Tributes pour in for beloved Saoírse Ruane who is to be laid to rest today

Crowds are expected to gather later today to say farewell to Saoírse Ruane, the little girl who inspired the Toy Show Appeal.

The 12-year-old passed away peacefully at home in the arms of her heartbroken parents, Ollie and Roseanna, on Tuesday, March 5.

Saoírse's funeral will take place in Kiltullagh at 2pm.

Over the last few days, tributes have been pouring in for the little girl who captured hearts across Ireland.

Her mother, Roseanne, posted a heart-shattering tribute to her little girl: "When there are no words. After a long courageous and dignified battle our hearts are shattered to tell you our beautiful little Saoírse took her final breath in our arms on Tuesday."

"We thank you our lovely followers for holding Saoírse and us in your thoughts these past few weeks,' Roseanna continued. 'We think of you all today also as we know how much Saoírse was loved by the nation and the effect she had on so many people’s lives.

"Cancer you stole her from us, the life we had and our dreams. Life will never be the same! We ask you to respect our privacy now as we take our last and final journey with our beautiful girl. Mamma Dadda & Farrah Rose," she said.

This morning, Ryan Tubridy paid tribute to the little girl on his radio show. 

"It's with a heavy heart that I start today's show with just a mention of the most remarkable young person... I just want to mention her today because, well, we're here together and today is the day, sadly, of the funeral," he said.

He told listeners about his first meeting with Saoirse. "I met Sasha on The Late Late Show when she came on to talk about her prosthetic leg and her battle with cancer. And we became friends, and it was most unlikely friendship herself and her mom, Rosanna, and her dad, Ollie and her little sister Farrah Rose became part of my extended family. It doesn't always happen with the Late Late Toy Show."

Ryan visited Saoirse and her family in Galway. 

"We had tea and cake and I suppose, ridiculously bouncing on her trampoline in the back garden," Ryan said.

On Friday, Patrick Kielty also paid tribute to the girl who “lit up our screens”.

"When Saoirse inspired the very first Toy Show appeal back then, little did any of us know that she was going to start something amazing. That in just four short years will help so many children and their families across Ireland. Saoirse lit a touch paper in the same way that she lit up our screens. And lit up the lives of her family and her friends,” Patrick Kielty said.

“And we know that her light will continue to shine for so many, for so many years to come. From everyone on the Late Late Show, we send our love tonight to Saoirse's family," he continued.

Saoírse was surrounded, as she has been throughout her illness, by the love, care and devotion of her family, the prayers and goodwill of the community in Kiltullagh and people all over the country who held Saoírse in their hearts.

Predeceased by her grandfather, Michael Ruane. Saoírse, adored daughter to Ollie and Roseanna, big sister to Farrah Rose, half-sister to Rebecca, granddaughter to Anne Ruane, Tony and Ann Brehony, an adored niece, cousin, family member and of course, best friend to Willow and Slush, was loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure.

A pupil of Kiltullagh National School, Saoírse will be missed but always remembered by her school friends and teachers, who have travelled the road with Saoírse on her journey, and were a source of joy and fun to her.