Tragic sisters’ smiles ‘really lit up a room’

THE two sisters killed in Tuesday’s horror smash had smiles which “really lit up the room”, a member of their local rugby club said yesterday.

Ciara Bowden (14) and her sister Saoirse (nine) died along with their mum Una (47) when the car they were travelling in collided with a truck on the N17 near Claremorris, Co Mayo.

The family had been living in the Moycullen area of Co Galway, where they were involved in a number of local sports organisations.

Both Ciara and Saoirse were former players with Oughterard Rugby Club while Úna volunteered in providing IT assistance to the organisation.

Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Oughterard Rugby Club PRO Julie Ann Brown said: “We are all devastated in Oughterard Rugby and in the wider community.

Active

“The Bowdens were very active in many sports, both in Maigh Cuilinn and in Oughterard, so it’s such a tragedy for the area.

“Three beautiful, kind, loving, caring ladies just gone in a moment.”

Ciara was a first-year student at Salerno secondary school in Salthill, Galway city, while Saoirse was a fourth-class pupil at Scoil Bhríde, Tullokyne, Moycullen.

Ms Brown, who also knew the family through her work in one of the local schools, said the family were multi-talented and as well as their sporting accomplishments had also been involved in music and choirs locally.

Prayers were offered at a service in the local church in Maigh Cuilinn for the family last night as the local community gathered to remember Úna, Ciara and Saoirse along with their husband and father David Bowden, who was working aboard when he learned of the tragedy.

Ms Brown said people are in shock but are coming together and remembering Úna and her daughters through talking about them and remembering their beautiful smiles.

Energy

“They were very quiet girls, yet they had this beautiful energy about them and their smiles really lit up the rooms and the playing fields and every photo we have of them through the Oughterard girls’ rugby is of them smiling,” she said.

“So it’s a beautiful tribute to have and a wonderful memory and legacy to have of their wonderful vibrant spirits.”

Parish Priest in Maigh Cuilinn Fr Martin Whelan said the local community has been left “so devastated” after the tragic event.

He said Una was very involved in the community from the parents’ association to fundraising for schools and the family was very involved in sports clubs and social clubs.

Fr Whelan said the prayer service held last night was dedicated to the Bowden family and to remember them.

“It was an opportunity for the community to gather also,” he said.