The 9/11 Memorial in Kildare & the Irish Lives Lost
Honouring Memory: The 9/11 Memorial in Kildare & the Irish Lives Lost
On 21 September 2003, a quiet clearing in Donadea Forest Park, County Kildare, was transformed into a lasting tribute to one of the darkest days in modern history: the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States. The Donadea 9/11 Memorial stands there, not simply as stone and limestone, but as an echo of courage, loss, and connection that spans the Atlantic.
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The Memorial in Donadea
The memorial is a scaled-replica of the Twin Towers, carved from blocks of limestone. It was designed by Brian Swan, Senior Architect with Kildare County Council, and crafted by local stonemason Bernard Groome. It sits in Donadea Forest Park among native oak saplings, a living tribute that will grow over time.
At its centre is the name of Sean Patrick Tallon, a firefighter of Irish ancestry, with family roots in Donadea. Sean was one of the many brave members of the New York Fire Department who perished in the line of duty on 9/11. The memorial also engraves the names of the 402 public officials—firefighters, police, and Port Authority personnel—who died that day.
Every 11 September, and in other remembrance ceremonies, wreaths are laid, prayers are offered, and people gather to reflect—not only on what was lost, but on the global community's shared humanity.
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The Irish Toll
The attacks of 9/11 cast a wide net across the world, and Ireland was not spared. At least eighteen Irish citizens lost their lives in those attacks, of which seven were born on the island of Ireland. Among them were people from Belfast, Cork, Sligo, Down, Dublin and Tipperary.
Irish Americans too suffered greatly—amongst the many first responders (firefighters, police officers, Port Authority workers) who ran towards danger, a significant number were of Irish descent. These heroes are remembered not just within their communities in New York, but back at home in Ireland.
Why the Link Matters
Memorials such as Donadea serve several vital functions:
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Personal connection: For locals in Donadea, the story of Sean Tallon provides a deeply personal link. He was more than someone’s relative across the ocean—his childhood connections to Donadea mean his sacrifice is felt in the fields and forests of Kildare.
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Global remembrance: Ireland’s loss is part of a much larger tragedy, involving nearly 3,000 lives across many nations. By maintaining memorials, names, stories, we ensure these lives are not forgotten in the rush of daily life.
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Education & empathy: The memorial offers space for education—about what happened, why it matters, how interconnected our world is. Young Irish people who visit can feel that link not just historically but personally.
Visiting & Reflecting
Donadea Forest Park is open all year, and the 9/11 memorial is accessible to visitors. After a walk among the woods or a stroll by the lake, people often pause at the twin limestone towers, take in the oak trees, read the names, and reflect.
Services are often held on 11 September, with local fire service, police, emergency services, and community members gathering for wreath-laying, music, prayers.
In Memory & Moving Forward
The beauty of the Donadea memorial isn’t just in its stones or in its scale—it’s in the message: remembrance, respect, and resilience.
For every jersey sold, for every story told, we keep alive not only the memory of figures like Sean Tallon, but also the broader community of Irish citizens and Irish Americans who lost so much on that day.
May we always remember.