A tribute to a teenager who died before the Irish show Fittest Family aired

Bright clothes were the only hint of color on the painfully dark day on which Irish Fittest Family contestant Cillian Flaherty was laid to rest.

At the bittersweet request of the family, those attending the 15-year-old’s funeral in the church of St. Philip the Apostle at Mountview in Dublin was asked to wear bright colors, including sky blue.

Cillian was found dead on Monday, just days before the new season of RTÉ’s hit TV show Ireland’s Fittest Family, on which he competed with his family, was scheduled to air.

The first episode was postponed after news broke of Cillian’s sudden death.

At Saturday’s funeral service, gifts including Cillian’s phone, his No. 6 shirt, a hairbrush, a Player of the Year trophy and a family photo reminded him of how his life was gone too soon.

But what was most striking was the blue coffin, signed with heartfelt messages from countless friends and loved ones.

Cillian’s brother Kian gave a moving eulogy which was met with applause from mourners.

In it, he talked about Cillian’s inability to lie and the amazing impressions he gave Cillian.

“I love you more than anything in the world,” he said of his brother.

“We were best friends. No matter how many fights we had, we just forgot about them and went on with our lives 10 minutes later.

“I will miss coming home from work and learning what POA is.

“For anyone who doesn’t know, POA is a plan of action.

“You just said, ‘I’m just going with the flow, bro.’

“You were the kindest soul with the biggest heart.”

Kian described his brother as “a strong, handsome man who was never without foundation.”

“You have been a mama’s boy all your life. Me and dad would often annoy you and she would come and say, “Leave him alone… stop giving in to him.”

He described the impact Cillian had on his community.

“The impact you have had on the community is overwhelming and incredible.

“I have never seen a group of friends so large and caring in my life.

“We have been lighting the place for you over the last few days and there was no better person for whom we could do it.

“I can’t thank every single person who did this, who came to this house and came to the memorial.

“The support they have shown you and our family – messages, flowers, sandwiches, photos – everyone has just come and we are eternally grateful.

“I’m sorry you didn’t fulfill your dream and become a DJ like me.

“You were adamant that you would be rich and famous before me, and you got the famous role. You were all over the news. You were in every newspaper in the world. Your favorite rappers were screaming at you.”

Kian described his brother as a “wizard”.

“You had mountains of clothes, but for some reason you always wore tracksuits with holes in them.

“I never knew why.

“Even when they were wet, you would go down with the hair dryer and try to dry them and the socks.

“There was no safe for hairbrushes in the house. You broke off the handle, put it in your pocket and came back as you wanted.”

Cillian’s determination was most evident in his love of sport.

“No matter what injury you had, you always fought. He always said: “I will not give in to anyone.”

He remembered the bond he had with his grandmothers.

“I will forever cherish the memories we made, brother, for the rest of my life, but the one memory I will remember the most is our vacation to Orlando. You were in your element. Honestly, you thought you were in Call of Duty.

“You loved the roller coaster. I wasn’t a fan of them, but you and Katie went for the big ones. Me and Heidi stayed in the cups.”

Cillian was a third-year student at Blakestown Community School in west Dublin.

In the death notice posted on Rip.ie, the 15-year-old is remembered as the beloved son of Paula and Paul, dear brother of Kian and Heidi, and beloved grandson who will be sadly missed by his family, neighbors and a large group of good friends.