A light went out across Ireland yesterday morning with the passing of Ciara Mageean. We all know that death is inevitable. None of us can ever be prepared for it. To have shone so brightly in so many ways, and to be gone at 34, seems so wrong on so many levels.
I had the pleasure of interviewing her on a number of occasions, including once during the pandemic, when the conversation rolled around to her strong faith, something we laughed about later that may have played a part in her getting to meet Pope Francis down the line. Hopefully that faith will have given some comfort in the final days.
The chats were never in a straight line. The last time we spoke before her diagnosis, we got to talking about the Irish language, and we ended up making a pinky promise that we would host a chat on stage after the LA games, which we would conduct entirely through Irish, both of us having gone off and learned enough to get us through. Now that one is just on me.
She was always about the joy she got from life, on and off the track, of stopping to enjoy the moments all around us, of time with family and friends.
The tributes paid over the last 24 hours are a testament to who she was and how she impacted all of us. We have published some of those below. They are the public ones, but she will be remembered most deeply in the private, quiet moments. By her husband Tommy and her parents and siblings, of course. But also by Sinéad Galvin, a constant throughout her career as her agent, and by Cliona Foley, who got to write the record of her life in her biography, published only in the summer.
Ciara was interviewed on the Brendan O’Connor show on RTÉ as part of the launch. You could not but have your heart go out to her as she told the story of what she knew at the time were likely to be the final chapters, the final lap. You couldn’t hold back tears as O’Connor asked her toward the end of the conversation, “Are you scared?”
“I don’t know if I’m scared. I don’t know if fear is the thing I feel. Just complete sadness that I don’t get to have what I had before.”
“Where I, like all of us, are just planning our lives ahead.” “Where I was like, brilliant, I’m going to finish out my career, and then me and Tommy are going to move out of our wee semi-detached, and maybe we’ll buy a nicer house, and maybe I’ll convince him to move down the peninsula to Portarferry.”
“That we’ll start a family, and I’ll have kids, and that they’ll go through school and then through University, and then I’ll have grandkids, and I’ll get to be a granny, and as a parent and a grandparent I’ll get to bring them to all their sporting events, that I’ll get to watch Tommy grow old, and that I’ll have so many celebrations with my friends and family throughout the years.”
“And I get emotional thinking that I don’t really have the luxury of thinking that anymore, that it might be a reality if this treatment works and I get to live into my old age, but the odds are stacked against me and it’s unlikely, and that’s really, really hard. I mourn the loss of things I never had. I mourn the loss of being able to return to my sport and having that farewell race. I mourn the loss of a family that I always really, really wanted.”
“I feel like the hourglass is so much more obvious for me now. That time ticking down, and I have so many more beautiful things to look forward to.”
She had her marriage; the photographs are so beautiful and now so poignant. Her words were the story of a life, of all of our lives. Most of us get to live out our hopes and dreams, but only when we think of those who don’t do we reflect on how lucky we are.
Ciara Mageean was a great athlete, but so much more; she was a beautiful soul, one who will have left an indelible mark on everyone she met.
We never got to have that interview as Gaeilge, but I will never forget her. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis. May her soul be at God’s right hand.
Here is the final interview we did together in January 2025, on role models and so much more…
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Tributes paid…
Athletics Ireland is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ciara Mageean.
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.
– Athletics Ireland
It is with deep regret that we learned this morning of the passing of Ciara Mageean OLY.
Ciara was one of Ireland’s most gifted and admired athletes.
Besides her numerous sporting achievements, she inspired a generation through her warmth, humility, talent and determination. Her passion for sport and proud representation of Ireland earned her the respect and affection of teammates and competitors around the world.
The Olympic Federation of Ireland extends its deepest sympathies to her husband Thomas, parents Catherine and Christopher, and family, and to her many friends throughout the sporting community. Our thoughts are with all who knew and loved her at this profoundly sad time.
Lochlann Walsh, President of the Olympic Federation of Ireland, said:
“Ciara was an extraordinary athlete and an exceptional person. She represented Ireland with distinction and will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.”
Peter Sherrard, Chief Executive of the Olympic Federation of Ireland, said:
“The country has lost a hero. A hero who left us far too young. Ciara’s achievements will endure, but it is her warmth, character and impact on those around her that will be remembered most.
Our sincere condolences go to her loved ones at this very sad time.”
Athletics Head of Performance Services at Sport Ireland Institute and Sydney Olympian Martina McCarthy said:
Ciara has been a true Irish warrior in everything she has done in life. I have had the privilege of working with her since she was a teenager and have witnessed the grit and brilliance she brought to everything she did. She is an immense loss to all who knew her and will be deeply missed. She was a true legend.
– Olympic Federation of Ireland
I am deeply saddened by the untimely death of Ciara Mageean, a woman whose searing honesty both trackside after races and over the past couple of years in dealing with her illness secured her a place in the hearts of people all over the island.
Ciara exemplified all that is good about sport and community in Ireland. Even as she won races around the globe she remained incredibly connected to her own people in Portaferry. My thoughts go out to her husband Thomas, her family, her friends and to all who came to know her through sport and beyond.
Her joy in winning 1500 metres gold at the 2024 European Championships was shared by all who follow sport and her bravery in dealing with the cruel illness that followed was admired by everyone. She has been a role model for the next generation of Irish athletics and, as long as races are run on this island, her memory will not be forgotten.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
– Minister of State for Sport Charlie McConalogue
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Image Credit: Athletics Ire;and
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