'She leaves behind an extraordinary legacy': Tributes paid to Toy Show star Saoírse Ruane
Saoírse Ruane from Galway when she joined the then-host Ryan Tubridy on the Late Late Show. Picture: Maxwells Dublin
Toy Show star Saoírse Ruane has passed away at the age of 12 following a long battle with cancer.
She is survived by her parents, Ollie and Roseanna, and her younger sister Farrah-Rose and half-sister Rebecca.
A notice on RIP.ie reads: "It is with broken hearts the Ruane family announces the passing of their beautiful daughter and sister, Saoírse, who passed away peacefully at home, after a long illness bravely borne, in the arms of her heartbroken parents, Ollie and Roseanna, on Tuesday."
In a post to Instagram on Thursday morning, Saoírse's family thanked their followers for holding her in their thoughts over the past few weeks.
"We think of you all today also as we know how much Saoírse was loved by the nation and the effect she had on so many people’s lives.
They added: "We ask you to respect our privacy now as we take our last and final journey with our beautiful girl."
Saoírse, from Athenry in Galway, first came to the nation’s attention in 2020 when she appeared on the during the covid-19 pandemic and helped to launch the inaugural Toy Show Appeal.
Ryan Tubridy shared his condolences on social media and described Saoírse as “a selfless, humble, kind, optimistic and thoughtful child”.
“It is with the greatest sadness imaginable that I’ve heard the news of my dear young friend, Saoírse Ruane’s passing,” he wrote.
“We became friends instantly when we met. She told her story, the Nation fell in love with her and a charity began because of her and with that she helped enrich and encourage the lives of thousands of children in Ireland.
“A selfless, humble, kind, optimistic and thoughtful child. She was everything we should and could be as a country and her passing will put so much into perspective for so many of us.”
He thanked Saoírse’s family for sharing their daughter’s story. He added: “The world is a poorer place without Saoirse but I do hope that twinkle in her eye shines on and on.”
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he was very saddened by the "heartbreaking" news of Saoírse's passing.
"Fond memories of meeting Saoírse & her mother Roseanna in Croke Park, seeing her radiant smile & love of GAA.
"She leaves behind an extraordinary legacy in the Toy Show Appeal."
President Michael D Higgins also extended his condolences to her family, saying: "Saoírse’s strength and warmth was an inspiration to all."
At seven, Saoírse was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and had a rare, life-threatening tumour on her leg. On the Toy Show, she shared the story of how she lost her right leg to cancer and how she learned to walk with her prosthetic leg.
She told then-host Ryan Tubridy she felt some pain in her ankle during 2019’s Toy Show and went to the doctor the next day. Following some tests, she was diagnosed with the tumour that changed her life.
Thank you for the days…😉 Appreciation Post!
— Saoírse and Mamma (@Saoirseandmamma) May 28, 2023
Ryan @RTELateLateShow it’s all below 👇
It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later 😘#friends #thelatelate #rte #newpastures #opportunities #grateful #humble #herestoyou #ryantubridy #childhoodcancer #limbloss #amputee #saoirseandmamma pic.twitter.com/nLfJyNWnno
In recent years, the youngster was diagnosed with further tumours, undergoing a major “fight for her life” operation to remove a tumour in her lung in 2022.
The tumour returned last year and her family shared a “devastating” update in November last when they were informed that Saoírse’s cancer had spread to her other lung.
“This came as a huge shock to us as Saoírse has been doing so well,” her mother Roseanna said at the time.
“Four diagnosis in four years is very hard to take.”
Two weeks ago, Roseanna asked her followers on Instagram to pray for Saoírse, and said her family is "hugging each other tight" and spending some time away from social media to "focus on what’s inside our four walls".
In 2021, Saoírse's parents spoke to the Irish Examiner about their family’s struggles with infertility and cancer, with Ollie having battled testicular cancer, and their second daughter, Farrah-Rose, being conceived through IVF.
“As a family, we have had to fight a lot, from Ollie’s cancer diagnosis through seven years of infertility to Saoírse's cancer diagnosis and the various treatments to save her life,” Roseanna said at the time.
“In all those fights, we were so thankful to have Saoirse and Farrah-Rose."
Saoírse will repose at home on Friday, March 8 from 2pm to 8pm.
A bus service will run from the car park at Bullaun Church and those attending are asked to follow the directions of stewards and only attend by using the bus service.
The funeral cortège will arrive on Sunday, March 10 at St Peter and Paul's Church, Kiltullagh at 1.45pm for Mass for Saoírse at 2pm. Saoírse will be laid to rest in Bullaun Cemetery.
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