'Ireland's Bravest Family' - RTE airs moving episode of Ireland's Fittest Family after teen's death

It was an emotional watch for Ireland's Fittest Family viewers on Saturday night as RTE aired the episode which saw the late Cillian Flaherty participate in the competition. 

Cillian, aged just 15-years-old, tragically died in October 2024 just weeks after the show finished filming.

RTE shelved the original release date of the show after the sad news of Cillian's death, but the show has returned this January after his family gave them their blessings to include his scenes.

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Saturday night's episode showed the teenager from Whitestown, Dublin in all his glory as he battled it out alongside his family in the popular competition. 

Before airing the episode, RTE shared pictures of Cillian and his family, saying: "Remembering Cillian Flaherty. His spirit, determination, and strength shone brightly on Ireland's Fittest Family. As his family's episode airs this evening, our thoughts are with his loved ones."

"This is some individual performance by Cillian Flaherty" #IrelandsFittestFamily pic.twitter.com/AmDPuBWZgM

— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) January 11, 2025

Cillian had an outstanding performance in the episode, with the show's narrator Darragh Maloney praising the teenager's determination: "This is some individual performance by Cillian Flaherty."

There has been a huge reaction online to the show, with an outpouring of support from viewers for Cillian and his family.

One person wrote on X: "What a performance from the Flaherty family. But must be so difficult for the family and friends to watch this."

Another commented on Facebook: "Lumps in the throat watching the programme. Strong brave lovely boy."

Someone else said: "They will gain strength from it and no greater tribute could his family pay him. He was brilliant and they were all proud of him. A happy memory of how great they worked as a family competing together. Cillian's family showed great strength and courage in allowing the programme to be aired."

You can watch the episode now on RTE Player.