Parents of Toy Show star Saoirse Ruane open up about life after her sad passing
Ollie and Roseanna Ruane were guests on tonight's Late Late Show, when they spoke about life without their precious daughter, who touched the hearts of the nation in 2020
The parents of beloved Toy Show star Saoirse Ruane have opened up about life without their precious daughter, who passed away following a brave battle with cancer earlier this year.
Roseanna and Ollie Ruane were guests on tonight’s Late Late Show, where they recalled Saoirse’s famous appearance on the Toy Show, and spoke about coping with her devastating loss.
Ollie revealed that people are coming from as far as Canada to visit her final resting place, which they call “Saoirse’s Garden” because they don’t like the words “grave” or “graveyard”.
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He and Roseanna visit twice a day, in the morning and the evening, along with Saoirse’s sister Farrah-Rose. He told host Patrick Kielty that it was comforting to see so many people visit “because the love continues”.
Roseanna told an emotional Patrick that Saoirse never let her celebrity status in the wake of her Toy Show appearance to go to her head, and “never let it change her”.
“She was very grounded and very humble, and that was a lovely way to be,” she said.
Ollie said the support the family has received from people following their tragedy had been a source of great comfort.
“I don’t think we realised how much support we had until [her passing] broke in the news and was on RTÉ that morning. I suppose it helped us as well, knowing that so many people loved Saoirse. It was comforting for us,” he added.
Meanwhile, Roseanna said the couple are trying to ensure that Farrah-Rose has “as much of a normal childhood as possible” since her sister’s death.
We had a bit of a challenge on our hands to have Farrah-Rose,” she said. “There was a seven year gap [between her and Saoirse]. We were quite determined to give Saoirse a sibling and to have someone to play with.
“We finally got our Farrah-Rose. She’d often say to me, ‘How did you know you wanted me?’ I’d say ‘We asked God for a Saoirse and then I asked God for a Farrah-Rose and you arrived.’ And she thinks this is great, you know?
“But I think it’s only now I’m realising that she wasn’t sent to be a sibling to Saoirse. She was actually sent to carry us, because I wouldn’t be doing as good as I am if I didn’t have her to get out of bed for in the morning.
“If anything, she deserves as much of a normal childhood as we can give her. So, as much as we did with Saoirse, making memories, we’ll do the same for Farrah-Rose because she deserves it,” added Roseanna.
Saoirse raised millions of euro for charity following her Toy Show appearance, and Patrick said the “touch paper she lit” will continue to light up so many kids’ lives.
Community Foundation Ireland is giving a grant of up to €150,000 to this year’s Toy Show appeal in Saoirse’s memory, and Ollie said they would make sure it is used for a cause that she would approve of.
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