Funeral details announced as family pays tribute to Ireland’s Fittest Family teen contestant

Tributes have been pouring in for teenager Cillian Flaherty who died on Monday at the age of 15. 

The third-year student at Blakestown Community School in Blanchardstown was set to appear on the upcoming series of RTÉ’s Ireland’s Fittest Family after competing on the show earlier this summer. His unexpected death has sent shockwaves through his local community and the wider Dublin area.

Cillian's family has requested that mourners attending his funeral on Saturday, October 26, wear bright colours, particularly sky blue, to honour his memory. His funeral will take place at the Church of St. Philip the Apostle in Mountview, with burial to follow at Mulhuddart Cemetery.

His death notice on RIP.ie reads: "Cillian (Cillo Flats), precious son of Paula and Paul, dear brother of Kian and Heidi, cherished grandson of Frances, Dolores, and the late Thomas, Paul, and Mick, and boyfriend of Katie. Sadly missed by his loving mother, father, brother, sister, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives, neighbours, and a large group of good mates. R.I.P."

Cillian will repose at his home on Thursday and Friday evening from 5pm to 8pm. On Saturday morning, a procession will walk from his home to the church for Requiem Mass at 11am, followed by burial.

Cillian’s brother, Kian, posted a heartfelt tribute on social media, sharing photos and videos of their time together, writing: “I love you lil bro rest in paradise.” 

His post has received an outpouring of support, leading to a follow-up comment, “Thank you everyone for the love and support.”

RTÉ has confirmed that the broadcast of the new series of Ireland’s Fittest Family, originally scheduled for Sunday, October 27, has been postponed in light of Cillian’s death. 

In a statement, RTÉ said: “The broadcast of the new series of Ireland's Fittest Family has now been postponed following the death of one of this year's participants subsequent to the completion of the series. 

“RTÉ and Kite/Animo productions wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the bereaved family and friends at this time.”

Blakestown Community School, where Cillian was described as a “very popular” member of the school community, also paid tribute. 

“It is with great sadness that we are sharing the news of the untimely passing of one of our third-year students, Cillian Flaherty. This has come as a huge shock to our whole school community. Our sincere sympathies are with Cillian's family and friends at this time.

“Cillian was a very popular member of our school community and we know that he will be hugely missed by all those who knew him.

“We are supporting students here in school while dealing with this tragic event and we aim to send on some information, at a later date, that might assist you in supporting your children through this diffficult time at home.”

Tributes have also come from the footballing community in Dublin, where Cillian was a member of the under-16 team at Mountview Boys and Girls Football Club (MBG FC). The Dublin and District Schoolboys’/Girls’ League said: “The thoughts of all the footballing community are with Cillian’s family, friends, and all at MBG FC at this time.”

Cillian’s funeral will take place on Saturday, October 26, with family and friends set to don sky blue to celebrate his life.