Irish Olympian Ciara Mageean has been laid to rest following her funeral Mass in county Down today.
The European gold medalist sprinter, aged 34, lost her battle with cancer on Sunday.
Mageean, from Portaferry in County Down, had celebrated her wedding just last Sunday – a week before she died.
Hundreds gathered at St Patrick’s Church in Portaferry, County Down, to say goodbye to the Irish athlete.
The sprinter was known for representing Ireland twice in the Olympics before winning gold in a late surge at the 2024 European Championships in Rome.
Her husband Thomas carried her coffin, while young players from Portaferry GAA formed a guard of honour.
She was buried in the cemetery adjoining St Patrick’s Church following her funeral Mass.
Her funeral heard of her determination, her love for her husband and family, her deep roots in Portaferry, and the extraordinary joy she brought to others.
The homily was delivered by Fr Martin Kelly, a lifelong friend who had known Mageean since she was just eight years old.
Mourners were told by Fr Kelly how Mageean was determined to give her family and friends a special celebration of her marriage to Thomas Moran, despite her illness.
“She was determined to give everyone a day to remember,” said the priest.
Fr Kelly added that Ciara had spoken to him about the courage she needed to accept her situation.
He said that despite her stage four bowel cancer diagnosis, she was “radiant, dancing and singing with joy” the celebrations held at Darver Castle just days before her death.
He told her husband: “Thomas, you were the love of her life.”
The Gospel of the Wedding at Cana was read aloud, and was connected to the recent celebrations.
The priest and family friend said it was hid hope that Ciara would continue to bring people together on their journeys through life and towards heaven, where they would meet again.
Mageean’s victory in the 1,500m final in Rome in 2024 was recalled, as mourners heard how having been boxed in by two runners, she waited for an opening before surging through to win gold.
On her European Championship gold medal, the congregation heard that it brought “sheer joy lifting us all.”
Loved ones heard how Mageean had a fighting spirit, recalling how so many watched with pride as she stood on the podium beaming and draped in the Irish tricolour.
“We all had tears in our eyes, our hearts bursting with joy and pride,” the church heard.
Fr Kelly also recalled Ciara’s kindness and the friendship she showed to others in her final weeks, describing a recent visit to see Ciara in hospice, where he administered the sacrament of the sick.
Despite her sickness. she suggested they go for a walk; when she realised Fr Kelly was struggling, she offered to link arms with him, mourners were told.
Fr Kelly said that this was one of his happiest memories of her, recalling how she continued to show care for others even when she was so ill.
“She represented the very best of us, not simply through her extraordinary sporting achievements, but through the warmth, dignity, and humanity that she brought to everything she did,” the funeral was told.
Representatives of President Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill, SDLP leader Claire Hanna and GAA president Jarlath Burns were in attendance today.