25 years on from 9/11: The profound loss suffered by New York’s Irish community

From Ground Zero to memorials in Kildare and Cork, Ireland has a deep connection to those lost on September 11

Cork woman Ruth Clifford McCourt, right, with her daughter Juliana and her best friend, Paige Farley Hackel. All three perished on 9/11. Ruth's brother Ronnie Clifford survived, having fled the World Trade Center as the plane with Ms Hackel on board struck the north tower. Minutes later, the second plane, with Ruth and Juliana on board, struck the south tower. Picture: The Echo

Though the attacks of September 11 were very much an attack on America, the Irish and Irish-American community suffered a profound loss on September 11, 2001.

New York’s large Irish community was deeply connected to the World Trade Center, the FDNY, the NYPD, and the emergency services.