Ireland legend Shay Given suffers hearbreaking double Christmas bereavement

Former Irish goalkeeper Shay Given suffered double heartbreak over the Christmas period with the loss of his brother and uncle.

Kieran Given, Shay’s brother, died in Germany on December 23 ,while their uncle Ambrose Given died on Christmas Day. Both passed away following recent illnesses.

Kieran, formerly of Rossgier in Lifford, Co Donegal, died peacefully at his home in Altensteig, Germany, where his funeral took place on Saturday. Kieran was a popular singer-songwriter who also worked in photography.

He is survived by his wife Doris and their two sons, Joshua and Joel. He will also be missed by his father Seamus, stepmother Margaret, brothers Liam, Marcus, Shay and Paul, and sisters, Michelle, Sinéad and Jacqueline. A family notice on rip.ie says Kieran was much loved and will be sadly missed by the extended family and many friends in Donegal and in his adopted home in Germany.

Kieran Given

Ambrose, late of Knockagarron, Convoy, Co Donegal was laid to rest on Thursday following a funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Convoy. He died on Christmas Day at Donegal Hospice after a short illness.

He was stalwart of St. Mary’s GAA club in Convoy, which paid tribute, saying: “Thank you for everything you’ve done for the wee club. The pitch and grounds would not be there without your efforts and our other stalwarts who work tirelessly in the background.” He was also heavily involved with the Finn Valley Men’s Choir. They said: “From all of us in the choir, we wish to convey our sincere sympathy to the Given family on the sad passing of Ambrose.”

Ambrose Given

Shay Given, 47, who won 134 caps for the Republic of Ireland between 1996 and 2016, lost his mother Agnes to lung cancer when he was just four. Now working as a TV pundit with Virgin Media, he has helped to organise several fundraising events in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support in Donegal.

Speaking previously about grief, he said: “My dad had a tough time of course, there were six of us at the time. It was very tough for him. There is a story in the book about my aunties who offered through love to take a couple of kids each to try and share the burden on my dad, but he was having none of it. She told him to take care of the kids and don’t split them up. My dad deserves great credit.”

He added: “I used it as a strength while playing football. I’d say a few prayers before a game, pray to her and I think she was there helping me all the time. You hope she’d be proud of you looking down.”

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