Her death comes just weeks after she married her long-term partner Thomas Moran in Belfast in October
Ciara Mageean celebrates crossing finish line after winning 1500 metres final of 2024 European Athletics Championships. alamy
alamy
Mageean won 1500m gold at the European Championships in Rome in June 2024, having previously claimed silver (2022) and bronze (2016).
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She was forced to withdraw from the 2024 Olympic Games on the eve of her heat in Paris due to a long-running Achilles injury.
The Portaferry native made her Olympic debut at Rio 2016, and also featured at the 2021 Games in Tokyo, where injury also hampered her preparations.
Mageean was crowned 2022 Athletics Ireland Athlete of the Year, and took the Middle Distance honour in 2024. She holds national records over 800m, 1000m, 1500m and the mile.
A statement from Athletics Ireland read: “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.”
Deeply saddened at the untimely passing of Ciara Mageean.
My heartfelt sympathies go to her husband Thomas, all her family and friends.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam. https://t.co/u43ERVrIMv
Martina McCarthy, Mageean’s strength and conditioning coach with the Sport Ireland Institute, is among many others paying tribute.
“Ciara had 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.”
Speaking on the Brendan O’Connor Show on RTÉ Radio 1 today, David Gillick said: “We have to remember Ciara in the most positive of lights because she was just a beautiful person on the track, off the track. She resonated with so many Irish people.”
Meanwhile, Tánaiste Simon Harris said it was “heartbreaking news this morning to hear of the passing of Ciara Mageean”.
“Ciara was an inspiration to us all on the track, but the courage and honesty with which she spoke about her cancer diagnosis touched so many people. She gave so many others strength and hope”, Harris said.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin praised Mageean, who “faced her recent health battles with great courage and dignity”.
Martin added that Mageean brought “immense pride to Ireland” and “left a remarkable sporting legacy”.
Republic of Ireland women’s football team captain Katie McCabe said that “we were so lucky to have such an incredible athlete represent our country with so much pride”.
John Gillooley Instagram
John Gillooley Instagram
Photographer John Gillooley, who photographed Mageean’s recent wedding, spoke of her determination to ensure that nothing got in the way of her big day.
“I only got to know Ciara for such a short time but felt such a connection. I’m sure most of the photos shared today will be of her unbelievable sporting achievements and rightfully so.
“But I just knew her as a bride who was going to celebrate her wedding to the man she loved more than anyone and to throw a big party for her best friends and family and nothing was going to stop her.”
Written by Hannah Power and posted on TheJournal.ie, additional reporting from Emma Duffy
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Irish Olympian Ciara Mageean dies aged 34
IRISH ATHLETE CIARA Mageean has died at the age of 34.
She represented Ireland at two Olympic Games and won 1500m gold at the 2024 European Athletics Championships.
Mageean’s death was announced on social media, following a diagnosis of bowel cancer last year.
“At 6.30am this morning, Ciara lost her battle with cancer surrounded by her loved ones,” a statement on her Instagram account reads.
“A beloved daughter, sister, wife, friend and inspiration to so many, she will be deeply missed.
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.”
Mageean announced her cancer diagnosis in June 2025, and issued updates as she underwent treatment. She published her memoir, My Greatest Race, earlier this year.
Her death comes just weeks after she married her long-term partner Thomas Moran in Belfast in October
Mageean won 1500m gold at the European Championships in Rome in June 2024, having previously claimed silver (2022) and bronze (2016).
She was forced to withdraw from the 2024 Olympic Games on the eve of her heat in Paris due to a long-running Achilles injury.
The Portaferry native made her Olympic debut at Rio 2016, and also featured at the 2021 Games in Tokyo, where injury also hampered her preparations.
Mageean was crowned 2022 Athletics Ireland Athlete of the Year, and took the Middle Distance honour in 2024. She holds national records over 800m, 1000m, 1500m and the mile.
A statement from Athletics Ireland read: “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.”
Martina McCarthy, Mageean’s strength and conditioning coach with the Sport Ireland Institute, is among many others paying tribute.
“Ciara had 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.”
Speaking on the Brendan O’Connor Show on RTÉ Radio 1 today, David Gillick said: “We have to remember Ciara in the most positive of lights because she was just a beautiful person on the track, off the track. She resonated with so many Irish people.”
Meanwhile, Tánaiste Simon Harris said it was “heartbreaking news this morning to hear of the passing of Ciara Mageean”.
“Ciara was an inspiration to us all on the track, but the courage and honesty with which she spoke about her cancer diagnosis touched so many people. She gave so many others strength and hope”, Harris said.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin praised Mageean, who “faced her recent health battles with great courage and dignity”.
Martin added that Mageean brought “immense pride to Ireland” and “left a remarkable sporting legacy”.
Republic of Ireland women’s football team captain Katie McCabe said that “we were so lucky to have such an incredible athlete represent our country with so much pride”.
Photographer John Gillooley, who photographed Mageean’s recent wedding, spoke of her determination to ensure that nothing got in the way of her big day.
“I only got to know Ciara for such a short time but felt such a connection. I’m sure most of the photos shared today will be of her unbelievable sporting achievements and rightfully so.
“But I just knew her as a bride who was going to celebrate her wedding to the man she loved more than anyone and to throw a big party for her best friends and family and nothing was going to stop her.”
Written by Hannah Power and posted on TheJournal.ie, additional reporting from Emma Duffy
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
1500m Athletics Ciara Mageean european athletics championships Ireland Olympics RIP none