Hundreds gathered on Tuesday for the funeral of Ciara Mageean, the accomplished Irish runner who passed away earlier this week following a diagnosis of stage four bowel cancer. The service took place at St Patrick’s Church in Portaferry, County Down, and was attended by prominent figures including Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill, fellow Olympian Rhys McClenaghan, and 1972 Olympic gold medallist Lady Mary Peters.
Mageean represented Ireland at the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games and achieved her greatest competitive success at the 2024 European Athletics Championships in Rome, where she won gold in the 1500 metres. She also competed for Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games, securing a silver medal in the 1500m in Birmingham in 2022. Prior to her death, she held the title of European champion.
During the requiem Mass, Father Martin Kelly, who knew Mageean since her childhood, delivered a homily highlighting her athletic accomplishments and personal qualities. He shared a poignant memory of visiting her in hospice shortly before her death, recounting how despite her illness, she had shown concern for his wellbeing and offered him support during a walk. The funeral cortege was given a guard of honour by Portaferry GAC and Assumption Grammar School in Ballynahinch, where Mageean had studied.
Mageean’s death occurred less than three weeks after she married her long-term partner Thomas Moran. Among other attendees were representatives from the Irish President and Government, SDLP leader Claire Hanna, GAA President Jarlath Burns, and former boxer Paddy Barnes. The Mass booklet featured an image commemorating her European Championships victory.
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