Ringfinnan Garden of Remembrance

25th Anniversary

Events

Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 at Ringfinnan Garden of Remembrance

11 September, 2026

On Friday, 11 September 2026, our local community, alongside families and firefighters from near and far, came together in the tranquil surroundings of the Ringfinnan Garden of Remembrance to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks.

Curator of the garden, John Murphy wearing a light green jumper speaks at the wooden memorial podium. To his left stands an older man in a navy fire service dress uniform with medals, looking straight ahead respectfully. Behind them, an honour guard of firefighters in dark uniforms stands at attention in front of a field of maize. An Irish flag and the FDNY 343 memorial sculpture frame the scene, with rolling green countryside visible in the distance under a clear sky.
Emma Nash with long brown hair and sunglasses resting on her head speaks into a microphone at a light-coloured wooden podium featuring a Celtic cross carving. She is wearing a white top with black fringed details and a gold scarf. Behind her, a uniformed firefighter stands at attention next to an Irish flag and a dark metal FDNY 343 memorial sculpture, which sits on a large rough stone adorned with red roses. The background is filled by a field of tall maize.
A wider shot of the 9/11 anniversary ceremony at Ringfinnan Remembrance Garden. Virgil Horgan, dressed in a dark suit and glasses reads from a piece of paper at the central podium. A gathered crowd of civilians and firefighters in dress uniforms stand in a semi-circle on the gravel, listening attentively. The memorial area features an Irish flag, a red and white flag, and the FDNY 343 sculpture. The garden is bordered by a woven wicker fence and tall crops, overlooking a scenic view of the surrounding countryside.

A warm welcome

It was a deeply moving afternoon that honoured the enduring vision of the garden’s founder, Kathleen Murphy. Her nephew, John Murphy, warmly welcomed everyone, taking a moment to express heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated volunteers who quietly maintain the space just as Kathleen intended. The air was filled with beautiful tributes, from Emma Nash’s stirring renditions of the American and Irish national anthems to the traditional melodies of Ballinspittle Comhaltas and piper Frank Brady. Virgil Horgan, one of the first people Kathleen turned to when the garden was just an idea in 2001, shared a poignant poem written especially for the space.

A Powerful Transatlantic Connection

We were privileged to hear from retired FDNY firefighter Danny Manning, who spoke powerfully on behalf of his colleagues and the families of the 343 fallen firefighters, alongside reading a special letter from Edward S. Walsh, United States Ambassador to Ireland. The importance of this cross-Atlantic connection was further echoed in thoughtful words from Minister of State Jerry Buttimer and Cllr Ann Bambury.

 

Danny Manning wearing a navy fire service dress uniform and cap, speaks into a microphone at a white wooden podium. Behind him, several uniformed firefighters stand at attention as an honour guard. The scene is framed by an Irish flag to the left and a red and white flag to the right, alongside a dark metal FDNY 343 memorial sculpture resting on a large, rough grey stone adorned with red roses. A field of tall maize and rolling green countryside fill the background.
Cll Ann Bambury wearing dark sunglasses and a navy blue coat, speaks at the light-coloured wooden podium featuring a Celtic cross carving. In the background, firefighters in dark uniforms stand at attention near an Irish flag, a red and white flag, and the FDNY 343 memorial stone decorated with red roses. A field of tall crops and distant rolling hills are visible under a clear, bright sky.
Jerry Buttimer, wearing a dark suit and a red tie, speaks at the wooden memorial podium, gesturing slightly with his hands. Behind him, an honour guard of firefighters stands respectfully in front of a woven wicker fence and a field of maize. The memorial area includes an Irish flag, a red and white flag, and the FDNY 343 sculpture on a stone base with red roses, all set against a backdrop of scenic countryside.
Danny Manning and David O'Donovan lay a wreath
David O'Donovan and Danny Manning perform a salute at the laid wreath
Fr Robert Young and a second cleric bless the wreaths.

A Moment of Reflection

In a quiet moment of reflection, wreaths were gently laid by Padraig Begley of the Kinsale History Society, as well as Danny Manning and David O’Donovan of the Kinsale Fire Station, before receiving a blessing from Fr Robert Young and Reverend Eugene Griffin.

A Unifying Salute

The ceremony culminated in a powerful, unifying tribute: firefighters from New York, Cork City, and Kinsale stood shoulder-to-shoulder to read aloud the names of all 343 fallen heroes. The afternoon drew to a gentle close with a final salute and the beautiful sound of music drifting through the trees – a perfect reminder of the strength, resilience, and enduring spirit of our community.

