Dublin City Council is to advertise shortly for suggested names for the new bridge over the Liffey in Dublin.
The names of living persons will not be considered, and those who have died in the last 20 years only “in very exceptional cases”.
Currently under construction, the bridge from Marlborough Street at Eden Quay to Hawkins Street at Burgh Quay will accommodate the linking of the capital’s two Luas lines.
Hundreds of names have been informally suggested so far including James Connolly, Maeve Binchy, Katie Taylor, Bram Stoker, Myles na gCopaleen, Ronnie Drew and Abbey Bridge. Trade unionist Rosie Hackett is the latest to be added to the list.
Council policy
The council’s commemorative naming committee will consider suggestions, then make a recommendation to a council meeting, which will make a final decision.
The council’s policy on the naming of infrastructure, agreed last December, says a person suggested must have been born or lived in Dublin, or have a strong connection with the city.
He or she must also have made a “unique and outstanding contribution” to the life or history of the city.
Consideration will be given to “the gender issue”, it says, as well as whether other monuments or infrastructure have been named after the individual.
United behind Rosie
Almost 400 people have so far signed a petition, begun by members of Labour Youth, to have the bridge named for Rosie Hackett, born in Dublin in 1892.
Ms Hackett was involved in the trade union movement for more than 60 years. She joined the Irish Transport and General Workers Union (ITGWU) when it was established in 1909. Aged 18, she led industrial action which resulted in 3,000 women getting a pay rise in Jacob’s biscuit factory.
She was involved in the 1913 Dublin Lockout and fought for the Irish Citizen Army during the 1916 Rising. After spending time in Kilmainham Gaol, she helped found the Irish Women Workers Union. She also ran the ITGWU newspaper shop on Eden Quay.
Application forms to suggest a name are at dublincity.ie. The petition for Rosie Hackett Bridge is at change.org.
