Ciara Mageean’s Book Launch – My Greatest Race

Everyone associated with St. Patrick’s Community Centre were delighted when Ciara decided to hold one of her book launches in our Centre. Portaferry is proud of our Olympian and her performance that evening in early July 2026, to a packed house, deepened that pride.

As a young girl and teenager, Ciara trod the boards in our drama productions as she danced, sang and acted her way through plays, pantomimes and musicals in the decades either side of the Millennium. It was further fitting that Ciara chose our venue as her mother and grandparents were past committee members with her grandfather Paddy being chair for several years.

Joined on the stage by Paralympic Champion Ellen Keane, Ciara entertained the large crowd with anecdotes about the highs and lows of sport, about the joys of her childhood in Portaferry and about the importance of growing up in her extended family. Ciara referred to her health challenges which she dubbed “My Greatest Race”. Needless to say, that every single member of the audience, and the people of Portaferry pray that this is a race which the European 1500m champion, two-time Olympian and multiple Irish record holder will win.