St. Patrick's Day Honored Through 9/11 Museum Collection
Each year on March 17, the Irish and “Irish-at-heart” celebrate St. Patrick’s Day all over the world. Beginning first as a religious feast day for the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day has become an international celebration of Irish culture. In New York City, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade has become one of the city’s greatest traditions.
The bond and tradition between the Irish and New York City has been long withstanding. The events of Sept. 11 have only strengthened that bond. On Sept. 11, roughly 1,000 people with Irish roots died in the attacks and various artifacts in the 9/11 Memorial Museum’s collection commemorate these victims.
Port Authority Police Department white uniform gloves belonging to Liam Callahan
Originally from Queens, Liam Callaghan lived with wife Joan and their four children in Rockaway, New Jersey.
He frequently volunteered at his children’s schools, chaperoning field trips and offering to do cafeteria lunch duty on his days off from work as a PAPD officer.
On Sept. 11, Callaghan was a member of the PATH Emergency Service Unit and responded to the towers.
Gaelic football medal belonging to Damian Meehan
Raised in Manhattan’s Inwood area, Damian Meehan lived in Glen Rock, New Jersey, with his wife, Joann and their young son. Meehan was one of nine children and he often recruited his siblings to compete with him in races or to play a round of golf.
Meehan worked as a trader at Carr Futures and on Sept. 11, he was in his office on the North Tower’s 92nd floor.
The medal donated by his family depicts a small image with printed text in Gaelic and is engraved on the back with "New York | All-Stars | 1997."
Glass shamrock in a custom gift box created in memory of Martin J. Egan, Jr.
Lifelong Staten Island resident Martin Egan lived in Great Kills with his wife, Diane, and their two young children. A runner since high school, he participated in his first New York City Marathon in 2000.
Egan was a 15-year FDNY veteran assigned to Ladder Company 118. on Sept. 11, Captain Egan was on administrative duty and responded to the World Trade Center.
The glass shamrock donated by his family includes a printed message which reads: "Captain Martin J. Egan, Jr. | On His First St. Patrick's Day In Heaven - March 17, 2002 | He Is Gone But Not Forgotten | He will be in our Hearts Forever | Please accept this Irish Blessing | As a token of our Thanks | For your sharing in his life | By your love and friendship | With all our love, | His Brokenhearted Family."
By Christine Murphy, 9/11 Memorial Project Coordinator
Teaching students about 9/11 presents a variety of challenges for educators. Common questions from teachers include: “How do I deal with this emotionally difficult content?” “How can I explain the complexity of the content to my students?” and “How does this fit into my curriculum?”
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