Funeral details announced for Irish Olympian Ciara Mageean

Funeral details have been announced for Irish Olympian and European gold medallist Ciara Mageean, who died on Sunday aged 34. She will lie in repose at her parent's home on Ballyphilip Road in their native Portaferry, Co Down from Monday. Callers are welcome to the home between 10am and 1pm, and between 3pm and 9pm. The house will be private on Tuesday, the day of the funeral. A funeral mass will be held at 2pm at St Patrick's Church in Ballyphilip, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Bowel Cancer Ireland and hospice charity Marie Curie. Following the news of her death, Mageean was remembered as an inspiration, a sporting hero and a proud daughter of Portaferry. Mageean, a European Championship gold medallist for Ireland in 1,500m, competed at two Olympic Games and holds Irish national records in 800m, 1,000m, 1,500m and one-mile races. She announced in July last year that she had begun treatment for cancer. Earlier this year, she shared the devastating news of her diagnosis of stage-four cancer of the bowel, with a likely terminal diagnosis. She had been widely recognised in recent months for the honesty and bravery with which she spoke about her cancer diagnosis, and the positivity she maintained in the face of such shocking news. 1 / 21 Ciara Mageean celebrates her 1500m final win at the 2024 European Athletics Championships in Rome. Photo: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile 2 / 21 Ireland's Ciara Mageean is congratulated by Norway's Ingvill Makestad Bovim after finishing third. Photo: PA 3 / 21 Ciara Mageean. Photo: Sportsfile 4 / 21 Ciara Mageean is pipped at the post by Poland's Sofia Ennaoui in the women's 1500m final. Photo: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile 5 / 21 Ciara Mageean celebrates her feat in Bern, Switzerland 6 / 21 Ciara Mageean at the launch of 'Girls Play Too – Inspiring Stories of Irish Sportswomen' 7 / 21 Ciara Mageean of Ireland 8 / 21 Ciara Mageean on her way to qualifying for today's semi-finals during yesterday's 1500m heats at the World Championships. Picture by Sam Barnes 9 / 21 Ireland's Ciara Mageean (second from left) competes in the Women's 1500m semi-final 1 on day two of the World Athletics Championships at the National Athletics Centre, Budapest 10 / 21 9 June 2024; Ciara Mageean of Ireland celebrates winning the women's 1500m final during day three of the 2024 European Athletics Championships at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile 11 / 21 Ciara Mageean celebrates her silver medal in the recent Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. 12 / 21 Ciara Mageean is congratulated by Sarah Healy after winning the women's European 1500m final 13 / 21 Middle Distance Athlete of the Year Ciara Mageean with her award during the 123.ie National Athletics Awards ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry. Photo: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile 14 / 21 Alongside Ciara Mageean and her 1,500m bronze medal at Dublin Airport in 2016. Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile 15 / 21 Middle-distance runner Ciara Mageean. Pic:Mark Condren 16 / 21 Ciara Mageean competing in the women's 1500m final during day four of the 2023 World Athletics Championships at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile 17 / 21 European 1,500m gold medallist Ciaran Mageean revealed last week she is battling cancer. Photo: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile 18 / 21 Maeve Kyle with Ciara Mageean at the Belfast Telegraph Sports Awards in 2010 19 / 21 Ciara Mageean battling Laura Muir 20 / 21 19 July 2026; Olympian Ciara Mageean at half-time of the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Galway and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile © SPORTSFILE 21 / 21 MUNICH, GERMANY - AUGUST 19: Silver medalist Ciara Mageean of Ireland celebrates after the Athletics - Women's 1500m Final on day 9 of the European Championships Munich 2022 at Olympiapark on August 19, 2022 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by) Mageean and her long-term partner Thomas Moran were married three weeks ago in a ceremony at Belfast City Hall. They held a celebration of their wedding at Darver Castle in Dundalk, Co Louth, over the October bank holiday weekend. A statement shared to her Instagram on Sunday morning read: 'At 6.30am this morning, Ciara lost her battle with cancer, surrounded by her loved ones. A beloved daughter, sister, wife, friend and inspiration to so many, she will be deeply missed. 'Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.' Born in Portaferry in 1992 to parents Catherine and Christopher, Mageean's first sporting love was camogie, something she credited for what would become her greatest success on the running track. You must enable social media cookies to see this content. You can change your cookie settings under the link below. Change settings An accomplished career in youth athletics led to a debut in senior competition in 2010, culminating in her European Championships gold medal run in Rome in 2024. Speaking after the race, during which Mageean found herself boxed in along the inside of the track by other runners, she told David Gillick: 'I didn't grow up playing camogie to get boxed in.' Just 11 months after that historic gold medal run, Mageean received news of her cancer diagnosis. She went on to release her memoir, My Greatest Race, in June of this year, detailing her life, upbringing, sporting career and navigating life following her diagnosis. 'I wanted the overall message to be one of hope, and I really hope that shines through,' Mageean told the Indo Sport podcast in June following the release of the book. 