Ronan Keating became emotional as he opened up about the tragic loss of his brother, Ciaran, who died in a car crash in July 2023. Speaking on the BBC show Ronan Keating’s Wild Atlantic, the Boyzone star, 49, was visibly moved as he reflected on the biggest regret of his life — his strained relationship with Ciaran.
With tears in his eyes, Ronan shared: “I grew up quickly and made a lot of sacrifices. I lost a lot and missed out on many moments with him.”
Ronan’s heartfelt confession came during a poignant conversation with his nephew Ruairi, Ciaran’s son, where he admitted that he never got the chance to express how much he admired his older brother. “He was my hero,” Ronan said. “I always looked up to him. But I had to grow up fast, and in doing that, I missed so much.”
Ronan went on to explain that since Ciaran’s death, he’s struggled with grief, admitting, “I haven’t really dealt with it… I haven’t been able to grieve properly.”
The emotional conversation also turned to Ruairi’s experience dealing with the loss of his father. Ruairi tearfully shared, “It’s hard, especially after football games. I always checked my phone hoping to see a message from him.” 
Ronan comforted his nephew, assuring him, “He was so proud of you, and he’ll always be proud of you. You were his world, his pride, and joy.”
Speaking to Bella Magazine, Ronan revealed he hasn’t fully “unboxed” his grief and has been in therapy since Ciaran’s passing. “I still struggle with it,” he admitted. “Grief never fully goes away.”
While filming Ronan Keating’s Wild Atlantic, the show initially started as a celebration of Ireland’s stunning west coast but evolved into a deeply personal exploration of his brother’s life and legacy. Ronan reflected on Ciaran’s decision to live there, calling it an emotional and beautiful journey.
“This journey became more about understanding Ciaran’s choice to live here and what drew him to this part of Ireland,” Ronan explained. “It turned into a very personal exploration of his love for the West Coast.”
The journey turned into a family affair, with Ronan’s brother Gary, his nephews, and close friends joining him in Donegal. “It was important to me that it didn’t feel like a lonely pilgrimage,” Ronan added.
Ronan Keating’s Wild Atlantic airs on BBC Two and is available to stream on iPlayer.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
