Saoirse was a wonderful little angel, now a Saint
Funeral remembers cancer warrior, 12
THE funeral of Saoirse Ruane, who captured the nation’s hearts with her battle against bone cancer heard she will be remembered as a “wonderful little angel” who is now the “Saint of Kiltullagh”.
The youngster, 12, who was the inspiration for the annual Late Late Toy Show Appeal, passed away last Tuesday following her long illness.
Hundreds of people lined up outside St Peter and Paul’s Church in Kiltullagh, Co Galway, yesterday.
The funeral cortege, led by two Garda motorbike riders, arrived at the church for her funeral Mass.
Pupils from Kiltullagh National School, where Saoirse attended, formed a guard of honour with GAA and athletics clubs.
Chief mourners included parents Ollie and Roseanna, sister Farrah Rose, half-sister Rebecca, grandparents Anne Ruane and Tony and Ann Brehony plus family and friends.
Earlier, Roseanna shared a message on social media, saying: “One last Mother’s Day with you before you go. So grateful to have you today, Saoirse. RIP 10/3/24.”
Those present included Col Stephen Howard, Aide-de-camp of President Michael D Higgins, and former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy.
Tubridy posted on Instagram earlier he was “making a brief journey home to say goodbye to Saoirse”.
He also said he will be “bringing the thousands of messages” people posted offering their condolences on the passing of brave Saoirse.
Fr Declan Mcinerney told the congregation how Saoirse is a “wonderful little angel” and is “now our saint of Kiltullagh”.
Among the gifts brought to the altar to represent the little girl’s life was a photo of the Galway People of the Year Award which she won at 11.
Other items included her hurl, medals representing her joy at playing camogie, and her beads of courage from Crumlin Hospital, each representing an operation, treatment, procedure or chemo she underwent.
A harp symbolising her love of music, a school photo representing her friends and a photo of her first pet Willow were also presented.
Saoirse was diagnosed with bone cancer in November 2019, aged seven.
She captured the hearts of the nation when she appeared on the 2020
Late Late
One last Mother’s Day with you before you go. So grateful.. ROSEANNA RUANE TRIBUTE TO SAOIRSE
Toy Show and spoke openly about her fight against an osteosarcoma tumour on her fibula.
The treatment led to intensive chemotherapy and the amputation of her right leg and she was fitted with a prosthetic. Her courage inspired the establishment of the RTE Toy Show Appeal and €6million was donated in hours.
Since then more than €17.5million has been raised by the annual appeal.
News of her death was shared by her family to their social media channels last Thursday, stating: “After a long, courageous and dignified battle our hearts are shattered to tell you our beautiful little Saoirse took her final breath in our arms on Tuesday.
“We thank you, our lovely followers for holding Saoirse and us in your thoughts these past few weeks.
“We think of you all today also as we know how much Saoirse was loved by the nation and the effect she had on so many people’s lives.
“Cancer, you stole her from us, the life we had, and our dreams. Life will never be the same.”
President Michael D Higgins led the tributes, adding: “Her strength and warmth was an inspiration to all.”