Irish girl who died in tragic balcony fall on holiday in Spain named locally

Clodagh Phelan, the 11-year-old Irish girl who died after a fall while on holiday in Spain with her family, is being remembered as “beautiful” and “spirited.”

Clodagh was "one of our juvenile athletes and friend to many of our younger athletes," Parnell Athletics Club, based in Co Wicklow, said on social media on Monday.

The club said it was "truly heartbroken" to share the "devastating news" of Clodagh's tragic passing.

"Clodagh was a beautiful, spirited child and a great athlete who excelled in many sports, not just athletics," the club said.

The club offered its thoughts and prayers to Clodagh's immediate and extended family.

"As a mark of respect and to allow us all time to grieve the loss of Clodagh, there will be no training until further notice."

Bill Porter, Chairperson of Parnell Athletic Club and Wicklow Athletic Society, told the Irish Independent that Clodagh had a “lovely personality” and was “loved by everybody so much."

He said Clodagh had been involved in the club from a young age, along with her father.

"It's just a tragedy. She's such an all-rounder sportsperson - from rugby to Gaelic to camogie and she would have been a big star in the future.

“It's a devastating blow to our club, all our friends, all the schools, and to her family.

“Everyone's on the phones all day today, and it's really hard to get our heads around it, it's going to take a while for it to sink in.

“She’s only 11 years of age and she was loved by everybody so much. She was lovely, she had such a great smile and such a lovely personality.

“Condolences to the family and all our club colleagues. She will be sadly missed by all our club,” he added.

Later on Monday, Ireland’s Taoiseach Simon Harris responded to the "tragic loss" of the 11-year-old girl.

"So much promise and personality snatched away in a terrible accident," he said.

So sad to hear of the tragic loss of Clodagh Phelan. So much promise and personality snatched away in a terrible accident. Thoughts with her family and community at this truly awful time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam. https://t.co/oQB7rmgLUE

— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) July 22, 2024

Clodagh and her family were staying at the Club Mac Hotel in Alcúdia, on the Spanish island of Mallorca, at the time of her unfortunate death.

“We are investigating the death of an 11-year-old Irish girl who died after plunging from a seventh-floor terrace at a hotel in Alcúdia," a spokesperson for Spain's Civil Guard in Mallorca told The Irish Mirror on Monday.

"The first emergency calls came in around 6:45 this morning.”

The Irish Mirror further reported on Monday that local police in Alcúdia, who are employed by the town hall and were among the first on the scene, said in a statement: "Around 6:45 this morning an alert was received saying a person had fallen from the balcony of their apartment on the Mac Hotels hotel complex.

"Immediately officers from this police unit as well as the Civil Guard and paramedics went to the scene.

"Once they were there they discovered an 11-year-old Irish girl who was already dead and had fallen from a seventh-floor balcony for reasons which are still being investigated.

"We wish to send our condolences to the family of this young girl. Rest in peace."