The impact of the deaths of firefighters Brian Murray and Mark O'Shaughnessy has spread far beyond Bray, with a group of New York firefighters who survived the attacks of September 11th, 2001, travelling to Ireland this weekend to attend the men's funerals.
Hundreds of messages of support have also been sent from firefighters in the UK, and from places as far afield as Cyprus and the tiny outback town of Brewarrina in New South Wales, Australia.
Bray was a sombre town yesterday, as locals paid tribute to the two men by signing a book of condolence at the town council or by visiting the site of the deaths.
Mr Murray's family gathered at his home. They were comforted by the support shown by locals and others, said Mr Murray's brother, Noel.
Brian Murray met the New York firefighters after he volunteered to help with the clean-up of Ground Zero in March 2002, said Mr Murray's second-eldest son, Darren, 25. "The other guys at the station let them know as soon as it happened," said Mr Murray. "They're arriving on Saturday morning."
The New York firefighters are likely to be joined by hundreds, if not thousands, of Bray residents at the funerals, judging by the response from those who signed the condolence book at the Bray Town Council chambers.
There was a solemn atmosphere inside the building as those who queued to sign the book spoke in whispers. Many of those who stood in line were visibly upset.
"Down along where I live it's pretty sombre today," said local resident Gillian Donohue. "It's pretty tragic."
"Some people who couldn't come and sign have asked me to write their names in the book," said Mary Rawson, from Bray's Dargle Road.
"Bray is just a very sad town today," said Cllr Brid Collins, cathaoirleach of Bray Town Council.
Local man Aidan Casey said: "I went to school with Mark, all through primary and secondary school. I heard about it yesterday, but it didn't hit home that he was gone until I read it in the paper today."
Dozens of floral bouquets were placed at the entrance to the disused factory where Mr Murray and Mr O'Shaughnessy died. Mr Murray's family had left one of the bouquets. "To Grandad. We love you and will miss you," read the card.