9/11 Memorial unveiled at Waterford’s Bishop’s Palace Gardens
A poignant memorial, consisting of a steel girder from the rubble of New York’s former World Trade Center, has been erected in Waterford to remember all those who lost their lives on September 11th 2001.
Local glassworker Seán Egan was instrumental in the project which received support from Waterford City & County Council, local businesses and the Emergency Services. He had earlier worked on a commemorative piece featuring a 9/11 scene, which was donated to the Fire Department of New York City by Seán and Waterford Crystal.
Upon a further meeting with Brewster, Massachusetts Fire Chief, Robert Moran when Egan was working on a sculpture commemorating the Boston Marathon bombings, the subject of acquiring a piece of steel from 9/11 for a memorial in Waterford arose. Seán, who has built up a relationship with the FDNY, commented:
“We sincerely hope that the memorial is a fitting tribute to the first responders who lost their lives on 9/11 many of whom have Irish connections and it is also in honour of our own first responders who keep us safe”.
The well attended ceremony, which took place on September 16th in glorious weather at Waterford’s Bishop’s Palace, was addressed by Mayor of Waterford City & County, Declan Doocey and retired Chief of the Mount Kisco Fire Department, Ralph Ingenieri, who was accompanied by his wife Rose and other members of the FDNY. Many members of Waterford’s Emergency Services were also in attendance. Mayor Doocey added:
” We sincerely hope that this memorial is a fitting tribute to all those who died on 9/11/2001 including, 343 New York City Fire Department, 37 Port Authority Police Department members and many other first responders.”
