Irish Olympian and European champion Ciara Mageean dies

Updated / Sunday, 1 Nov 2026 10:11

Irish Olympian and European champion runner Ciara Mageean has died aged 34.

Mageean revealed in July 2025 that she had been diagnosed with stage four bowl cancer.

A short statement on her Instagram account confirmed her passing. It read: "At 6:30am this morning, Ciara lost her battle with cancer surrounded by her loved ones.

"A beloved daughter, sister, wife, friend and inspiration to so many, she will be deeply missed.

"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam."

A two-time Olympian, Mageean made history by winning European 1500m gold of Ireland in Rome in 2024.

The Portaferry woman represented Ireland at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in the 1500m event and was due to compete at the 2024 games before an Achilles injury ruled her just one day before her first heat at the Paris games.

Along with her European gold in 2024, she won European bronze in 2016, silver in 2022 and she also took silver in the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Mageean holds Irish records in the 800m (1:58.51), 1000m (2:31.06), 1500m (3:55.87) and mile (4:14.58).

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