Ciara Mageean dies at 34: Irish Olympian and European champion lost cancer fight
The two-time Olympian revealed in June that her oncologist gave her two to three years, then celebrated her wedding at Darver Castle one week before her death.
Irish Olympian and European champion Ciara Mageean has died at the age of 34 after a battle with stage four bowel cancer. Mageean, from Portaferry, became Ireland's second individual European title holder when she won the 1,500-meter gold at the 2024 European Championships in Rome. She joined Sonia O'Sullivan as Ireland's only individual European champion, completing a full set of European outdoor medals for the County Down runner after a bronze in 2016 and a silver in 2022.
Her diagnosis was announced in July 2025 after she kept most details private for nearly a year, revealing that her oncologist had given her two to three years to live. Mageean continued to engage in public life, even filming the TV adventure series "Uncharted with Ray Goggins" in Costa Rica. She spoke candidly about her mortality, stating that she was not scared to die but did not want it to happen anytime soon.
Her death was mourned by many, including Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris, who praised Mageean's courage and the strength she provided to others. Mageean's legacy as an athlete and a person will continue to inspire many.
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- Former Ireland European 1,500m champion dies from cancer aged 34 news.sky.com
- European champion Mageean dies aged 34 after cancer battle channelnewsasia.com
