Olympian Ciara Mageean was a 'talented and inspirational human being'
The former European champion and two-time Olympic runner had been diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer.
Olympian Ciara Mageean was remembered as a “truly remarkable, immensely talented and inspirational human being” in a tribute delivered at her funeral.
Hundreds gathered to honour the runner at the service on Tuesday.
The former European champion and two-time Olympic runner died on Sunday after being diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer.
Those present at the funeral in Portaferry, County Down, included Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill, fellow Olympian Rhys McClenaghan and 1972 gold medallist Lady Mary Peters.
Mageean’s funeral cortege was met with a guard of honour from Portaferry GAC and her former school, Assumption Grammar in Ballynahinch.
Her death came less than three weeks after she married her long-term partner Thomas Moran.
Mourners started arriving at about midday for the 2:00 GMT requiem Mass at St Patrick’s Church.
Family, friends and others paying their respects accompanied the funeral cortege the short distance along the Ballyphilip Road from Mageean’s family home to the church.
Also attending were representatives for Irish President Catherine Connolly and the Irish Government, Social Democratic and Labour Party leader Claire Hanna, GAA President Jarlath Burns and former boxer Paddy Barnes.
European champion Ciara Mageean died surrounded by her loved ones at the weekend.
The Mass booklet featured an image of Mageean’s greatest track achievement, the moment she crossed the line at the 2024 European Championships.
In his homily, Fr Martin Kelly, who knew Mageean from childhood, spoke about her achievements, her love for her husband and the joy and pride she brought to her hometown.
The athlete 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, winning silver in Birmingham in 2022.
Seeing blood in your poo - which may look black or dark red in the toilet bowl - can be a sign of bowel cancer.
If there is no other clear reason for the bleeding, such as piles, the NHS says you should ask for an appointment with your GP.
The NHS also recommends a check-up if you notice changes in your usual toilet habits, such as needing to poo more often, or a pattern of diarrhoea or constipation.
Abdominal pain or lumps, stomach bloating and unexplained weight loss are also symptoms that should prompt a bowel cancer test.
Bowel cancer can also lead to anaemia, which can cause extreme tiredness and shortness of breath.
The earlier bowel cancer is found, the easier it is to treat.