The 25thanniversary of the 9/11 attacks that resulted in the loss of almost 3,000 lives in New York was marked with a special commemorative event in Ballymote on Friday last, September 11.

Held at the town’s National Memorial to the Fighting 69th Regiment and the victims of 9/11, former Ambassador to United States of America, Daniel Mulhall, was the special guest at the commemoration which was marked with a minute’s silence followed by the ringing of church bells at 1.46pm, the exact moment that the North Tower was struck by an aircraft.

The ceremonial part of the memorial service began with a colour party led by Captain Brian Dunne of the 28th Infantry Batallion while retired members of the 19th Infantry Batalion were also in attendance.

Following the playing of the Star-Spangled Banner and Amhrán na bhFiann the flags of America, Ireland and the New York Fire Department were raised. Local Firefighter Marek Herej raised the NYFD flag, Chief Superintendant Aidan Glacken raised the American flag while the Irish flag was raised by Mr Mulhall.

Addressing the assembled gathering former Fine Gael junior Minister John Perry spoke of the importance of remembering the 2,749 innocent lives lost from 91 countries, “Including one of our own, Kieran Gorman.”

He also acknowledged the first responders and the families “who suffered unimaginable loss,” adding, “We reaffirm our commitment to peace, unity and friendship.

Prayer and reflection was offered by Rev Andrew Ison and Fr James McDonagh with both remembering those lives taken as well as those who tried to help and those who mourn the victims.

After a wreath was laid by Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr Dara Mulvey, all paused for a minute of silent reflection which was followed by the ringing of the church bells.

The event was brought to a close with an address from former ambassador Mulhall who said 9/11 was one of only two international events that he felt everybody knew where they were; the other being the assination of JFK.

He recalled watching the events of 25 years ago unfold on a television screen in his Edinburgh office, knowing when the second tower was hit the sheer enormity of what was unfolding in front of the world’s eyes.

He expressed the view that the events of September 11 marked the end of an era of worldwide positivity that was marked by events such as the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the release of Nelson Mandela and the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

Pointing for reasons for positivity, former Ambassador Mulhall referred to the success that so many Irish made of their time in America and the hugely positive relationship that exists between the countries over the past 100 years, expressing the view, “I don’t think we would have had independence when we did only for Irish-Americans.”

Noting the significance of the relationship between the countries between the decades he referred to the significance of the presentation of a bowl of shamrock on St Patrick’s Day, a tradition that has been upheld since the 1950s when Irish Ambassador John Joseph Hearne made a delivery to the White House.

“Every Taoiseach does it and every President welcomes him,” noted Mr Mulall.

He also recounted his memories of the negotiations prior to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement when word would circulate that the White House was on the phone, illustrating for everybody the significance of events.

His also recalled Nancy Pelosi, the first female speaker of the House of Representatives commenting in the wake of Brexit, with Mr Mulhall expressing the view, “Those words were a major factor, I think, in avoiding the imposition of a hard border.”

He also noted that the United States has become the number one export market for Irish goods adding, “The bedrock remains the people to people dimension, the six million people who went across the Atlantic. People four and five generations removed from Ireland still have a huge affinity to Ireland, “he added.

“Our people when they left this land, they never forgot their heritage. I think the unique relationship with Ireland will continue to be an asset, it is a lasting one, it doesn’t depend on who is Taoiseach or who is President. Long may it continue, it continues to have great value.”

Reflecting on the commemorative ceremony in Ballymote he said, “This is just one beautiful example of how every corner in Ireland has international connections.

“Emigration was a great tragedy but one of its benefits was it turned us into a global phenomenon. We should be thankful to those emigrants, there sacrifices have rebounded for the benefit of Ireland.”

The ceremony was brought to a conclusion by Fr James McDonagh playing a lament on the flute.

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.