Young woman who died after Cork half marathon ‘brought so much light', dad tells funeral
Ellen Cassidy was 'no ordinary girl' who 'brought light into so many lives'
Ellen Cassidy (24) died after becoming unwell while taking part in the Cork city half marathon last Sunday
A young athlete who fell ill and died minutes after completing the Cork half marathon last Sunday was hailed as an extraordinary person who led her life with a kind heart and "open arms".
An emotional tribute was paid to Ellen Cassidy (24) by her heartbroken father, Tom, who told her funeral his daughter's kindness and compassion made everyone she met feel special – and that kindness was repaid by the thousands of people who attended the services for her over the past two days including her nine-hour wake.
Hundreds attended the requiem mass for Ms Cassidy with dozens of women wearing colourful outfits and carrying flowers following a special family request to celebrate the young woman's remarkable life.
Athletics clubs across Cork and Munster paid a moving tribute as members wore their club running colours and formed a special guard of honour for the funeral cortege route along Great William O'Brien Street in Blackpool.
Ms Cassidy's Dolphin and Sunday's Well swimming clubs teammates and friends formed the initial guard of honour outside the Church of the Annunciation in Blackpool.
The Cassidy family were deeply touched by the tribute from so many clubs in two sports that Ms Cassidy was passionate about throughout her life.
Ellen Cassidy (24) died after becoming unwell while taking part in the Cork city half marathon last Sunday
News in 90 Seconds - 5th June 2025
Ms Cassidy fell seriously ill at 1pm last Sunday having just finished the Cork half marathon.
Despite efforts by paramedics at the scene and doctors at Cork University Hospital (CUH), she was later pronounced dead.
Mourners at the mass were led by her parents, Tom and Vi, her sister, Mary, her brother Charlie, her boyfriend Rob, her grandparents Joan, Billy and Tom as well as her extended family.
Special mention was made of Ms Cassidy's friends, Katie and Sadhbh, and her new puppy, Nala.
'This is beautiful Ellen's goodbye mass and Violet, Charlie, Mary and myself would like to thank a few people,' her father said.
'I would like to thank the first responders, paramedics, doctors and nurses who did everything they possibly could to save Ellen at the marathon, in the ambulance and at CUH.
'Their responsiveness, expertise, effort and caring concern shown to Ellen is deeply appreciated. Though the outcome was heartbreaking, their dedication brought comfort in knowing she was in the hands of those who gave it their all on that day.'
Mr Cassidy said his family were overwhelmed by the support they have received over the past week from his daughter's friends, neighbours, extended family, sports club mates, work colleagues and those she had met throughout
'We will forever be grateful for their compassion and dedication during such a desperate time in our lives. Your compassion will never be forgotten; your love and support have helped us so much and in a way that words cannot fully express,' he said.
'You have all reminded us how much light she brought into so many lives.
'Today is so, so difficult for Violet, Charlie, Mary and myself… she was our north, our south, our east and our west, our working week and our Sunday rest, our noon, our midnight, our talk, our song, we thought your time with us would last forever. We were wrong.
"Over the last number of days there has been a tremendous outpouring of support for Ellen.… articles have appeared across various online and print media. They have no doubt given you a wonderful sense of who Ellen was. That was Ellen – the person we all knew and loved.
"Ellen Bina Cassidy was born on March 11, 2001 at the Bon Secours Hospital. She was known to us as 'Ellie', 'Ellie Bellie', 'Elliano', 'Queen', 'Moogamuganski' and 'Geishan' – and she would answer to all of those names at any time."
Ms Cassidy worked in the cyber security team at PWC and was a BIS graduate of University College Cork (UCC).
'Ellen was not an ordinary girl – she always had a number of plates spinning at any one time. Swimming, for example, swimming 16 hours per week, music [was] four hours per week, attendance and practice, piano was seven hours a week, attendance and practice, school, her university attendance, exams that go with both and, of course, her friends,' Mr Cassidy said.
He said his daughter made friends everywhere she went.
'Ellen didn't lead with elbows, she led with open arms. That made her stand out, that made her special and made anyone who was in contact with her feel special.
"The result of this approach to life is what we had last night with a nine-hour wake, a full church today both inside and outside and people all over the country and the world who couldn't make it today watching online.
"Honestly, Violent and I, and Mary and Charlie, never expected what we have seen and experienced over the past 48 hours. But that is the result of putting others first.
'Ellen achieved amazing things… she was Sunflower of the Month nearly every year in Rathpeacon National School.'
He said his daughter was so determined she went from 9pc in her first ever accountancy examination in secondary school and being asked to consider switching to agricultural science to getting an honours grade in accountancy in her Leaving Cert.
Mr Cassidy said he and his wife found their daughter's diary in the days after her death.
