Fiery Tale Of New York

Fire with fire… MON9SEPT24

ver since Jimmy Norman heard his daughter’s name being mentioned this morning at the American Embassy in Phoenix Park for the New York firefighters cycle across Ireland, he’s been battling back the tears.

“Just to hear Aoibheann’s name in this company, with all the firefighters, the mayor, the ambassador,” he tells the Guide today, “it was extremely emotional.

Jimmy Norman

“And then we started out on this three-day cycle a few hours ago, and we’ve had such support out on the streets. I reckon we’ll all be emotional wrecks by the end…”

The 223-mile fundraising trek – from Dublin through Wicklow, Wexford, Waterford and eventually to the 911 memorial garden in Kinsale, Co. Cork – passed through Greystones today, and there were cheers on every street, at every corner, as school kids, well wishers and, of course, local politicians came out to give thanks and praise.

There are 80 firefighters taking part, 40 from New York and 40 from Ireland, including the only two Greystones crew members still able to get up on a bike, Joshua Barrington and Cameron McKeever.

Before reaching Greystones, the firefighters stopped in Bray to lay two wreaths at the memorial for Brian Murray and Mark O’Shaughnessy, who died in the line of duty on September 26th, 2007.

“Given that we’ll be arriving at the Ringfinnan Garden Of Remembrance in Kinsale on September 11th, the guys really wanted to pay their respects in Bray,” continues Jimmy. “There were tears. So, I can’t imagine what we’ll be like when we get to those 343 trees in Kinsale, one for every firefighter who lost their lives in New York that day.

“Chief among them the much-loved Father Mychal Judge, the NYFD chaplain, and the first casualty carried out of the Twin Towers…”

Father Mychal Judge

Luckily, the support the firefighters are getting along their way has given them plenty of reasons to be cheerful too.

“It’s been overwhelming for them, to see everyone coming out on the paths like today,” nods Jimmy. “I felt enormously proud, and I could see that the guys were enormously moved.”

This is the first time that this annual charity event is taking place outside of America, and all that huffing, puffing and bonding across Ireland will be for two good causes – Aoibheann’s Pink Tie and New York’s Friends Of Firefighters.

Aoibheann…

Helping children (and their families) during their struggle with cancer, Aoibheann’s Pink Tie was set up in 2010 by Jimmy (and Mick Rochford) in honour of his young daughter. Friends Of Firefighters is a not-for-profit organisation that provides independent, confidential and free mental health counselling to active and retired FDNY firefighters and their family members.

Stephen McFadden

Before they get back on the road, Jimmy has two major thank yous he wants to get out there.

“Firstly, gotta say the Gardaí have been incredible, making sure everything has been running smoothly for the cycle. More importantly though, if it wasn’t for Steve ‘The Machine’ McFadden, chair of the National Retained Firefighters Association of Ireland, none of this would have happened. He’s been remarkable, putting this whole show together…”

And we want to thank the mighty John McGowan, who caught the big day down at Greystones Fire Station – full gallery of hi-res pics (free to download) here.

You can donate directly to the three-day cycle across country here, as American and Irish firefighters come together to, as usual, help others.

You can check out the full John McGowan gallery here. and donate to this 3-day cycle fundraiser right here.