Tuiren Phelan was diagnosed with cancer when she was just 18 months old, with a number of charities rallying around the youngster and her family “to give her as much happiness, support and magic in life as she so deserved”

Heartbreaking tributes have been paid to a young girl from Co Tipperary who has sadly passed away following a brave illness battle.

Tuiren Phelan, from Urlingford in Thurles, passed away peacefully at home in the arms of her parents Patrick and Deirdre, brother Lochlainn and sister Neala on Friday, September 11.

In January 2023, when she was just 18 months old, Tuiren was diagnosed with a high-grade, aggressive neuroepithelial cancerous brain tumour.

Over the years that followed, Tuiren underwent numerous brain surgeries, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, blood and platelet transfusions, extended hospital stays, rehabilitation and specialist therapies.
The family also travelled abroad for treatment and endured prolonged periods apart, including time in intensive care.

In 2025, they received the devastating news that Tuiren’s illness was terminal.

Throughout an unimaginably difficult journey, a network of charities and support organisations has stood alongside the Phelan family.

These organisations have provided financial assistance, nursing care, counselling, speech and language therapy, practical help at home, fuel vouchers and accommodation during treatment.

They have organised family outings, birthday celebrations and special experiences, while also helping Tuiren attend preschool and enjoy precious time with her friends.

Among the charities that helped support Tuiren and her family was Oscar’s Kids, which helps children in Ireland with the most serious cancer diagnoses.

Last year, the charity helped plan a last minute birthday party for Tuiren in hospital in CHF Temple Street.

The Irish charity said “the world is forever a little brighter and more colourful because Tuiren was in it” as they paid a touching tribute to the brave youngster.

“We’re so deeply saddened to share the passing of our beautiful and most colourful member, Tuiren,” they said.

“The most determined little girl, we originally got to know Tuiren last summer through our amazing pal Julie Collins, who was looking after her when she was very sick. We helped plan a last minute birthday party for her in hospital in CHF Temple Street , at a time when nobody knew what the days ahead might hold.

“But Tuiren did everything on her own terms. With that huge strength and determination of hers, she made it out of hospital and back home, where she went on to have another wonderful year filled with fun, love and precious memories with her family and friends.

“The bracelet queen, everyone who met this gorgeous girl was struck by her incredible style, colour and spirit. We know so many wonderful charities and people rallied around Tuiren and her family to give her as much happiness, support and magic in life as she so deserved.”

The charity added: “We’re incredibly proud that Oscar’s Kids got to be a little part of Tuiren’s journey, and especially grateful that we got to meet this unforgettable girl ourselves this summer in Dublin Zoo.

“The world is forever a little brighter and more colourful because Tuiren was in it.

“We send all our love and strength to her heartbroken Mam and Dad, Patrick and Deirdre, her brother Lochlainn and sister Neala and to everyone who knew and adored this beautiful girl.”

Next weekend, a team of 25 friends and family members will come together at Killruddery Estate in Co. Wicklow to take on an extraordinary challenge to raise vital funds and awareness for 17 charities that have supported Tuiren, her family and countless other children and families facing serious illness.

The Friends of Tuiren team will take part in Hell & Back Endure, a gruelling 12-hour endurance challenge that will see participants tackle a 5km obstacle course every hour, on the hour.

“Over the past four years, our family has been supported by so many incredible people and organisations often when we didn’t know where to turn.” said Tuiren’s dad Patrick.

“The charities we’re fundraising for have helped us in so many different ways and have been there for us when we needed them most.

“Friends of Tuiren was set up as a way of giving something back and saying thank you.

“Seeing 25 of our friends and family take on this challenge means so much to us. We know it will be tough, but we hope that by doing it together we can raise more awareness and funds to help these charities continue supporting other families like ours.”

To support Friends of Tuiren and find out more about their fundraising efforts click here.

A Mass of the Angels was held for Tuiren on Sunday in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Gortnahoe, with her family asking mourners attending the ceremony to wear bright clothes in memory of the brave youngster.