‘The brightest star of all’, cry Late Late Toy Show fans as RTE pay ‘beautiful tribute’ to Saoirse Ruane

The Toy Show Appeal has also reopened in Saoirse’s memory
RTE have paid a touching tribute to Saoirse Ruane on the Late Late Toy Show.

The brave Galway girl’s family were left heartbroken after 12-year-old Saoirse sadly passed away in March 2024 following a long battle with cancer.

The young girl won the nation’s hearts when she appeared on the Toy Show during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, aged 8, to speak about her fight with cancer.

The Galway girl blew people away with her incredible strength and resilience in her battle against the rare form of bone cancer.

She had been diagnosed with a rare form of the disease and had to have her right leg amputated.

Patrick Kielty returned tonight for his third year hosting the festive extravaganza.

This year, Saoirse’s mum Roseanna, dad Ollie, and sister Farrah Rose are watching the Late Late Toy Show for the second time since her tragic death.

And once again, RTE honoured her memory, placing a gold star that read “Saoirse’s Star” on top of the Christmas tree in the studio.

RTE viewers were left emotional as they raced to social media to share their thoughts on the sweet tribute.

Paula said: “Love this and glad her legacy lives on.”

Ciara wrote: “Lit candles today for Saoirse and her family, what an incredible legacy to leave here on earth.”

Becca gushed: “This is stunning. Such a beautiful tribute. Well done.”

Nicola commented: “The brightest star of all.”

Another added: “Magical.”

The Galway girl inspired the launch of the Toy Show Appeal, which has led to millions of euros being raised.

Saoirse’s mum and dad appeared on the Late Late Show ahead of last year’s Toy Show to speak to host Kielty about their daughter’s inspirational legacy.

Roseanna said: “All the good she did, the kind heart she had, and she never let cancer define her. She never saw herself as having a disability.

“Her only aim was to get back to some form of normality and get back on the pitch and play her camogie.”

TOUCHING TRIBUTE

Roseanna also told how their youngest daughter, Farrah-Rose, has helped them through the extremely tough time.

She said: “I think it’s only now I’m realising that she wasn’t sent to be a sibling to Saoirse, she was actually sent to carry us.

“Because I wouldn’t be doing as good as I am now if I didn’t have her to get out of bed for in the morning.

“If anything, she deserves as much of a normal childhood as we can give her.

“So as much as we did with Saoirse, making memories, we’ll do the same for Farrah-Rose because she deserves it.”

Ollie also addressed the incredible support that the family have had since Saoirse’s passing.

He admitted: “I don’t think we realised how much support we had until it broke in the news and was on RTE that morning.

“I suppose it helped us as well, knowing that so many people loved Saoirse. It was comforting for us.”