Remembering Irish mum & girl killed in 2nd plane

By the Editorial Team · Friday, September 11, 2026

Ruth Clifford McCourt and her daughter Juliana, originally from Ireland, were among the victims on United Airlines Flight 175 that struck the South Tower during the September 11 attacks. Their story highlights the enduring personal losses felt worldwide 25 years later, underscoring the deep and lasting impact of that tragedy on families and communities.

Twenty-five years after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the tragedy continues to resonate with families worldwide, including those in Ireland who lost loved ones on that day.

Ruth Clifford McCourt, originally from Ballintemple, County Cork, and her young daughter Juliana were among the nearly 3,000 victims of the attacks. Ruth, who would have celebrated her 70th birthday this year, and Juliana, who was just four years old, were passengers on United Airlines Flight 175. The flight, en route from Boston to Los Angeles for a family holiday, was hijacked by five al-Qaeda terrorists 28 minutes after takeoff. The plane was deliberately flown into the South Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City, causing its collapse and the deaths of all onboard.

Ruth had emigrated to the United States from Ireland in 1973 with her own mother. After training in skin care in London, she returned to Boston in the mid-1980s, where she opened a spa business. She married David McCourt in 1995. Ruth’s remains were recovered within six weeks following the attacks, but Juliana’s were not identified until late 2002. The mother and daughter are buried together at St Finbarr’s Cemetery in Glasheen, Cork city. David McCourt, who sought solace through a personal spiritual journey after their deaths, passed away in 2013 at age 71.

The morning of the attacks held an additional poignant connection for the McCourt family. Ruth’s best friend and Juliana’s godmother, Paige Farley Hackel, had planned to travel with them to Los Angeles, but the two could not secure seats on the same flight. Paige boarded American Airlines Flight 11 instead. That aircraft was also hijacked and crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center, 17 minutes before Flight 175 struck the South Tower. Ruth and Paige had been close friends for a decade, having first met at Ruth’s spa in Boston and traveled together to Africa. They intended to stay with friends in California during their holiday but were tragically separated at Logan International Airport on that fateful morning.

Ruth’s brother, Ron Clifford, another native of Cork, was at the World Trade Center for a business meeting when the first plane hit the North Tower. Positioned near the ground floor, he managed to escape unharmed, though the experience left a lasting impact.

As the world marks the quarter-century since the attacks, the memories of Ruth, Juliana, and many others remain a stark reminder of the far-reaching human toll of that day.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.