US ambassador Dan Rooney and his wife Patricia visited Dernabruck National School at Cloontia, near Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommonm yesterday.
Patricia Rooney attended the school as a youngster before she emigrated. She expressed delight yesterday at the warm reception she received from pupils and parents on her return there.
The ambassador and his wife later attended a ceremony in Ballaghaderreen at the initiative of local firefighters. The heroism and sacrifice of the firefighters and police officers who died in the September 11th, 2001, attacks on New York was recalled.
Mr Rooney unveiled a simple memorial, the only one of its kind in Ireland, at the town’s fire station. It comprises a traditional Irish stone wall and a flagged path.
Among those attending yesterday’s ceremony was New York police officer Patrick Kerins, a second-generation Irishman, who lost a number of close colleagues in the 9/11 attacks.
“I came to Ireland for a visit,” Mr Kerins said. “I never realised this event was going on until told by a relative. This lovely ceremony has really put the topping on our trip.”
The ceremony included a blessing by the Bishop of Achonry, Dr Brendan Kelly.
In a brief address, the ambassador said that, on behalf of President Barack Obama, he wanted to thank all of those who attended the ceremony and said it was especially pleasing that there were so many young people present – ambassadors of Ireland for the future.
Mícheál Frain, fire station officer in Ballaghaderreen, said the world changed on 9/11 and the world of the firefighter changed also.
The memorial, which will be floodlit at night, was conceived to express solidarity with the firefighters and police officers, many of whom had Irish ancestry and connections.