'To know Caoimhe was to love her' - Tears flow at death of brave Wicklow girl, 11, after cancer battle
Little Caoimhe Keenan was diagnosed with cancer months after her 10th birthday
Tears and tributes are flowing for a remarkably brave 11 year-old girl from Co. Wicklow who passed away after a battle with cancer.
Little Caoimhe Dylan Keenan was diagnosed months after her 10th birthday with a rare form of cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma. Caoimhe passed away peacefully at home on Sunday June 28 surrounded by her devoted and loving family.
In an interview with DublinLive last July, Caoimhe's sister, Cara, explained how the family first noticed things weren't right when a GP diagnosed a stomach bug.
"It was only after a week that we said she really does need to be seen. Mum and Dad brought her into the hospital, and the doctors had notice a lump in her mouth.
"They suggested it could be dental. The dentist said it wasn’t dental. From there things escalated quite quickly. She had a scope put in and they said it wasn’t nasal. They took a biopsy. She was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma on July 14," she said.
In 2025, a family friend launched a GoFundMe donation page to help support little Caoimhe and her family - more than €55,000 was raised.
Caoimhe's death notice on RIP.ie reads: "Caoimhe Dylan Keenan, aged 11, passed peacefully in her home, surrounded by her family, close friends, and pets, in the early hours of Sunday 28th of June 2026. Caoimhe will be remembered by her loving parents Matt and Martina, siblings Cara and Jonathan, grandmothers Catherine and Geraldine, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, classmates and pets Willow and Kitkat.
"Caoimhe’s memory will be celebrated through her Funeral Mass in the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace, Putland Road, Bray, on Friday 3rd July at 10.30am and afterwards at her Committal Service in the Victorian Chapel at Mount Jerome Crematorium, Harold’s Cross at 1.00pm. The family invite everyone to wear bright and vibrant colours in honour of her fiery and energetic spirit.
"The Keenan family would like to thank all those who supported Caoimhe through her battle with cancer, including the staff of St John’s Ward in Crumlin, the North Wicklow Hospice team, the Keeley D Foundation, and the Gavin Glynn Foundation. They kindly request that donations be sent to the Gavin Glynn and Keeley D Foundation in lieu of any flowers, in gratitude for the incredible support Caoimhe has received over the past year. Time’s forever frozen still."
Tributes from relatives, friends and strangers are continuing to flow for brave Caoimhe.
"Matt, Martina, Cara & JJ we are truly heartbroken for you all to know Caoimhe was to love her and by goodness did we love her. She showed so much strength and resilience over the last 12 months, she fought so hard. She was & always will be our warrior. Hope you get the best bed up there sweetheart. Watch over mum, dad, Cara & JJ, Willow & Kit Kat. Until we all meet again," wrote one family.
One individual said: "We are so deeply saddened for your immeasurable loss. Martina, Matt, Cara and JJ, and your extended family, we are thinking of you all with such love and care. Caoimhe was a beautiful and special young girl, and we will continue to think of her and remember her with awe. Sending you so much love and strength."
Another person said: "Caoimhe was one of the most determined, fun loving and kind children I've ever had the pleasure to know. I will miss that wicked sense of humour which brought such joy. There are no words to make sense of this. I'm sending you hugs, positive thoughts and healing wishes and keeping you all in my prayers."
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