The Newshound

Irish Olympian and European champion Ciara Mageean will be laid to rest in Portaferry this afternoon, weeks after her wedding

Ciara Mageean, draped in an Irish tricolour after winning 1500m gold at the European Athletics Championships, was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in May 2025 and died on Sunday, one week after marrying Thomas Moran.
Ciara Mageean, draped in an Irish tricolour after winning 1500m gold at the European Athletics Championships, was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in May 2025 and died on Sunday, one week after marrying Thomas Moran.
Ciara Mageean, who died on Sunday aged 34, was surrounded by her family at the time of her death, having faced her illness with what those close to her described as a fighting spirit.
Ciara Mageean, who died on Sunday aged 34, was surrounded by her family at the time of her death, having faced her illness with what those close to her described as a fighting spirit.

Ciara Mageean's funeral mass begins at 2pm today at St Patrick's Church in Ballyphilip, Portaferry, with burial in the adjoining cemetery, less than three weeks after she married Thomas Moran in Co Louth. The European 1500m champion died at 6.30am on Sunday aged 34 after a battle with stage four bowel cancer.

Stormont Assembly united in tribute, with First Minister Michelle O'Neill calling Mageean a 'champion of champions' and Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pledging to explore a lasting sporting legacy in her honour.

Her close friend, British runner Phily Bowden, learned of her death on a bus to the New York City Marathon start line and said she 'gave it everything' in her honour.

Her family has requested donations to Bowel Cancer Ireland and Marie Curie in lieu of flowers.

MoreLBCFuneral to be held for 'beloved' Irish Olympic star Ciara MageeanEvening StandardFuneral to be held for Irish Olympic star Ciara MageeanBBC News - UK'She never forgot her roots' - hometown tributes to Ciara MageeanEvening StandardStormont chamber unites in sadness at loss of Olympian Ciara MageeanEvening StandardIrish Olympian Ciara Mageean dies aged 34Irish IndependentFuneral of Ciara Mageean to take place in Olympian’s hometown of Portaferry, Co Down
Read today's full feed at The Newshound →