New Liffey Bridge to be Named After Female Activist and Trade Unionist

The Liffey’s newest bridge is to be named after activist and trade unionist Rosie Hackett.

Voted by Dublin City Council, the new bridge is being built over the River Liffey at Marlborough Street in the city.

Rosie Hackett was an activist who played a key role in the 1913 Lockout. She encouraged female workers to join in the struggle.

Hackett served with Constance Markievicz and was a member of the Irish Citizen Army. In 1970 the activist was awarded a gold medal in recognition of her service to the Irish trade union movement which spanned over 60 years.

The original list of potential bridge names contained 85 people and was whittled down to the top five - founder of Alone, Willie Bermingham, founder of the Legion of Mary, Frank Duff, activist Rosie Hackett, camogie legend Kay Mills and creator of Dracula, Bram Stoker.

According to councillor Nial Ring, choosing the new name for the bridge “wasn’t easy.”

“A huge amount of canvassing was done by the public and it was great to see such interest in this process, and in the end Rosie’s name was picked and we will soon have the Rosie Hackett Bridge over the Liffey and I am sure the Dublin public will warm to the new name and appreciate why Rosie was selected ahead of such eminent names” he said to the Irish Times.

Sarah's Bridge at Islandbridge and Anna Livia Bridge at Lucan are the only two other bridges that are named after women.

Pic via Rosie Hackett Bridge Campaign