9/11 memorial charity cycle visits Dungarvan in Co Waterford

More than 150 firefighters from America and across Ireland cycled into Dungarvan as part of a charity cycle to remember their colleagues who died in the 9/11 attacks 23 years ago.

The firefighters arrived into Dungarvan on Tuesday evening, and stayed overnight in The Park Hotel. The cyclists continued on to Kinsale, County Cork, the next morning, after calling into Dungarvan Fire Station.

In a statement on social media, Dungarvan Fire Service said: “It was a great morning to have the New York firefighters head off on their final day of cycling towards Kinsale in support of Aoibheann's Pink Tie.” 

“As the day continues we remember all the victims of the attacks, and all those that have passed since," said the fire service. "Our thoughts are with our colleagues at the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) , NYPD and every first responder who was there on that terrible day.”

Sinn Féin Councillor for Dungarvan and Waterford, Conor McGuinness was present at the event and speaking to local media said: "It was great to meet with visiting firefighters from New York and with many retained firefighters from around Ireland, including our own Craig Sheehan. This sponsored cycle is months in the planning and involves well over a hundred cyclists drawn from fire services across Ireland and from the FDNY.” 

The charity peloton continued on to Kinsale where they planted a sapling from a tree located on the site of the Twin Towers in the 9/11 memorial garden in Kinsale. on Wednesday night. The cross-country cycle is aiming to raise money for the Friends of Firefighters of New York, a New York-based non-profit, as well as Aoibheann’s Pink Tie, a charity providing support for children suffering from cancer in Ireland.

Jimmy Norman, one of the founders of Aoibheann’s Pink Tie and father of Aoibheann, joined the cycle and thanked the firefighters for taking part in the charity cycle.