Alisha Dillon, 18, from Darndale in north Dublin, passed away unexpectedly surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, June 21
11:25, 27 Jun 2026Updated 11:31, 27 Jun 2026
Alisha Dillon
A secondary school in Co Dublin has paid tribute to a teenager with “a kind heart and huge creative talents” who tragically died just weeks after finishing her Leaving Cert examinations.
Alisha Dillon, 18, from Darndale, died “unexpectedly surrounded by her loving family and in the wonderful care of staff at Beaumont Hospital” on Sunday, 21 June, according to her death notice posted on RIP.ie.
The teenager has been described as the “bubbly, caring, kind hearted and cherished daughter of Ashling and Dermot, treasured and much loved sister of Adam and Amber, adored granddaughter of Anto (Masher), loving and devoted girlfriend of Daragh”.
“Alisha will be forever missed and always remembered with love by her mam, dad, brother sister, grandad, boyfriend, aunts uncles, cousins, extended family, friends and neighbours,” the notice reads.
Alisha attended Mercy College Coolock and had only recently completed her Leaving Cert exams earlier this month. The school has posted a moving tribute to the teenager on social media following her unexpected death, reports the Irish Mirror.
Alisha’s funeral mass will be held at the Church of Our Lady Immaculate, Darndale on Monday
“It is with profound sadness that we have learned of the sudden passing of Alisha Dillon from our Leaving Certificate Class of 2026,” a spokesperson for the school said. “Alisha had a kind heart, huge creative talents and a beautiful smile. She was a loyal, caring friend and absolutely adored her family. We were so proud to see her sit the Leaving Cert and to see her grow into the wonderful young woman she had become.
“We extend our heartfelt sympathies to her family and friends at this time of immeasurable grief. May Alisha’s gentle soul rest in peace.”
School officials confirmed that Mercy College would reopen on Tuesday to enable students and staff to honour Alisha’s memory and gather in collective support, while a book of condolence has been made available in the prayer room.
One of Alisha’s previous teachers also posted a touching tribute to the teenager, stating: “My deepest condolences to Aishling, Dermot, Adam, Amber, Daragh and all Alisha’s family and friends. I am so sorry for your loss. I’m in shock. Alisha was in my form class and my guidance group. She was such a lovely young person, so polite and respectful and always so appreciative of help. She is a huge loss. May she rest in peace.”
Alisha had recently completed her Leaving Cert examinations at Mercy College Coolock
Alisha was a pupil at Our Lady Immaculate Junior National School in Darndale, with a former teacher recalling her as a ” kind and talented child” in an emotional tribute posted online. “Ashling, Adam, Amber and Dermot, I am so so sorry to hear of the sudden passing of Alisha,” they said.
“I had the absolute pleasure of teaching her in Junior and Senior Infants in OLI JNS. She was such a beautiful, kind and talented child. May her gentle soul fly high with the angels.”
Alisha was employed at JD Sports, where a colleague described how “she had the kindest heart and always made the people around her laugh,” adding that “she will be sorely missed by us all.”
Alisha will lie in repose at Jennings Funeral Home, Oscar Traynor Road, Coolock on Saturday from 12-2pm. Removal on Monday morning to the Church of Our Lady Immaculate, Darndale arriving for Funeral Mass at 11am followed by burial in Balgriffin Cemetery Ext.
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