President Michael D Higgins has paid tribute to Saoírse Ruane from Co Galway, the inspiration for the annual Late Late Toy Show appeal, who has died aged 12 following a long illness.
He said Saoírse's strength and warmth was an inspiration to all and sent his deepest condolences to her family.
President Higgins has sent his deepest condolences to the family of Saoírse Ruane from Kiltullagh, Co. Galway, following her passing at the age of 12. Saoírse's strength and warmth was an inspiration to all pic.twitter.com/aMyLZyqN8g
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) March 7, 2024
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar added his voice to the tributes saying Saoirse "captured the hearts of a nation".
In a post on social media, he said the courage and bravery she had displayed "will remain with us forever".
Saoírse died on Tuesday following a long illness.
She captured the hearts of the nation when she appeared on the 2020 Toy Show and spoke about her fight against cancer.
Coming deep in the middle of the pandemic, her courage and bravery resonated far and wide, as she outlined the story of how she had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, an osteosarcoma tumour on her fibula, in late 2019.
She was just seven at the time.
The treatment led to intensive chemotherapy and the amputation of her right leg.
Saoírse had been fitted with a prosthetic and displayed a quiet reliance and determination when she was interviewed that night, along with her mother Roseanna.
Saoírse's appearance on the Late Late Toy Show
Her story was among those to the fore later that evening, when the first Toy Show Appeal was launched.
Over €6 million was donated in a matter of hours and since then more than €17.5 million has been raised by the annual appeal.
All monies gathered are used to support projects and initiatives benefiting children all over the country.
In the years that followed, Saoírse had to combine the spotlight and the attention that brought, with her own childhood and ongoing illness.
Last March she was the Grand Marshal at the St Patrick's Day parade in Galway, leading a march of hundreds of people through the city streets; a mark of the standing she was held in by people in the region.
Late last year in a social media post, her family revealed that Saoírse was undergoing more treatment and asked people to keep them in their thoughts and prayers.
In a post on Instagram, the family said their "beautiful little Saoírse" died after a "long courageous and dignified battle".
They thanked their "lovely followers for holding Saoírse and us in your thoughts these 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.
"Cancer you stole her from us, the life we had and our dreams. Life will never be the same!"
Saoírse will repose at home tomorrow and her remains will be brought to St Peter and Paul’s Church in Kiltullagh on Sunday for funeral mass at 2pm.
She will be laid to rest in the local cemetery afterwards
Her family has requested privacy in the coming days and has asked that anyone who wants to make a donation in her memory do so, by supporting Galway Hospice.
'We love you, we will miss you' - Tubridy
Former Late Late Show Ryan Tubridy said he was shocked and desperately saddened by the news of Saoírse's death.
Speaking on his Virgin UK radio programme, Mr Tubridy said Saoirse was one of the most extraordinary young people he has ever met and who only ever wanted to make the world a better place.
He said Saoírse achieved so much in her life and that hundreds of thousands of children all over Ireland now have a better life because of what she started on the Toy Show in 2020.
The radio host recalled how he jumped on a trampoline with Saoírse at her home in Galway and had tea and cake in the kitchen.
He said he hopes her parents and family and the good people of Kiltullagh know just how much Saoírse meant to everyone who knew her.
"We love you, we will miss you, rest in peace you beautiful, beautiful soul".
Earlier, in a social media post, Mr Tubridy said they became friends instantly.
"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."
The broadcaster shared his condolences with Saoírse's "beautiful family", adding that their "world has changed utterly".
"I want to thank them for sharing their extraordinary Saoírse with us all," he added.
"The world is a poorer place without Saoírse, but I do hope that twinkle in her eye shines on and on."
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said he was "very saddened by the heartbreaking passing" of Saoirse, saying she "leaves behind an extraordinary legacy in the Toy Show Appeal".
Very saddened by the heartbreaking passing of Saoírse Ruane
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) March 7, 2024
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
Deepest sympathies to her family & friends
Later, speaking in the Dail, Mr Martin said he had been fortunate to meet Saoírse and he was taken by her smile, warm personality and love of sport and gaelic games
The Tánaiste said he wanted to send his deepest condolences to her parents, family and all who loved her.
Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Finance Pearse Doherty said he was thinking of Saoírse's friends and family today.
Additional reporting Paul Cunningham
