Commemorations are being held in New York and around the world to mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attack on America.
On Saturday, US President Donald Trump arrives in Ireland for a visit that includes a courtesy call to President Catherine Connolly in Áras an Uachtaráin and an overnight stay in Doonbeg to watch the Irish Open golf tournament.
Award-winning writer Colum McCann speaks to Fran McNulty on Behind the Story. Mr McCann, who lives in New York, reflects on the anniversary of 9/11 and how much America has changed since that day.
A changing America
Mr McCann’s father-in-law, Roger Hawke was in the North Tower on 9/11 and survived the attack.
Recalling how Isabelle, Colum’s young daughter, reacted when her grandfather came home smelling of smoke that day, she described him as ‘burning from the inside out’.
Mr McCann said it seems to be a fitting description now.
“I still think of it as almost like an advanced metaphor for what has happened to America: a country burning from the inside out,” he said.
“I don’t attribute the ‘burning’ necessarily to 9/11, but I do remember that moment.”
Mr McCann said he knew that day, he would write a novel about the Twin Towers.
Let the Great World Spin was published in 2008 and went on to win the US National Book Award.
On President Donald Trump’s visit to Ireland, Mr McCann said he is sure we will show dignity.
“I’m shocked, frankly, that things have come to this in American politics – maybe I shouldn’t be shocked,” he said.
“I can see it happening in other parts of the world, of course.
“I’m sure we’ll act with a great deal of dignity when it comes to Trump because why even bother inflaming him and giving him the oxygen that he so desperately deserves?”
Mr McCann said he believes the tide is turning on US politics and President Trump’s policies.
“I’m really upset about what has occurred; about the assault on democracy, the assault on immigrants – all of these things going on,” he said, but he remains hopeful for the US.
“I still have a certain amount of hope, certainly for New York, but I still have a great amount of hope for what can and might happen still in the United States on the political scene.”
“There’s a lot of good people around and there’ll be a lot of kick back against some of the more vulgar things that we’re seeing unfolding at this particular time.”
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