'The kindest soul': Funeral tributes to teen who died ahead of Ireland's Fittest Family airing

Cillian Flaherty, 15, who competed in Ireland's Fittest Family Picture: RIP.IE

Bright clothing served as the only splash of colour on an otherwise painfully dark day that saw Ireland’s Fittest Family contestant Cillian Flaherty laid to rest.

In a bitter-sweet request from the family, those attending the 15-year old’s funeral at Church of St Philip the Apostle, Mountview, Dublin, were requested to wear bright colours, incorporating sky blue. 

Cillian was found dead at home on Monday, just days before the planned airing of the new season of RTÉ's hit TV show, Ireland’s Fittest Family, on which he competed with his family.

The first episode was postponed after news of Cillian’s sudden death broke.

At the funeral mass on Saturday, gifts including Cillian’s phone, his number 6 jersey, a hairbrush, Player of the Year trophy, and a family photo served as reminders of a life gone too soon.

However, what was most striking was the blue coffin, signed with heartfelt messages, from countless friends and loved ones.

Cillian’s brother Kian gave a touching eulogy that was met with applause from mourners. 

In it, he spoke of Cillian’s inability to lie and his uncanny Mrs Brown impressions.

“I love you more than everything in the world,” he said of his brother. 

“We were the best of friends. No matter how many fights we had, we just forgot about them and got on with life 10 minutes later. 

"I’m going to miss coming home from work to you and finding out what the POA is. 

"For anyone who doesn’t know, the POA is the plan of action. 

"All you used to say is, 'I just go with the flow bro'.

"You were the kindest soul with the biggest heart.” 

Kian described his brother as a “strong, good looking man who was never not grounded". 

“You were a mammy’s boy all your life. Me and Dad used to wind you up and she’d come in and say, 'you leave him alone... you stop giving out to him'."

He described the impact Cillian had on his community.

“The impact you have had on the community is overwhelming and unbelievable. 

"I’ve never seen a group of friends so big and so caring in my life. 

"The last few days we lit the place up for you and there was no better person to do it for. 

"I can’t thank each and every person who has done it, who has came to the house, and came to the memorial. 

"The support they have shown you and our family - the messages, the flowers, the sandwiches, the pictures - they’ve all just came in and we are eternally grateful. 

"I’m sorry you didn’t live out your dream and become a DJ like me. 

"You were adamant you were going to be rich and famous before me and you got the famous part. You were all over the news. You were all over every paper in the world. Your favourite rappers gave you a shout out.” 

Kian described his brother as a “charmer.” 

“You had mountains of clothes but for some reason you would always wore the tracksuits with the rips in them. 

"I never knew why. 

"Even when they were wet you’d come down with the hairdryer and try to dry them and the socks. 

"There wasn’t a hairbrush safe in the house. You’d snap the handle off, stick it in your pocket and head off on your day.” 

Cillian’s determination was most evident in his love for sport.

“No matter what the injury you had you always battled though. He always said, 'I’m not going down for no man'."

He recalled the bond he had with his grandmothers.

"I will forever cherish the memories we made brother for the rest of my life but the one memory I will cherish the most was our holiday in Orlando. You were in your element. You thought you were on Call of Duty, to be honest. 

"You loved the rollercoaster. I wasn’t a fan of them but you and Katie went on the big ones. Me and Heidi stayed in the teacups.” 

Cillian was a third-year student at Blakestown Community School in West Dublin.

In a death notice on Rip.ie, the 15-year-old is remembered as the precious son of Paula and Paul, dear brother of Kian and Heidi and a cherished grandson who will be sadly missed by his family, neighbours, and a large group of good mates.