Over 150 US and Irish firefighters descended on Dungarvan as part of a sponsored cycle to remember their colleagues who died in the September 11th attacks 23 years ago, and to raise money for Irish and American charities.
Speaking to the Dungarvan Leader as the peloton and accompanying motorcade left Dungarvan enroute to Co. Cork, McGuinness said:
“It was great to meet with visiting firefighters from New York and with many retained firefighters from around Ireland, including our own Craig Sheehan. This sponsored cycling is months in the planning and involves well over a hundred cyclists drawn from fire services across Ireland and from the FDNY. The route began in Dublin three days ago, and after setting off this morning from Dungarvan will travel to its finishing point at the 9/11 memorial garden in Kinsale, where a commemorative event will take place.
“On the Irish side, the cycle is organised by the National Retained Firefighters Association (NRFA) and coordination on the American side has come from the charity organisation Friends of Firefighters. This body provides ongoing support to serving and former firefighters in New York, many of whom are still dealing with the physical and mental health impacts of the attacks on 9/11.
“The Irish contingent is raising funds for the NRFA’s dedicated charity Aoibheann’s Pink Tie, which helps children and their families as they battle with cancer.
“The group arrived into Dungarvan on Tuesday evening, and stayed overnight in The Park Hotel, before an early morning call to Dungarvan Fire Station, where they met local firefighters and councillors, before heading for Co. Cork.”
Form more information or to donate visit www.nrfa.ie or www.aoibheannspinktie.ie
ENDS
Conor D. McGuinness TD 