Ciara Mageean laid to rest after death from bowel cancer

Irish Olympic middle‑distance runner Ciara Mageean, 34, was buried after dying of bowel cancer.

Mageean, a gold medallist in the 1500 m at the 2024 European Championships in Rome, had represented Ireland at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Games. Hundreds gathered at St Patrick’s Church near her home in Portaferry, Co Down, for the funeral.

The service was attended by representatives of President Michael D. Higgins and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who sent aides‑de‑camp. Fr Martin Kelly, who had known Mageean for years, spoke of her warmth, dignity and humanity, and read an online tribute describing her as “a truly remarkable, immensely talented and inspirational human being”.

Fr Kelly recalled a recent visit to the Marie Curie Hospice in Belfast, where Mageean discussed acceptance, trust and the love she received from her husband Thomas, whom she had married a week before her death.

Tributes highlighted Mageean’s courage, humility, infectious smile and indomitable spirit, noting the impact she had beyond athletics across Ireland and Europe.

Source: Newstalk. Photo: Jan Wright / Pexels.