'It was as if she wanted us to find it after she passed away,' he said.
The entry for March 11, 2021, her 20th birthday, reads: 'I am not a child anymore… step out of your comfort zone. Don't follow the crowd. You never know the person you could be if you don't step up. You will never know what life will throw at you but you must embrace it. Make choices and decisions – but don't look back. Follow your gut. Small things make a huge difference.
"I am so lucky to have them [my family] – we are lucky to have each other."
Just 24 hours before she took part in the Cork marathon she had sent a message to her family.
'On the day before Ellen died she sent her mother Vi the most beautiful message. It read: 'I would choose my mum to be my mum in every lifetime again and again and again',' Mr Cassidy said.
Ms Cassidy's favourite song, Watch This Space, was played at the funeral.
She was a champion swimmer who joined Dolphin Swimming Club in Cork when she was just nine years old.
Dolphin said she was a remarkable athlete whose life was marked by grace, strength and passion.
"Your smile and your drive will never be forgotten," a club spokesperson said.
Ms Cassidy represented Cork, Munster and Ireland in swimming and Dolphin said that it 'could not be prouder' when she swam for Ireland at an international event in Luxembourg seven years ago.
Swim Munster described her as an 'inspiration to everyone she met', given her commitment to her sport.
Ms Cassidy represented Ireland at the European Youth Olympics and the European Junior Championships.
She had also been on a UCC Emerging Talent programme and represented Ireland at international schools level.
Cork City Marathon organisers said they were deeply saddened by Ms Cassidy's passing and extended their sympathies to her family and friends.
Lord Mayor of Cork Dan Boyle offered his sincere condolences to Ms Cassidy's family and friends.
He said the entire city was heartbroken by the tragedy.
Over 11,000 athletes participated in the full and half marathon runs as well as the 10K event.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sunday World
6 hours ago
- Sunday World
Parents of teen who died in dangerous TikTok trend highlight dangers of ‘dusting'
Also known as 'chroming' or 'huffing' the activity can make the user feel drunk and euphoric for a couple of minutes but can also be deadly The parents of a teen who died in a dangerous TikTok trend have highlighted their daughter's story in a bid of warn others of the dangers. Renna O'Rourke of Arizona died in the social media challenge, known as 'dusting' in which participants sniff computer dusting spray to get high. Also known as 'chroming' or 'huffing' the activity can make the user feel drunk and euphoric for a couple of minutes but can also be deadly. Renna O'Rourke as a child News in 90 Seconds - 7th June Renna, who always dreamed of being a star, had told her dad 'I'm gonna be famous', died of sudden sniffing death syndrome at age mother Dana O'Rourke described her as 'vivacious and caring and loyal' as she warned of the potential killers in cabinets. 'There's no ID required (to purchase) said Dana. 'It's odourless. It's everything kids look for. They can afford it, they can get it, and it doesn't show in mom and dad's drug test.' Dr Randy Weisman who leads the Intensive Care Unit at HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center said that in a short amount of time, the damage is done after just one huff and can be irreversible and even deadly. 'She's not the only one that this has happened to. Several other teenagers have succumbed to this same disorder,' said Dr Weisman. 'She spent the next seven days in the ICU. She never regained consciousness,' Dana added. 'We don't have children to bury them.' Elena Zavalza, programme director with notMYkid, joined Good Morning Arizona with advice for parents around the "chroming" and "dusting" trends. 'This is extremely concerning,' she said. 'When they inhale these chemicals in the gas it will actually replace the oxygen within their lungs and within the rest of their body.' In a message for parents, Dana said: Don't take your kids' word for it. Dig deep. Search their rooms. Don't trust and that sounds horrible, but it could save their life,' she said. A GoFundMe has been started to help pay for medical bills and burial expenses. 'On Sunday, June 1 at 1.30pm, our wonderful daughter, after 4 days in the ICU, was pronounced brain dead,' the page reads. 'She was the light in every room she walked into, and the pain that her family and friends feel is simply immeasurable. We want to use the proceeds of this fundraiser to cover the extensive medical bills, burial costs, therapy costs, and to spread awareness about the dangers of Huffing/Dusting, the practice of inhaling keyboard cleaner or similar. 'We are currently actively working on both a TV news segment and pursuing legislation to help prevent any other families from having to go through this.'
