Irish middle-distance runner Ciara Mageean, who won European 1500m gold and represented Ireland at two Olympic Games, died aged 34 on Sunday, her family announced.
Her relatives said she died at 6.30 am surrounded by loved ones and described her as “a beloved daughter, sister, wife, friend and inspiration to so many”.
Mageean, from Portaferry in County Down, Northern Ireland, announced in 2025 that she had been diagnosed with cancer.
She won the European 1500m title in Rome in 2024, becoming Ireland’s first individual European athletics champion since Sonia O’Sullivan.
The victory was a career milestone for a runner who held several Irish national records. Mageean competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the Tokyo 2020 Games.
An Achilles injury prevented her from participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics. She married her partner, Thomas Moran, in October, just weeks before her death.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin expressed sadness over her passing and offered condolences to her husband, relatives and friends. Tánaiste Simon Harris described Mageean as a proud Irish athlete and an extraordinary person.
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He recalled her achievements as a European champion and two-time Olympian. Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill praised Mageean’s talent, determination and dedication.
O’Neill said her sporting achievements brought pride to Portaferry and communities across Ireland. She also paid tribute to the runner’s courage during her illness.
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Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly called Mageean an outstanding athlete and ambassador for her sport. Little-Pengelly offered condolences to Moran, Mageean’s family, teammates and friends.
