Olympian Ciara Mageean made world a ‘better, brighter, much nicer place', funeral hears

Irish Olympian and European champion Ciara Mageean made the world a 'better, brighter and much nicer place', mourners at her funeral have been told. Ms Mageean, from Portaferry in Co Down, passed away on Sunday morning almost 18 months after being diagnosed with cancer. Hundreds of people attend the funeral of Irish Olympian and European champion runner Ciara Mageean, who died on Sunday © Arthur Allison/ Pacemaker Press In June 2024, she became Ireland's first individual European champion since Sonia O'Sullivan, after winning gold in the 1,500m in Rome. Before her funeral at St Patrick's Church, Ballyphilip, on Tuesday, mourners in the blue-and-yellow jersey of Ciara's GAA club, St Patrick's GAC Portaferry, formed a guard of honour. Crowds packed the church and hundreds more stood outside to pay their respects. She stepped off the ferry onto the slipway like a young sea goddess from the lough, wrapped in the Tricolour, with a smile to warm all Irish hearts Fr Martin Kelly Parish Priest, Portaferry Officiating the funeral, Fr Martin Kelly welcomed Ciara's family and friends and all who had attended. Addressing her husband, Thomas, he said: 'You were the love of her life.' Fr Kelly said he and Ciara had shared a 'lifelong friendship'. He told mourners that even as an eight-year-old girl, Ciara's commitment as an altar server had marked her out. 'Even at that stage, she was committed to her task. Commitment was to play a big part in her life. And hail, rain or snow, she always turned up in good time,' he said. Fr Kelly recalled Ciara's homecoming events, first after winning a silver medal at the World Junior Championships in Canada in 2010. 'When she arrived on the ferry from Strangford, there was a wide circle of Portaferry people to welcome her,' he said. 'She stepped off the ferry onto the slipway like a young sea goddess from the lough, wrapped in the Tricolour, with a smile to warm all Irish hearts. 'She gave me the warmest hug you could imagine. I have always treasured that moment. We were all so proud of her.' Order of service for Ciara Mageean's funeral © Arthur Allison/ Pacemaker Press Fr Kelly said the emotion of Ciara's breakthrough gold medal in 2024 had left everyone in her hometown of Portaferry with 'tears in our eyes, our hearts bursting with joy and pride'. Ciara passed away on Sunday morning at 6.30am, a week after she celebrated her marriage to fiancé Thomas Moran at Darver Castle, Co Louth. The couple had been married in a civil ceremony in Belfast a few weeks earlier. 'There were two events, and she looked radiant, at the centre of each event, dancing and singing, so full of joy and so happy to be able to celebrate her big day with Tommy,' said Fr Kelly. 'She was determined to give everybody a day to remember. 'After the second celebration, she retired to her hospice bed and that was it — she sank lower and lower, but she held on until Sunday just past, the Feast of All Saints.' Read more Cathal Dennehy: Fearless, honest and generous – Ciara Mageean was a fierce competitor and an exceptional human being Read more 'She was a beautiful soul' – Olympic champion Rhys McClenaghan on death of friend Ciara Mageean Fr Kelly said he had visited Ciara in the hospice a few weeks ago. He told mourners the pair had spoken about the challenges of letting go and acceptance. 'We spoke of trust — trusting how well she was loved by Tommy, the love of her life, all her family and friends and people and colleagues all over Ireland and Europe,' he said. 'She had friends everywhere. I said that the reality of all this love was the expression of how God was loving her and cherishing her especially at this time of her life.' Fr Kelly noted that after Ciara received the sacrament of the sick — a Catholic blessing for people facing a serious illness or imminent death — she 'perked up' and the pair went for a walk outside. 'I said, 'Sure,' thinking that it would be easy, because of her condition, [that] I would be able, even at my age of 85, to match her stride for stride. 'But for Ciara, a walk was much more than a 'dander'. We did a round of a few streets and she said: 'Let's go for another round.' I nearly collapsed. 'Then she said: 'OK, let's go back to the room'. On the way down, she knew I was struggling, and she said: 'Let me link you'. 'One of my happiest memories is that — of Ciara Mageean linking my arm as we walked back to her room, just a few weeks before she went to heaven.' Read more 'I always envisioned growing old with Thomas' - how Ciara Mageean showed vulnerability and bravery during cancer battle Read more Ciara Mageean marries long-term partner in Belfast city ceremony Fr Kelly concluded his homily by quoting a tribute from Jimmy Magee, one of thousands paid to Ciara following her death. 'Sometimes, amid the darkness and gloom of our world, a bright light emerges — one that radiates warmth, kindness and positive energy, making our world a better, brighter and much nicer place to call home. Ciara Mageean was one such light,' said Mr Magee. 'A truly remarkable, immensely talented and inspirational human being whose courage, humility, infectious smile and indomitable spirit touched hearts far beyond the world of athletics. 'My thoughts and prayers are with her beloved husband Thomas, her family, friends and the wonderful people of Portaferry who helped shape such an extraordinary young woman. 'The brightest lights never truly fade. Their warmth lives on in the hearts of those they touched.' Fr Kelly finished with the Irish blessing: 'Suaimhneas síoraí dá hanam uasal.' ('May her gentle soul rest in peace.') After the funeral service, Ciara Mageean was laid to rest in the adjoining ceremony. Play podcast The Ciara Mageean interview | My Greatest Race 1:11:29