It was announced on Sunday, November 1 that Irish Olympian Ciara Mageean had died at the age of 34.
Since news of her death broke on November 1, tributes have been pouring in for Irish athlete Ciara Mageean.
The European gold medalist in the 1500m was just 34-years-old and died from stage four cancer, which she was diagnosed with in July 2025.
Her family shared the news of her passing on her social media accounts, with photos from her wedding a mere week beforehand being her final posts.
They wrote: "At 6:30am this morning, Ciara lost her battle with cancer surrounded by her loved ones.
"A beloved daughter, sister, wife, friend and inspiration to so many, she will be deeply missed.
"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam."
What Ciara Mageean meant to the town of Portaferry
Ciara Mageean with her 1500m European Athletics Championship gold medal. Pic: Michael Kappeler/dpa/Alamy Live NewsWhen speaking to Lunchtime Live with Andrea Gilligan, Secretary of the Portaferry GAC Sean Young shared how her passing has affected the town and her family.
He said: "We're really a one road in and one road out town and throughout the local area. We're only a small town, maybe 2,500 to 3,000 people widespread, so everybody sort of knows everybody.
"Ciara was just one of those people that just embraced the rural life away from the hustle and bustle. She often spoke that she loved coming back to Portaferry.
"I think, because the demands of being a world-class athlete would have its toll on you and just to get away from all that attention and come back to a small village, that's probably what Ciara really loved.
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"Ciara was very vocal and she was very honest and open about her battle with illness, and we knew the struggles that she was going through.
"In a way, it highlighted to us how much of a fierce competitor she was and how she fought bravely towards the end.
"We'll circle the waggons around for the next few days and stick close and stick together and try and help the family in any way possible we can."
Ciara used her platform to share bowel cancer awareness
Ireland's Ciara Mageean reacts after finishing in 10th place after round one of the women's 1500 metres at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games Pic: Ramsey Cardy/SportsfileBrendan Donlon, Chair of Bowel Cancer Ireland, praised Ciara for her work with the charity and had reached out to them when she went public with her diagnosis.
Mr Donlon explained: "We were only formed by a bunch of volunteers three years ago and only registered as a charity this year, but as soon as she started doing her book publicity, she reached out and said, 'Look, if you folks need my help to raise awareness or to get messages out, please use me.'
"She was really conscious of the reach she had and the leverage she had and the audience she had, and she wanted to make sure she got the message out to as many people as possible."
At just 34 years old, Ciara's age and diagnosis was unusual, with bowel cancer being seen as a disease that is almost exclusively found in people over 60.
In fact, in the last 30 years, the growth rate in the under 50s in Ireland has doubled, and the rate of incidence has gone up significantly in teh 20-34 bracket.
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There's an increase of 74% in the last 30 years, which is higher than any other cancer incidence rate across the spectrum of cancers.
Deirdre "Dee" Fleming is a bowel cancer survivor, and is one of the 14% who survived a stage four diagnosis.
She told Lunchtime Live: "Ciara Mageean showed what we needed in Ireland is a speaker and a wonderful lady to say she was fit and healthy. She didn't think she had bowel cancer.
"And unfortunately, it was caught too late. But she showed awareness and she wanted to raise awareness to the population because we don't have anybody in Ireland to say, I've got stage four.
"Please, please help. Please share the awareness. And she did that. She was so kind to do that while going through chemo.
"It's awful when you go through chemo. And yet she shared awareness for us and she worked with us, which is amazing because a lot more people are talking about their poo today, which is great."
Ciara Mageean remembered by friends
Ireland's Ciara Mageean competing in the Womens 1500m Semi-Final during the 17th IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha Pic: Sam Barnes/SportsfileSpeaking on her life and legacy on The Claire Byrne Show, Gavin Noble, Olympian and Chef de Mission for Team Ireland at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and friend of Ciara's shared how she had a "natural ability" to connect with people.
