Darragh's Soapbox: What would you name Waterford's new bridge?
Niall Coady favours calling the Sustainable Transport Bridge after Ken McGrath, while Birdy Ward suggested Gilbert O'Sullivan. Photo: Joe Evans
Hundreds of locals gathered across the week on the sun-basked city quayside to witness the highly complex lifting and installation of Waterford's new sustainable transport bridge.
Meanwhile, on social media, there has been ongoing discussion regarding the naming of the bridge.
Locals in Waterford city this week suggested naming the bridge after famous people, historical aspects of Waterford and famous features of the city.
Local suggested the Ken McGrath bridge.
"I’m going to say a hurler because I love sport but they’ll have to think about who’s the most famous person or who deserves it the most when they're naming it," he said.
Niall also suggested calling it the Port Láirge, after the fondly remembered mud boat that served the Suir for more than seven decades until the 1980s.
, meanwhile, suggested naming it after one of our many iconic musical talents, saying: "Gilbert O’Sullivan is the most famous person to come out of Waterford."
and alluded to Waterford's Viking history, with Jason suggesting the 'Ancient City Bridge' and Donna saying 'The Viking Way'.
"The history would need to be touched on. I think it should be named after something linked to the Viking history," Donna said.
said that it should be named after a famous Waterford woman, suggesting famous actresses Anna Manahan and Jennie Ledwell.
Noleen also suggested the 'Mary Strangman Bridge', after one of the first female doctors in Ireland and the UK and Waterford’s first female Councillor.
“I think it should be named after a female because I think every roundabout and bridge is named after a man and in Waterford we already have the Thomas Francis Meagher bridge and Edmund Rice bridge."
