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3rd April 2024
10:33am BST
The funerals of Una Carlin Bowden, Ciara, and Saoirse are set to take place this morning just over a week after they were killed in Mayo.
The mother and her two daughters were killed on Tuesday, March 26, when their vehicle struck a lorry on a section of the N17 between Knock and Claremorris.
The family had lived in Gortachalla, Moycullen, Co Galway, for several years and the girls attended school locally.
Both Saoirse and Ciara were former members of Oughterard Rugby Club, with PRO Julie Ann Brown saying the club and wider community were "devastated" to hear the news.
"The Bowdens were very active in many sports, both in Maigh Cuilinn and in Oughterard, so it's such a tragedy for the area," Ms Brown told RTÉ's Morning Ireland show.
"Three beautiful, kind, loving, caring ladies just gone in a moment."
Ms Brown said that while the community is in shock, people are coming together to remember Úna and her daughters.
"They were very quiet girls, yet they had this beautiful energy about them and their smiles really lit up the rooms and the playing fields and every photo we have of them through the Oughterard girls' rugby is of them smiling.
"So it's a beautiful tribute to have and a wonderful memory and legacy to have of their wonderful vibrant spirits", Ms Brown said.
In a post last Wednesday, local basketball club Cumann Cispheile Mhaigh Cuilinn said: “It is with enormous sadness that Cumann Cispheile Mhaigh Cuilinn has learned of the tragic deaths of our neighbours and clubmates Una, Ciara, and Saoirse Bowden.
"The Bowdens were active in many sports throughout our community.
"Ciara had been selected for the Galway Area girls under-14 basketball team.
"The thoughts and prayers of everyone in Cumann Cispheile Mhaigh Cuilinn are with the family, friends, and teammates of the Bowden family. "
On Sunday the three were taken from Mayo University Hospital to Una's father's home in Donegal.
They were escorted along the journey by four Garda motorcycles and two Garda cars.
They arrived to the home of Una's father in Milltown, Raphoe, shortly after 5.30pm.
The funeral procession is set to leave the home at 11am today (April 3) and will head to St Eunan's Church for the funeral mass at midday.
As per the families wishes, Una will be buried with Ciara and Saoirse in Donegal.
The family have asked for any donations to be made to Madra, a cat and dog rescue centre in Galway which was a charity supported by both Ciara and Saoirse.
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