Ciara Mageean remembered as 'immensely talented and inspirational' at funeral in Portaferry

Hundreds of people paid their respects to Olympian Ciara Mageean at her funeral in Portaferry, County Down, on Tuesday, where a tribute described her as a "truly remarkable, immensely talented and inspirational human being". The former European champion and two-time Olympic runner died on Sunday, aged 34, after being diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer. Her death came less than three weeks after her marriage to her long-term partner Thomas Moran. Among those attending the requiem Mass at St Patrick's Church were Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill, fellow Olympian Rhys McClenaghan and 1972 Olympic gold medallist Lady Mary Peters. Representatives for Irish President Catherine Connolly and the Irish Government were also present, along with Social Democratic and Labour Party leader Claire Hanna, GAA President Jarlath Burns and former boxer Paddy Barnes. Mourners began arriving at around midday for the 2:00 GMT Mass. Family, friends and wellwishers followed the funeral cortege the short distance along the Ballyphilip Road from Mageean's family home to the church. The cortege was given a guard of honour by Portaferry GAC and her former school, Assumption Grammar in Ballynahinch. The Mass booklet carried an image of Mageean's greatest achievement on the track, the moment she crossed the line at the 2024 European Championships. In his homily, Father Martin Kelly, who knew Mageean from her childhood, spoke of her accomplishments, her love for her husband and the joy and pride she had brought to her hometown. Kelly recalled visiting her in a hospice shortly before her death, when she suggested they go for a walk. "On the way down, she knew I was struggling and she said, 'Let me link you'," he told mourners. "One of my happiest moments and memories is that of Ciara Mageean linking my arm as we walked back to her room." Mageean represented Ireland at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics and won gold in the 1500m at the European Athletics Championships in Rome in 2024. She also represented Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games, taking silver in Birmingham in 2022. She died surrounded by her loved ones at the weekend. The NHS says blood in poo, which may appear black or dark red in the toilet bowl, can be a sign of bowel cancer, and recommends asking for a GP appointment if there is no other obvious cause such as piles. It also advises a check-up for changes in regular toilet habits, abdominal pain or lumps, stomach bloating and unexplained weight loss. Bowel cancer can also cause anaemia, with symptoms including extreme tiredness and shortness of breath. The earlier the disease is detected, the easier it is to treat.