He said: "She had this incredible, and I would say natural ability, to connect with people.
"She would greet you first with a smile, whether she met you a thousand times or even just once. I think people took joy from her winning and doing well.
"All of her success was shared. It was never her own. And we always sort of knew when the fight was fair, she would always come back and she would always prevail.
"We were all so proud. She always spoke so proudly and warmly about how proud she was to wear the Irish vest.
"When she did speak, when she did compete and no matter the result, she made us all very much proud to be Irish."
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Claire Byrne was also joined by Ciara's friend and sometimes strength and conditioning coach, Martina McCarthy, who echoed Martin Noble's comments.
She shared: "Ciara has just this unique ability to like summon like a force from within or this energy or belief and love and heart.
"But I think it's because she just comes to everything with an open heart. When people say, 'Try your best', she just brings that to everything.
"She allows this rawness and vulnerability to be so that she is like, she's truly someone that knew herself in all her iterations."
Martina also highlighted how passionate Ciara was about mentoring the next generation of Irish athletes and made an effort to "make them feel comfortable" and welcome.
Even in the last few weeks, she was asking Martina if she should reach out to some of the athletes competing in the European Championships as she wanted to help.
Ireland's Ciara Mageean competing in the Women's 1500m Semi-Final during the 17th IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile"She would actively go and seek out to support," she continued. "And she's always, always been like that, despite the fact that athletics is such a singular individual support.
"She never forgot that it was, she felt part of a wider team and she wanted to create something greater than just the individuality of that sport."
David Gillick, Irish international track and field athlete, launched Ciara Mageean's book with her just over the summer, and highlighted how tough her passing is on her family.
Mr Gillick said: "It's tough for her family. It's tough for [her husband] Thomas. I think, everything that was mentioned there by Gavin and Martina, we get an insight into the person Ciara was.
"And, even with the book, I've got to admit, I was extremely nervous launching the book with her because of everything she was going through.
"It was the first night [of the launch] and her family, friends and all the well wishes were there and everybody knew what she was going through. But she was just remarkable on that night in particular.
"We're talking about her boundless energy, the smile on her face. She was there and she was there [as] 100% Ciara. The Ciara that we love."
Tributes have been paid to Ciara Mageean on social media
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Athletics Ireland has released a statement since the news of her passing was announced, paying tribute to one of Ireland's brightest stars.
They shared: "Ciara was a much-loved and inspirational figure who touched the lives of so many. Her courage, warmth and spirit will leave a lasting legacy.
"The thoughts and heartfelt condolences of everyone at Athletics Ireland are with Ciara's family, friends and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.
"May she rest in peace."
Fellow Irish Olympian Phil Healy also paid tribute to Ciara, sharing the announcement post to her Instagram stories and writing: "The most incredible person and bravest warrior.
"Forever an inspiration. You will be so missed. Rest in peace Ciara."
Kelly Harrignton commented on the Instagram post: "Rest Easy Ciara. Thinking of Ciara's husband and family. May God give you all strength in this time."
Katie McCabe wrote: "Rest in Peace Ciara. Sending all my love. Thoughts and prayers."
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Ellen Keane posted a touching tribute on her social media, with an image from Ciara's wedding just a week before he death.
She wrote: "Sweet Ciara. This doesn’t feel real and none of it will ever make sense. We were all so incredibly lucky to have you in this world & maybe that’s why we only got such a short time with you.
"You often say you lucked out, but we were the lucky ones. I’m struggling to find the words right now, which is ironic because you always knew what to say.
"Thank you for being my friend. You have taught me such much about how to be a good person in this world. How to find joy even when it seems impossible.
"My heart is broken but the joy I’m taking from this is that you’re no longer in pain. The golden girl with a heart of gold. Thank you Ciara, I will miss you forever."
Main image: Ireland's Ciara Mageean celebrates with her bronze medal. Pic: INPHO/Morgan Treacy
