Dublin streets were nearly deserted yesterday morning, with shops, cafes and businesses shut because of the national day of mourning.
As 11 a.m. approached, the time chosen for an international expression of solidarity, people were wondering how to express collectively their horror at the attacks in the US and their sympathy for the victims.
However, by 10.30 a.m. several hundred people had gathered outside the Pro-Cathedral in Dublin, waiting for the ecumenical service to begin.
Some waited to express sympathy with the victims and sign the book of condolences afterwards. Others watched the arrival of politicians and dignitaries and joined in a collective national event to commemorate what had happened.
At 10.45 a.m., the Taoiseach arrived, accompanied by his partner Ms Celia Larkin. They were greeted with applause as they entered the Pro-Cathedral.
Five minutes later, the President, Mrs McAleese, arrived with her family. They were met with loud and prolonged applause, as if people needed to acknowledge a symbol of national unity at a time like yesterday's ceremony.
The Pro-Cathedral was full. Most of the seats were taken up by politicians, representatives of the public services and the diplomatic corps. Some of the public, however, squeezed in for the service.
Although there was a public address system, the service was inaudible outside. The crowd waited in silence for an hour for another opportunity to share in this public expression of solidarity with the victims.
The first opportunity came when a group of Americans emerged from the Pro-Cathedral at the end of the service, paused on its steps and broke into the American national anthem. The words were taken up by several members of the waiting crowd and people reached out to shake their hands as they left.
The crowd continued to wait as politicians and members of the diplomatic corps came out. Then representatives of the Garda Siochana and the Defence Forces emerged. When they were followed by representatives of Dublin Fire Brigade, the crowd applauded again.
It was as if they were trying to send a message of solidarity to the rescuers in New York and Washington.