mother was from County Limerick in Ireland and became a global star with The Cranberries. Her father is Canadian and worked on big tours. This mix of Irish and Canadian life shaped the family’s story. Public reporting and biographies of O’Riordan describe years living in Ireland and periods when the family lived in Canada, which explains why some reports later noted the children being with their father there.
It is natural to wonder if Molly also plays music. There is no confirmed reporting from trusted sources about her own career or studies. She has chosen privacy, and there are no verified public accounts with regular updates from her. Because of this, it is respectful to avoid guessing about her education, job, or hobbies.
Life after loss
Dolores O’Riordan died on 15 January 2018. A funeral service took place in Ireland a week later. News reports from that time say that Molly, her siblings, and their father were among the mourners. The service showed how much Dolores and her family meant to people in Ireland and around the world. For Molly, it was a very public moment during a very private and painful time.
In June 2018, the rock band Bad Wolves donated $250,000 from their successful cover of “Zombie” to Dolores’s children. News from Irish media confirmed that the cheque was presented in New York and was for Taylor, Molly, Dakota, and Donny Jr. This story is often mentioned because it shows how the music community tried to support O’Riordan’s family, including Molly.
A private young adult life
From the available and reliable sources, one clear point stands out: Molly is not a public figure. She has not given interviews and does not appear often in official media reports. This is common for children of well-known people. Many choose a quiet life. For writers and fans, the best approach is care and accuracy—share what is confirmed and avoid personal details that are not public.
This article follows that rule. It builds a picture of Molly’s life using facts that serious outlets reported about her family, such as obituaries, funeral reports, and verified interviews. These sources confirm the family names, the marriage and separation dates of her parents, the ages of the children in 2018, the presence of the family at the funeral, and the later donation to the children.
The music around her
Even if Molly stays private, music is a large part of her family’s identity. Her mother’s work with The Cranberries with songs like “Linger”, “Dreams”, and “Zombie” touched many people. Her father’s career in touring also connected the family to the music world. Growing up in that setting can influence anyone’s taste and memories, even if they decide not to be in the public eye.
What we know and what we do not
What we know from strong sources:
Molly is the middle child of Dolores O’Riordan and Don Burton.
She was 16 in January 2018, so she was born in the early 2000s.
She attended her mother’s funeral with her siblings and father.
In 2018, a donation from Bad Wolves was made to Dolores’s children, including Molly.
Her parents married in 1994 and split in 2014.
What we do not know from strong sources:
Exact birth date (many websites repeat a date, but major outlets do not confirm it).
Her education, career plans, or current location.
Any official social media for Molly herself.
This difference matters. It helps readers tell solid facts from guesses.
Why people search for her
Readers often search for Molly because they love Dolores O’Riordan and the music of The Cranberries. They want to know how the family is doing. It is normal to be curious, but it is also important to respect privacy. When a person is not a public figure, the right way to write about them is to use verified facts and a kind tone. That is what this article aims to do.
Final note
This article uses clear, easy English and trusted information. It shares what is confirmed and avoids personal details that are not public. In this way, it respects Molly Leigh Burton and her family while giving readers helpful background.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is Molly Leigh Burton? Molly is the daughter of singer Dolores O’Riordan and music manager Don Burton. She is the middle child in the family.
How old is she? Reliable reports said Molly was 16 in January 2018. That means she was born in the early 2000s.
Does Molly work in music? There is no confirmed public information about Molly’s own career. She keeps a private life.
Where did she grow up? Her family story includes Ireland and Canada, reflecting her mother’s Irish roots and her father’s Canadian background.
Was Molly at Dolores O’Riordan’s funeral? Yes. News reports named her among the family at the service in January 2018.
What help did the family receive after Dolores’s death? In June 2018, the band Bad Wolves gave $250,000 from their cover of “Zombie” to O’Riordan’s children, including Molly.
Who are Molly’s siblings? Her brother is Taylor Baxter Burton, and her sister is Dakota Rain Burton. She also has a stepbrother, Donny Jr.
When did her parents marry and separate? They married in 1994 and later separated; reports say the split happened in 2014.
Is Molly on social media? There are no verified public accounts confirmed by major outlets. Because she is not a public figure, details about her online life are not reported.
Why is it hard to find more details about her? Molly chooses privacy. Major news stories about the family focused on her mother’s life and music, not on personal details about the children, which is normal and respectful.
