WATCH: Incredible tribute sand art created in Waterford to honour Irish and New York firefighters on anniversary of 9/11

A truly stunning piece of art was created on a beach on the Waterford coast as a tribute to the young girl in whose honour the charity, Aoibheann's Pink Tie is named, and as an acknowledgement of visiting firefighters from New York marking the anniversary of 9/11.

The sand art portrait of the late Aoibheann Norman, by sand artist Sean Corcoran and his friend Joe Lonergan, was created at Kilmurrin Cove on Wednesday, September 11, to coincide with the passing of the 9/11 New York firefighters’ cycle from Dublin to Cork. 

The cyclists are raising funds for Aoibheann's Pink Tie and Friends of Firefighters, Inc. 

Sean came across the following brave words from Aoibheann's dad, Jimmy, and they inspired him to create the artwork: 'My darling Aoibheann, look what you have done, my darling baby girl you have brought the world together. I hope that in some way you are proud. I will love you until all of the stars disappear. But I know you are always there for me. Love is a light that never goes out. I could not imagine or love more because you are always in my heart. I will never forget you or give up. Your daddy, Jimmy.'

Aoibheann died from a rare type of cancer when she was just 8 years old and in a statement to Waterford News & Star, Seán said: "It was a real pleasure to meet Aoibheann’s dad, Jimmy, on the sand and for him to be part of quite an emotional gathering. The crew from the cycle race formed a guard of honour and applauded him as he ventured onto the beach and realised that we had created a larger-than-life portrait of his daughter. He had been told we were doing something but had no idea what it was. He strolled around the artwork in peaceful awe and wrote her name on her right ear. Everyone was very respectful and there was a great sense of camaraderie."

Seán said Jimmy informed him that the photo he was working from to create the sand art piece was taken on Aoibheann’s first day of school. "We were against the clock trying to complete the portrait between the showers and the returning tide and we just about managed to get it done as the crew and cyclists arrived," said Seán.

"Aoibheann would have been 23 years old now, if she had survived cancer," he added.

"Somehow I think I’ve captured something of a timeless portrait of her. It’s certainly not her at age 4, apart from her hair and school uniform, but I think her facial expressions reveal a more mature young woman, which I am pleased with.”

Seán asked that people please consider donating to Aoibheann's Pink Tie Charity which helps children (and their families) during their battle with cancer. To support the charity go online to https://aoibheannspinktie.ie/donate/ 

"Well done to the NRFA - National Retained Firefighters Association of Ireland - and Friends of Firefighters for organising this worthy event to coincide with the 23rd anniversary of 9/11," said Seán.