Ballybough celebrates 40 years of the Luke Kelly Bridge
The Ballybough community rallied together this morning to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the renaming of the historic Ballybough Bridge as the Luke Kelly Bridge.
Opened officially on 31st May 1985, the Luke Kelly Bridge spans the Tolka River, linking Fairview with the city. The decision to rename the bridge after Luke Kelly was put forward by the late Tony Gregory TD, reflecting the deep cultural significance of the folk legend to Dubliners.
The bridge itself has stood in some form on this site since the late 1400s, undergoing various reconstructions over the centuries, including a major widening in 1985 to accommodate five lanes of traffic.
Today's 40th anniversary celebrations proved to be a touching tribute to Luke's legacy and included live music performances by renowned Luke Kelly Tribute Chris Kavanagh & friends.
Speaking to Dublin Live at the event, Cllr Nial Ring said: "I can't believe it's been 40 years. It's a great occasion and you can see people that were here then are here again. It's going to be a lovely occasion to celebrate 40 years.
"Of course Luke died the previous year. Our good friend from this area Tony Gregory, a great friend of mine and (Cllr Christy Burke's), put forward the proposal. Christy got into the Council and from then on he's done his 40 years. I haven't done quite as long but it's just great to be here and have an occasion like this."
Bessie McCann, Luke's sister, said: 'I remember very well the day the bridge was dedicated to my brother. It was a wonderful day.
"Luke was a very proud Northsider and he'd be very moved that the people of Ballybough have remembered him in this way."
Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Book review: Up in flames — a labour of love to history
This slim volume is one of those modest but important bricks that enriches a community's sense of itself. These publications, often labours of love rather than professional histories, ensure that the fullest possible story of a place is kept alive. The Great Liberties Whiskey Fire recalls an episode that may have slipped from living memory — after all it occurred 150 years ago, on June 18, 1875. Fallon may have rescued it from the oblivion conferred by the passage of time — and deservedly so. It is a nugget in the long, long and fascinating story of our capital. The fire started in Laurence Malone's bonded storehouse on the Liberties Ardee St at 8.30pm in the evening where 5,000 hogsheads — 1,193,000 litres in today's money — were stored. It lasted just one night and caused many of these casks to explode. A river of whiskey — some of it far stronger that usually consumed — flowed from the building, some of it alight, some of it not, and easily gathered by enthusiastic Dubliners. The stream was said to be 15cm deep and flowed towards the Coombe. This catastrophe was at the root of the 13 deaths attributed to the fire though none of the victims were injured by the inferno — they died from alcohol poisoning. This gave those happy to condemn the Irish another opportunity to sneer. An Illinois paper, The Daily Leader, thundered: 'The extent to which men may become imbruted through the use of intoxicating liquers, is fully illustrated by the scenes that transpired during the great fire in Dublin last week … So hoggish did they become that several absolutely drank themselves to death while others wandered about like crazy or mad men among the blazing buildings.' The Cork Examiner, this newspaper's foundation stone, was less hectoring, suggesting that but for the help offered to over-stretched fire fighters by sober spectators the challenge could have become a calamity. The extent of the tragedy in human terms is uncertain. Traditionally, 13 deaths from alcohol poisoning are attributed to the evening but Fallon is uncertain as he could not confirm that figure. The sub-plots in these focused histories can often tell a powerful story too and this is no exception. Fallon pays particular attention to James Robert Ingram, the man tasked with establishing Dublin's modern fire service. His story resonates 150 years later. He died, aged 53 in 1882, a victim of tuberculosis like so many. He was predeceased by a three-month old daughter Norah who died just months after the fire. After his death, his widow Emma — who inherited his estate of £348 — had to endure the death of another daughter Theresa, leaving her with just one child. It is probable modern medicine might have prevented those deaths and preserved that family. The Great Liberties Whiskey Fire is a short but interesting read and must encourage others with a particular interest in an almost forgotten event to put pen to paper.