Sunday World
11 hours ago
- Sunday World
Five people hospitalised after chemical ‘incident' at Co Down industrial site
Local authorities have warned locals to stay away from the business premises near Magheralin. The NI Fire & Rescue Service responded to the incident overnight. Stock photo. Five people were taken to hospital and 12 others assessed at the scene as emergency services responded to a chemical incident. The alert centred on a business premises near Magheralin, Co Down, which began around 11pm last night. Police, ambulance and fire crews responded to reports of a chemical spill. The NI Fire & Rescue Service issued a warning for people to stay away from the scene during the alert, which continued until 4.45am this morning. None of the five patients, who were taken to three local hospitals, are in a life-threatening condition. There is no wider risk to the public. The NI Fire & Rescue Service responded to the incident overnight. Stock photo. News in 90 Seconds - 7th June The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said: "NIAS received reports of a potential chemical incident at an industrial site near Magheralin and dispatched a number of emergency ambulances, ambulance officers, a Hazardous Area Response Team and a doctor to the scene with a major incident being declared as a result of the number of reported casualties. "Seventeen potential patients were assessed and five transferred to hospital (Craigavon Area Hospital, Royal Victoria Hospital and Daisy Hill) though none are thought to be in a life-threatening condition. "A further 12 patients were monitored and then discharged from the scene. 'NIAS worked alongside colleagues from NIFRS and PSNI to manage the incident. 'It is not believed that there is any wider risk to local residents as a result of the incident." A PSNI spokesperson said: 'Police received a request for traffic management assistance from colleagues at Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service at around 11pm on Friday. 'The request followed a reported chemical spill at a factory in the Steps Road area of Magheralin. After a number of people were identified as affected by the spillage, a major incident was declared. 'It was established that there was no risk to the wider public and all emergency services left the scene at around 4.45am.' More to follow
Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
Fr Brian D'Arcy: Sunday was my 80th birthday - In my head, I'm still 30
LONG LIFE | However, my body tells me I'll not play for Fermanagh in Croke Park today - or any other day – but I'll never throw in the towel. Psalm 90 puts it in perspective, 'All our days pass away; we finish our years with a moan. Our days may amount to three score and ten (that is, 70) or 80 for those who are strong.'. That's God warning me, I am now in the departure lounge. Reality began for me when the face in the mirror was not mine but my father's—the dreaded warning signs of old age are as plain as the wrinkles on my brow. With age comes wisdom, but sometimes age comes alone. I refuse to throw in the towel. There is no need to be old until you have to be. Fr Brian D'Arcy. Photo: Mark Condren News in 90 Seconds - 6th June 2025 The poet/priest Ed Hays rightly points out: 'We begin ageing at birth, so aren't there some preventive measures we can take to ensure a pleasurable old age?' Old people were respected in the past because they were few and far between. Now we live longer, and the number of old people is rapidly increasing. The much-maligned taxpayer is squeezed between an ever-increasing elderly population and an ever-more-expensive teenage population. For a long time, I thought I was one of those sandwiched between old age and youth. In the past year, I've stopped thinking of myself as middle-aged. I am old. Realising it and accepting it are not the same thing, though. Because I live in a Religious Community, I've become used to living with old people. They taught me that I should treat the old people I meet with the respect and the esteem I'd wish to be given when I am old. In old age, dignity is taken away by constant, intrusive examinations by doctors and medical procedures. 'Bodily strength and agility are removed, then teeth, eyesight, and hearing. Dreadful memory loss can occur at any time during the ageing process. It's as if we gradually lose everything and are stripped to the bone,' Ed Hays reminds me. Hays offers this advice as part of a spirituality of growing old. Accept the stripping away of many things we found necessary for our independence, as making room for inner peace. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin says the loss of bodily and mental abilities in old age is caused by the creator carving out large cavities in us to fill them up with God. Read more Hays adds that there are no pills to help us overcome the most dreaded diseases of old age – 'prickling impatience, touchy irritability, moody grumpiness, pessimistic cynicism, criticism of youth, and sickly nostalgia for the good old days. Never indulge in any of them.' Don't be worried about the inability to recite lengthy prayers. When pain and suffering become our constant companions, the ability to pray deserts us. Forget reciting prayers and instead become a living prayer by unconditionally embracing your sufferings. It's not easy being old these days. They say old people don't contribute to society and drain much-needed resources. In African culture, old age was treasured, and villagers respected the elderly as the most knowledgeable and the wisest. Since they discovered Google, who needs wise old people? One day, I asked a priest, who was over 90, how he kept himself so fit and active. Quick as a flash, he shot back: 'I always go to bed the same day I get up.' I haven't done that in fifty years. I cannot deny now that the sand in the hourglass speedily drains out, and the golden years pass quickly. My days are filled with goodbyes. The late Paddy Cole often joked: 'Brian, if we don't die soon, there'll be nobody left to come to our funerals.' I don't laugh as loudly now. As I age, I treasure the gifts of health, family, friends, and memories with sublime gratitude. To sum up, on my 80th birthday, I can genuinely say that growing old is no fun, but it is still better than the alternative. Age is inevitable; growing old is a choice. Opportunities don't happen; you have to create them. It's never too late to be what you might have become.
