"She represented the very best of us, not simply through her extraordinary sporting achievements but through the warmth, dignity and humanity she brought to everything she did."
Irish gold medalist Ciara Mageean has been laid to rest after passing away from bowel cancer at the age of just 34.
The Olympian represented Ireland at the Rio and Tokyo games, and won a gold medal in the 1500m at the European Championships in Rome in 2024.
Hundreds of mourners showed up to St Patrick's Church, near her home in Portaferry in Co Down, with President Connolly and the Taoiseach represented at the funeral by their aides-de-camp.
Speaking on her passing was Fr Martin Kelly who shared stories of his years knowing Ciara, and described her husband Thomas as "the love of her life".
The couple only married a week before her passing, and tributes poured in online when news of her death was shared.
One person's comment online was read out during the mass, which referred to her as "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."
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Fr Kelly also spoke about one of his last visits with her in the Marie Curie Hospice in Belfast shortly before she died.
He said: "I asked her what special graces she needed at that time. We talked about acceptance and how hard it was for her.
"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 recalled.
"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."
He also recalled how the pair went for a walk around the grounds and while he thought he'd be able to keep up with her, when she suggested they do another lap, the 85-year-old's face told her he wasn't up for it.
She linked him back to the hospice, and he shared that he hoped that she will "continue to link us all on our journeys through life".
Main image: Ciara Mageean's coffin is brought to the church Pic: Newstalk
