Caoimhe Dylan Keenan, an 11-year-old girl from County Wicklow described as extraordinarily courageous, has died following a diagnosis with a rare form of cancer. She passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, June 28, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.
Diagnosis and Battle
Caoimhe was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, an uncommon cancer, just months after her 10th birthday. Her sister, Cara, recounted to DublinLive last July how the family's concerns began when a GP identified a stomach bug. After a week without improvement, her parents brought her to the hospital, where doctors noticed a lump in her mouth. Initially thought to be dental, a dentist ruled that out. A scope revealed it was not nasal, and a biopsy on July 14 confirmed the diagnosis.
In 2025, a close family friend set up a GoFundMe page to support Caoimhe and her family, raising over €55,000.
Family's Tribute
Her 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.'
A funeral mass will be held at the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace in Bray on Friday, July 3, at 10:30 am, followed by a committal service at Mount Jerome Crematorium. The family invites attendees to wear bright colors in honor of her 'fiery and energetic spirit.'
The Keenan family thanked the staff of St John's Ward in Crumlin, the North Wicklow Hospice team, the Keeley D Foundation, and the Gavin Glynn Foundation for their support. They requested donations to the Gavin Glynn and Keeley D Foundation in lieu of flowers, adding: 'Time's forever frozen still.'
Outpouring of Tributes
Heartfelt tributes have flooded in from family, friends, and the public. One family wrote: 'Matt, Martina, Cara and JJ we are truly heartbroken for you all … She showed so much strength and resilience over the last 12 months, she fought so hard. She was and always will be our warrior.'
Another person said: 'We are so deeply saddened for your immeasurable loss … Caoimhe was a beautiful and special young girl, and we will continue to think of her and remember her with awe.'
A further tribute read: '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.'
