As the deadline for public submissions on naming Galway’s new river Corrib bridge approaches, calls have been made for it to be named after late local historian Peadar O’Dowd.
O’Dowd, author of more than 22 publications on Galway, died early this month at the age of 82. President Michael D Higgins said that his knowledge of history and heritage had “enriched his community” and his legacy would live “for generations to come”.
He was a lecturer at the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (now Atlantic Technological Institute) and a columnist for over 30 years with The Connacht Sentinel, The Connacht Tribune and Galway City Tribune.
He received an honorary MA from the University of Galway in 2011. He was named one of the 12 “heroes” of Galway’s waterways, as he formed the Galway Waterways Preservation Society in 1967.
He was also a keen angler and represented Ireland on a number of occasions.
Fianna Fáil senator Ollie Crowe has called on Galway City Council to name the new salmon weir pedestrian and cycle bridge in O’Dowd’s honour.
However, the chair of the campaign to name the bridge after Julia Morrissey says it is not possible under the civil memorial policy rules, which states that a person who is to be publicly commemorated must have died over ten years ago.
The Julia Morrissey Bridge Campaign Committee
“O’Dowd is a great loss to Galway. His knowledge of Galway’s history and heritage was second to none. His commitment to preserving Galway’s waterways, and many historic and archaeological sites, is a lasting legacy that every Galwegian should be thankful for,”Ó Dálaigh said in a statement.
“Such a contribution is indeed worthy of public recognition,”he said, but added that “clearly Senator Crowe had not read this policy before making his proposal”.
“It would appear that the establishment are absolutely determined to deny Julia Morrissey’s legacy; to bury her once again. In the process, they are throwing every name they can think of at it - along with the kitchen sink,”Ó Dálaigh said.
Morrissey, who was from Athenry in Co Galway, helped found Cumann na mBan in 1914, and took command of 50 Cumann na mBan volunteers in Galway under the overall leadership of her close friend and comrade, Liam Mellows, in 1916.
She remained active in the revolutionary struggle until Mellows’s execution by Free State forces in December 1922 — a death which had a profound impact on Morrissey’s mental health,according to the campaign.
She was sent to St Brigid’s Hospital in Ballinasloe, and the Military Service Pension Board posted forms out to her on three occasions. However, she received no stipend because they were not returned correctly.
Over 40 years after her burial in Athenry in 1974, an inscription was placed on her grave by a group named Relatives and Friends of Galway 1916.
Senator Frances Black, journalist Clodagh Finn, and singer Lisa Caulfield are among those who support the campaign to name the new bridge after her, Ó Dalaigh says.
“We have also gained the support of the Galway branches of Fórsa, Mandate and Unite trade unions, as well as the support of the Galway Council of Trade Unions,”he says.
“Galway City Council must follow suit. They must do the right thing and support our proposal. They have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to finally and fittingly honour one of Galway’s bravest daughters. Let them not squander it,”he says.
The closing date for public submissions on naming the new bridge, which was opened last May at a cost of 10 million euro, is Sunday February 11th at 6pm.
Details are here
