Tributes flood in as funeral arrangements announced for Olympic athlete Ciara Mageean

The 34-year-old passed away after a battle with cancer.

The 34-year-old passed away yesterday following a year and a half long battle with bowel cancer.

According to a funeral notice published today by Safely Home, Mageean's funeral will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, at St Patrick’s Church, Ballyphilip, Co Down at 2pm followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.

She will repose at her parents’ home today, with callers welcome between 10am and 1pm and from 3pm to 9pm.

The house will be private tomorrow and Mageean's family has requested family flowers only, with donations, if desired, to Bowel Cancer Ireland and Marie Curie.

Tributes have flooded in for the former European Champion, with Irish athletics team manager Patsy McGonagle remembering her as "a dream".

“She was so grounded, so straightforward, so easy to deal with.”

He further recalled the athlete's determination, which helped her comeback from injuries throughout her career.

“She bounced back from that, and you know she just worked at it, worked at it, worked at it, and it all came good for her in the end.”

President Catherine Connolly also paid tribute to Mageean, calling her a "source of inspiration to so many people in their own struggles”.

Several Irish sports stars paid tribute on social media, with Kelly Harrington saying: "Rest Easy Ciara, thinking of Ciara's husband and family, may god give you all strength in this time."

Former Irish race walker Rob Heffernan commented: “This is devastating. Thoughts and prayers with Ciara’s beautiful family on this sad day. What a gift she was to the world.”

Australian athlete Jessica Hull, described Mageean as “the most beautiful person in every way imaginable”.

"Heartbreaking. Sending my love and prayers to her family and friends. She was such a beautiful person," wrote Katie Taylor.

Her passing was confirmed yesterday with a short statement on her Instagram account, reading: "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."

The County Down woman won gold at the 2024 European Athletics Championships, becoming the first Irish European champion since Sonia O'Sullivan.

She holds four European Athletics Championship medals, as well as a silver medal from the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Mageean won three silver medals at World and European level in the U-18 and U-20 age groups and proudly represented Ireland at both the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

She holds four Irish records and multiple national titles.