Museum Collection Includes St. Patrick's Day Tributes

Green suspenders belonging to FDNY Lieutenant Michael Quilty are displayed on a gray surface. The suspenders include designs of shamrocks.

FDNY Lt. Michael T. Quilty wore these suspenders every year on St. Patrick's Day. His family donated them to the Museum in his memory. (Photo: Staff)

The tradition of the Irish serving and protecting New York City runs deep and the 9/11 Memorial Museum helps honor that tradition on St. Patrick’s Day.

Various artifacts in the 9/11 Memorial Museum’s collection illustrate the courage of Irish victims during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Among them are a pair of shamrock suspenders worn every year on St. Patrick’s Day by FDNY Lt. Michael T. Quilty. His family donated the suspenders to the Museum in his memory.

The collection also contains a memorial sash, donated in memory of James Joseph McAlary, from the 2002 St. Patrick’s Day parade, in which his family and friends marched in his honor; a glass shamrock created by the family of Martin Egan, Jr., for St. Patrick’s Day 2002; and a quilt that serves as a tribute to Rescue 4 Captain Brian Hickey and includes photographs, FDNY patches and other representations of Hickey, including shamrocks representing his Irish heritage.

By Jordan Friedman, 9/11 Memorial Research and Digital Projects Associate