Tributes have been paid to a young woman from Galway who has been described as the ‘brightest star in the sky’ after her death. Mairéad Mahon passed away peacefully in Inverin Co Galway , surrounded by her family and friends, on Thursday, September 19, after a courageous battle against illness. Mairéad is survived by her husband Donnchadh, her parents James and Bernie, sisters Deirdre and Gráinne and her brother Diarmuid.

Her Rip.ie death notice reads: ‘Mahon, (Na Creagáin, Inverin, Co. Galway), September 19, 2024, Mairéad, peacefully at her residence surrounded by her loving husband and family.

‘Deeply mourned by her heartbroken family, her husband Donnchadh, her parents James and Bernie, sister Deirdre and her partner Maitiú, sister Gráinne and her husband Máirtín, brother Diarmuid and his husband Anthony, father and mother-in-law Gerard and Madeline Mahon, uncles, aunt, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.’ Tributes continue to pour in for Mrs Mahon, who is understood to be recently married to her college sweetheart, with friends and neighbours describing her as ‘warm and genuine’, always with a ‘smile on her face.’ ‘I lived with Mairéad in San Diego on a J1, and she was absolutely beautiful inside and out,’ wrote one.

‘I remember her talking about Donnacadh a lot that summer. Sending love to her husband and family during this difficult time.’ ‘We worked with her in Bord Gáis.