'That even in the face of what I'm going through, I'm finding things to be happy about, and listen, there's people in situations far worse than me that I observe, and they're still finding hope and happiness every day.' Mageean represented Ireland in two Olympic Games, at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. She was due to compete in a third Games at Paris 2024 before she was forced to withdraw due to an Achilles injury. In addition to European gold, she won European bronze in 2016, a European silver medal in 2022 and won a silver medal at the 2022 Commenwealth Games. Tributes poured in for Mageean from across Irish athletics and society. President Catherine Connolly described her as a 'wonderful athlete' and a 'source of inspiration'. She said: 'As President of Ireland, may I join with all those who have expressed such deep sadness on learning of the death of Ciara Mageean. 'Ciara was a wonderful athlete, a runner who distinguished herself from her junior years right up to the outstanding achievement of becoming a European champion two years ago. 'Throughout that remarkable career, Ciara stood out not just for her exceptional talent, but for her strength and perseverance, for her clear speaking, and for her determination to succeed. It was these qualities that led the public to appreciate her so much, and to be so thrilled for her achievement in Rome. Read more Sinéad Kissane: Ciara Mageean was funny and she was serious. She was ordinary and she was extraordinary. She loved and she was loved 'Since Ciara shared the news of her illness, the public have stood with her, and their affection for her has only grown. She showed the same qualities that marked her running career, and has been a source of inspiration to so many people in their own struggles. 'During this time she also showed her care for others in her advocacy for those suffering in Gaza and other conflicts, ensuring attention for those most in need. 'She was much loved and will be greatly missed. 'May I express my deepest condolences to Ciara's husband Thomas, to all of her family, friends and fellow athletes, and to all those whose lives she touched.' Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: 'Deeply saddened at the untimely passing of Ciara Mageean. Read more Fearless Ciara Mageean on her triumphs, heartaches and cancer battle: 'For me, it's just about being a good person' 'My heartfelt sympathies go to her husband Thomas, all her family and friends.' Lochlann Walsh, the president of the Olympic Federation of Ireland, said: 'Ciara was an extraordinary athlete and an exceptional person. She represented Ireland with distinction and will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.' A statement from Athletics Ireland described Mageean as 'an inspiration to so many'. 'Ciara will be remembered for her courage, kindness and incredible spirit. Our deepest sympathies are with her family, friends and loved ones at this difficult time,' it said. Tánaiste Simon Harris remembered Mageean as an 'extraordinary person' in a post shared on social media. 'Ciara was an inspiration to us all on the track, but the courage and honesty with which she spoke about her cancer diagnosis touched so many people. She gave so many others strength and hope,' Mr Harris wrote on X. 'My thoughts are with her husband Thomas, her family, her friends and the people of Portaferry.' Mageean was remembered as a 'great friend of camogie' by Camogie Association president Brian Molloy. 'In her all too short life, Ciara touched the hearts of so many,' he said. 'She was a great friend of camogie, both as a player and a supporter. She referenced that in arguably her finest moment on the track, after she won gold at the 2024 European Championships. 'Her self-belief and commitment to her craft will always be inspirational, and she will be fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.' Further tributes from the world of sport have followed, with Ireland footballer Amber Barrett writing: 'Devastated. A light of elegance and grace. Jesus Ciara, you've broken a nation. God rest your soul. I'm blessed to have had you in my life.' Read more Ciara Mageean marries long-term partner in Belfast city ceremony Barrett's team-mate and Ireland captain Katie McCabe added on X: 'Truly heartbreaking news to hear about Ciara this morning. Sending all my love & prayers to her loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. We were so lucky to have such an incredible athlete represent our country with so much pride. May she rest in peace.' Mageean's rivals from the track have also expressed their sorrow, with Australian Olympic 1,500m silver medallist Jess Hull adding: 'There are no words. Just the most beautiful person in every way imaginable. 'You will be so missed, our hearts and love are with Tommy and your family. Lucky to have shared some miles with you but even more special to have celebrated milestones at the finish line together, I'm so grateful for every moment, rest easy Ciara.' Scottish distance runner Eilish McColgan said: 'Sending so much love and strength to all your closest. A remarkable person.' And Jake Wightman, the 2022 world 1,500m champion, shared the post in an Instagram story alongside the caption: 'So sad to read this. A real bright light from our sport and the world gone. RIP Ciara.' Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald described Mageean as a 'proud daughter of Portaferry, a European champion and an inspiration to so many across Ireland'. 'Ciara brought us such joy and pride through her incredible achievements on the track, and showed extraordinary courage, strength and grace in the face of her illness. Taken far too soon, with so much more life to live. 'My deepest sympathies to Ciara's husband Thomas, her family, friends and everyone who loved her. Ireland has lost a truly remarkable young woman.'