 

A firefighter reads from a piece of paper at a light-coloured wooden podium in the Ringfinnan Garden of Remembrance. To his left stands the Irish flag .To his right is a large rough stone bearing a dark metal FDNY 343 memorial sculpture, decorated with red roses. A floral arrangement of red, white, and blue flowers rests on the gravel nearby. An honour guard of firefighters stands in the background behind a woven wicker fence, with a field of tall maize and rolling countryside stretching into the distance.
A firefighter reads from a piece of paper at a light-coloured wooden podium in the Ringfinnan Garden of Remembrance. To his left stands the Irish flag .To his right is a large rough stone bearing a dark metal FDNY 343 memorial sculpture, decorated with red roses. A floral arrangement of red, white, and blue flowers rests on the gravel nearby. An honour guard of firefighters stands in the background behind a woven wicker fence, with a field of tall maize and rolling countryside stretching into the distance.
A firefighter reads from a piece of paper at a light-coloured wooden podium in the Ringfinnan Garden of Remembrance. To his left stands the Irish flag .To his right is a large rough stone bearing a dark metal FDNY 343 memorial sculpture, decorated with red roses. A floral arrangement of red, white, and blue flowers rests on the gravel nearby. An honour guard of firefighters stands in the background behind a woven wicker fence, with a field of tall maize and rolling countryside stretching into the distance.
A firefighter reads from a piece of paper at a light-coloured wooden podium in the Ringfinnan Garden of Remembrance. To his left stands the Irish flag .To his right is a large rough stone bearing a dark metal FDNY 343 memorial sculpture, decorated with red roses. A floral arrangement of red, white, and blue flowers rests on the gravel nearby. An honour guard of firefighters stands in the background behind a woven wicker fence, with a field of tall maize and rolling countryside stretching into the distance.
Danny Manning reads from a piece of paper at a light-coloured wooden podium in the Ringfinnan Garden of Remembrance. To his left stands the Irish flag .To his right is a large rough stone bearing a dark metal FDNY 343 memorial sculpture, decorated with red roses. A floral arrangement of red, white, and blue flowers rests on the gravel nearby. An honour guard of firefighters stands in the background behind a woven wicker fence, with a field of tall maize and rolling countryside stretching into the distance.
Firefighters give a salute with the Steel from the World Trade Centre in front of them
Danny Manning holds a memorial firefighter helmet with 3 other uniformed firefighters in front of the 343 Maltese Cross Memorial in Ringfinnan Garden of Remembrance

A Message from the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland

On the 25th Anniversary of September 11, 2001

Dear Friends at the Kinsale 9/11 Memorial Garden,

On this 25th anniversary of September 11, I am honoured to send my warmest greetings to the Kinsale 9/11 Memorial Garden and to all those gathered there to remember the lives lost and the heroes who gave so much on that terrible day.

I had the privilege of visiting the Garden last year, and the experience has stayed with me. There is something deeply moving about remembering the events of September 11, 2001, in that beautiful corner of County Cork — thousands of miles from New York, yet so closely connected to the people and places touched by that day. Kathleen Cait Murphy turned grief into a lasting memorial that connects Kinsale with New York, and Ireland with the United States. The Kinsale 9/11 Memorial Garden is a reminder that remembrance knows no borders.

The Garden is a particularly meaningful tribute to the 343 members of the New York City Fire Department who lost their lives in the line of duty, and to Father Mychal Judge, the FDNY chaplain whose compassion and courage made such a lasting impression on so many. The passage of time does not diminish the significance of their sacrifice.

On behalf of the United States Embassy and the American people, I thank everyone who has helped create, maintain and honor this special place.

On this solemn 25th anniversary, we remember.

Edward Walsh
U.S. Ambassador to Ireland

Listen...

Listen to Danny Manning reading the letter from the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland.

Media Coverage

Internal view of the Ringfinnan garden of Remembrance looking down into a row of trees. Plaques are displayed with American flags.

RTÉ Nationwide

Nationwide is in Kinsale in County Cork where a living 9/11 memorial on a hill near the town draws locals and visitors to the site. Presented by Richard Downes.

Note: Opens on RTÉ Player.

Trees in Ringfinnan Garden of Remembrance with blue sky

Virgin Media News

Retired New York firefighter Danny Manning has returned to the 9/11 Garden of Remembrance in Kinsale, Co Cork on the 25th anniversay of the attacks.

Note: Opens on Facebook.

Corks 96 FM Opinion Line

PJ Coogan talks to John Murphy, Curator of the Garden of Remembrance and nephew of its founder, Keeper of the Garden Jeremiah Aherne and retired FDNY firefighter Danny Manning.

The Neil Prenderville Show

The show honours the 343 FDNY heroes and remember their sacrifice 25 years on, with special thanks to FDNY firefighter Danny Manning who responded to the twin towers on the morning of the attacks.

The event in pictures