Ireland unites in mourning

By Andrew Bushe

DUBLIN – Ireland virtually shut down when the country observed a national day of mourning declared by the government. In an unprecedented show of solidarity with the U.S. and sympathy with the victims of the attacks and their families, cities and towns throughout the country were deserted last Friday.

There was no normal Friday rushhour after a government order declared a public day of mourning. So widespread was the closedown that the atmosphere could have resembled a Good Friday of 20 years ago.

Businesses, industry, state offices, pubs, filling stations, schools, colleges, supermarkets and banks remained closed. Public transport ran on Sunday timetables and many mainline trains were cancelled.

When some traffic did build up it was heading to cathedrals, churches, mosques and synagogues through somber streets. Bells ringing out a peel of mourning broke the eerie silence.

Otherwise, only emergency services operated and post offices were open in the morning so that people could be paid pensions.

In an early morning national radio address, President Mary McAleese set the tone for the day, saying Irish people were “sad, shocked, sickened, grieving, disbelieving, outraged, frightened, all at once.”

“The people of the United States hold a special place in the hearts of all of us here in Ireland. The roots go down through the centuries and are as strong today as they ever were.”

The President said the day of mourning demonstrated “solidarity with our brothers and sisters” in the US.

“It sends a message across the Atlantic and, indeed around the globe, that Ireland too is broken hearted and grieving deeply at the unconscionable waste of life we have witnessed,” she said.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said the Government had declared the day of mourning because people were “shocked to the core” by the terrorist attacks.

There were, he said, close historical and cultural links with the U.S. since Famine times and before. He said 44 million Americans claimed Irish descent in the last census and every town in the country has a transatlantic connection.

McAleese and Ahern were applauded as they arrived to lead a congregation representing every element of religious, political social life at an ecumenical service of remembrance in Dublin’s Catholic Pro-Cathedral broadcast live on radio and television.

Cardinal Desmond Connell led the prayers – at a “moment of deep affliction” – and clergy from all the main denominations took part as the congregation overflowed into the streets outside.

Delivering the main address, Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin Walton Empey, said the scenes of horror would remain in everyone’s mind.

“There is no doubt that for millions of people throughout the world, Tuesday 11 September 2001, was a dark day.

“A dark day for the people of America, a dark day for the whole civilized world. And it will remain firmly embedded in our minds until the day we die,” he said.

After the service, Ahern said that people had felt powerless watching the horrific scenes on television and wanted to do something. While there had been difficulties for some businesses, Ireland had come as near as possible to closing down the country in solidarity with America.