Portaferry Mourns: Ciara Mageean Funeral
Hundreds attended the service for the Irish runner who won European gold in 2024 and died three weeks after her wedding.
By Harper Laurent ·
Portaferry, County Down, filled with mourners on Tuesday to say goodbye to Ciara Mageean.
The former European champion died on Sunday after being diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer.
Mageean had competed in the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games while representing Ireland.
She also ran for Northern Ireland at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Her death occurred less than three weeks after she married Thomas Moran.
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill attended the service at St Patrick's Church.
Other guests included fellow Olympian Rhys McClenaghan and 1972 gold medallist Lady Mary Peters.
Representatives for Irish President Catherine Connolly were present at the event.
Social Democratic and Labour Party leader Claire Hanna also joined the congregation.
GAA President Jarlath Burns and former boxer Paddy Barnes stood among the attendees.
Mourners began arriving around midday for the 2:00 GMT requiem Mass.
The funeral cortege traveled a short distance from her home on Ballyphilip Road to the church along the Ballyphilip Road to the church. Portaferry GAC and Assumption Grammar provided a guard of honour. A tribute described her as a truly remarkable and immensely talented human being. The Mass booklet displayed a photo of her winning the 1500m gold at the 2024 European Championships in Rome. Father Martin Kelly, who knew Mageean from childhood, delivered the homily. He spoke of her love for her husband and the pride she brought to her hometown. Kelly recalled visiting her in hospice shortly before she died. He noted that she suggested they go for a walk despite her condition. Mageean noticed he was struggling and offered to link arms with him. Kelly told the crowd that this moment remained one of his happiest memories. She asked him to let her link him as they walked back to her room. The NHS lists blood in stools and lasting changes in toilet habits as possible signs of bowel cancer. It also notes abdominal pain, stomach bloating, and unexplained weight loss. The disease can cause anaemia, leading to extreme tiredness and shortness of breath. Earlier detection makes the condition easier to treat.