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- RTÉ News
St Newman's new 'doctor' title welcomed by Irish Bishops
The President of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference has welcomed news of Pope Leo XIV's decision to declare St John Henry Newman a Doctor of the Universal Church. The title is given to individuals whose writings and teachings are considered to be of particular importance and authority within the Catholic Church. Doctors of the Church must be officially declared doctors by a papal proclamation. John Henry Newman began his religious life as a member of the Anglican Church and converted to Roman Catholicism in the mid-1800s. He spent some time in Dublin where he became the founding Rector of the Catholic University, which later became University College Dublin (UCD). Viewed as one of the great modern thinkers of Christianity, his work and spirituality culminated in his canonisation in 2019. Yesterday, Pope Leo confirmed that the title of Doctor of the Universal Church would soon be conferred on St John Henry - joining 37 others including St Augustine, St Thomas Aquinas, St Teresa of Avila and St Thérèse of Lisieux The Archbishop of Dublin, Archbishop Dermot Farrell said the news was of "particular significance" to Irish bishops who, in 2023, formally approved a petition supporting the process to have St John Henry Newman conferred as a Doctor of the Church. He noted the special connection St John Henry continues to have with Dublin. "The beautiful University Church on St Stephen's Green, built on his initiative and under careful supervision, is a special place of worship for all Dubliners and reminds us to this day of his generosity, presence and work among us in that time," he said. The Dublin Archbishop expressed confidence that the new honour conferred on the saint would lead to "a renewed interest in his works, the lasting testimony to an exceptionally gifted mind".
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kind pedestrians and cyclists given 'I'm sound' badges by Dublin City Council
A bunch of kind pedestrians and cyclists were awarded badges by Dublin City Council's 'soundness detectors' on Wednesday. As part of its public awareness campaign 'Be Sound This Summer', the council renewed its appeal for all road and path users to be more respectful of others. And pedestrians, cyclists and drivers that looked out for others and prioritised safety in the city centre on Wednesday were awarded with an 'I'm Sound' badge. Through social media videos, the council is encouraging people to stop hogging lanes, breaking lights or dangerously dashing. Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray McAdam, said: "As a city, we're working to make travel safer, cleaner and more connected — not just through infrastructure, but through how we treat one another. ''Be Sound This Summer' is about recognising and celebrating those small, everyday actions that make our streets safer and more respectful for everyone. By adding a bit of fun and positivity to the message, we're encouraging all road users to look out for each other. Whatever way you travel, being sound goes a long way.' Active travel, such as walking and cycling, plays a central role in how Dubliners get around the city. On average, people split their weekly transport time almost evenly between walking or wheeling (41 per cent) and driving (40 per cent), with a further 19 per cent spent cycling, according to the Your Dublin Your Voice survey. In Dublin, 71 per cent of adults walk five or more days a week, while 47 per cent use a car five or more days a week. One in four adults say they cycle at least once a week. According to the Walking and Cycling Index, 530,000 cars are taken off the road every day in the Dublin Metropolitan Area because of those who decide to walk and cycle. If these cars were all in a traffic jam, it would tail back 2,500 kilometres, equivalent to over nine times the distance from Dublin City to Cork City. Over half a million fewer cars on the road generates an annual benefit of €2.39 billion for individuals and the wider city. It also prevents 3,655 serious long-term health conditions each year and saves the health service approximately €64.5 million - equivalent to over 1.17 million GP appointments. Those walking and cycling instead of driving also save greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 1.69 million flights from Dublin Airport to London Heathrow Airport. A bicycle traffic light in Dublin There has been a large increase in older residents engaging in active travel in recent years. Some 74 per cent of Dublin residents aged over 66 now walk or wheel at least five days a week, up from 54 per cent in 2021, and 12 per cent of residents aged over 66 cycle at least once a week, up from 10 per cent in 2021. Dublin City Council said it will continue to roll out dedicated infrastructure across the city to keep this momentum up and encourage people to walk and cycle. Within the next four weeks, three active travel schemes will be completed across the city, including the Ranelagh Village interim scheme, Beatty's Avenue to Herbert Park (part of the Dodder Greenway) scheme and the Royal Canal Phase 3 scheme. Director of Dublin City Council's active travel programme office, Christopher K Manzira, said: 'With more people choosing to travel actively across the city, we all have a shared responsibility to look out for one another. 'Be Sound' is a reminder that safety and respect are essential on our streets. "Whether you're walking to the shop, wheeling to work, or driving through town, a little soundness can make a big difference. The data shows that active travel benefits us all, from reducing emissions to easing congestion as well as the additional health benefits. We want everyone to feel confident and safe doing so.' Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
