Ciara Kelly has spoken of her gratitude for the ‘overwhelming’ support she has received since revealing her sister Dara’s passing on Tuesday.
Dara, her elder sister, passed away after what she called ‘a shortage but fairly ferocious battle with cancer’ as revealed in her 100 Days of Walking video.
In the heartbreaking clip, she described how their family is shocked and devastated, but taking a small glimmer of comfort in knowing that Dara is now at peace.
Ciara Kelly. Pic: Ciara Kelly/Instagram
Since announcing the sad news, she has received an avalanche of support and condolences from around the country.
That included Carl Mullen, who wrote: ‘Oh Ciara, I am so sorry for your loss, look after yourself and Claire Brock, who also shared her sympathy, writing: ‘I’m so very sorry to hear this, Ciara.
‘My deepest sympathies to you and your family. Sending love.’
In her latest video, Ciara thanked all those who had reached out to her and, in particular, those who have been able to give her a glimpse of her sister’s life that she wasn’t previously aware of.
Ciara Kelly with her daughter. Pic: Ciara Kelly/Instagram
‘Can I just say thank you to the thousands of people who have messaged me? It’s overwhelming. I haven’t been able to reply to them all or anything like that, but it was unbelievable kindness and decency.
‘I really do appreciate it, especially as I’ve been getting lovely messages from past pupils and colleagues of my sister who are just saying such nice things but who are also just giving me genuine glimpses into parts of her life that I wouldn’t have known about because other peoples work you don’t know how how it works, how it operates so thank you.
‘Thank you so much, it has lifted me in that, and I do sincerely feel lucky and grateful to everyone who has been so kind.’
She signed off her message, musing how life carries on, and it’s her daughter Aisling’s birthday on Wednesday.
‘It’s my eldest’s birthday today, life just keeps coming at once, but anyway, we soldier on, it’s going to be a bit of a marathon week, I suspect and yeah, thank you guys, I really do appreciate it.’