In April 2020 retired FDNY firefighter Gerry Amitrano traveled to Ireland on a family vacation. Gerry’s wife Jeannie arranged for the family to visit the Ringfinnan Garden of Remembrance without Gerry being aware. This was an extremely moving visit for Gerry as he had worked with and was friendly with many of the 343 FDNY members that passed away on September 11th 2001. While leaving the garden that day Gerry mentioned to his driver, Joe Hanney, that he would like to make arrangements to have steel from the world trade centre included in the garden.

Following numerous letters and paperwork to the relevant groups, an approximate 15 by 15 inch piece of steel weighing close to 65kg was provided. On the 18th October 2023 the steel arrived in the garden. Retired FDNY firefighters Gerry Amitrano, Billy Owens and Captain Jimmy Walsh were in attendance and represented the FDNY Carolina Retirees Association along with Joe Hanney who coordinated a lot of the transport of the steel to Ireland from the US. A ceremony took place in the garden to receive the steel and a blessing of the steel was performed. The Minister for Finance Jack Chambers was in attendance and laid a wreath as part of the ceremony.

Over the next year the steel was mounted. The design of the mount was conceived by a local designer Rob Jacob, Scilly in Kinsale. Rob engaged stonemason Seamus May who is based in Ballinrobe Co. Mayo. Rob and Seamus had previously worked together on other projects. Seamus sourced a piece of Connemara granite that was kindly donated by Joe Larkin’s quarry, Connemara, Co. Galway. The final memorial sculpture was unveiled by the US Ambassador to Ireland, Edward S. Walsh at a remembrance ceremony on September 11th 2025.
Rob’s vision for the piece was as follows;

The design message is simple. The stone, rough-cut granite is similar to the ground beneath New York, represents the falling towers, the commotion and fear in the area and its people. The piece of steel, an actual piece of the towers twisted and broken construction, represents the force of the buildings as they fell splintering the ground. Finally, the smooth polished surface of the rough stone, represents the silence and calmness that lingers after a frightening event such as this.

Unfortunately Rob passed away on September 25th 2025 following ongoing health issues. His legacy remains with this beautiful design.