Fr Mychal Judge Memorial Garden KESHCARRIGAN

In 2005, the people of Keshcarrigan dedicated a peace garden and memorial to Fr Mychal Judge (1933-2001) who was the first victim to be recorded in the September 11th attack on the Twin Towers. His parents were both Co. Leitrim natives. His father was from the shores of Kesh lake - still known locally as Judge's Shore and his mother was a Fallon from Drumkeeran. 

The year before he died, Fr Mychal Judge had called to a farmhouse in Keshcarrigan, Co Leitrim, and asked for directions to his father's ancestral home. Local farmer John Keaney recalled how moved the Franciscan priest had been as he took away a pebble as a keepsake from what remained of the Judge home. "If you won the Sweep or the Lotto you wouldn't be as happy as he was that day," said Mr Keaney.

Father Mychal Judge's twin sister, Dympna Jessich, was Guest of Honour at the ceremony and presented the village of Keshcarrigan with the two flags that draped her brother's coffin - the flag of the New York City Fire Department and the Stars and Stripes.  [Photo © Jim TeVogt]