Source: RTE News
Irish Olympian and European champion Ciara Mageean has died aged 34. Mageean revealed in July 2025 that she had been diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer.
A short statement on her Instagram account confirmed her passing. It read: "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." (May her soul be at the right hand of God)
A two-time Olympian, Mageean made history by winning European 1500m gold for Ireland in Rome in 2024.
The Portaferry woman represented Ireland at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in the 1500m even, and was due to compete at the 2024 games before an Achilles injury ruled her out, just one day before her first heat at the Paris games.
Along with her European gold in 2024, she won European bronze in 2016, silver in 2022 and she also claimed silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Mageean holds Irish records in the 800m (1:58.51), 1000m (2:31.06), 1500m (3:55.87) and mile (4:14.58).
Speaking on RTE Radio in June, Mageean said she was determined to "fit as much living into the years I have left" as she spoke about her stage four cancer diagnosis.
"I am so grateful for the support of the Irish nation," she added. "It's been there for me throughout my entire career. But I feel supported and loved throughout this journey."
Mageean and her long-term partner Thomas Moran were married last month in a ceremony at Belfast City Hall.
