Young woman who died after Cork half marathon ‘brought so much light', dad tells funeral

Sunday World

05-06-2025

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.