THE EAST LINK toll bridge, which connects Dublin’s docks with the south city, has been officially renamed.
The bridge was today named in honour Thomas Clarke, the “Father of the 1916 Rising”.
The toll bridge is the last bridge over the Liffey before the river enters Dublin Bay and Dublin City Council says there are no records of it ever being officially named.
Clarke was one of the chief organisers of the rising from his tobacconist shop in Dublin and was the first signatory of the proclamation.
The bridge was today officially named by President Michael D Higgins, on the anniversary of Clarke’s execution and in the presence of the grand niece of his wife Kathleen, Helen Litton.
Dublin City Councillor Nial Ring said that the naming was “wise and correct”.
“The fact that ownership of the East Link bridge reverted to DCC last year presented us with an opportunity to get the bridge named the Tom Clarke Bridge and I was delighted when my fellow councillors on both the Commemorations Committee and full city council approved my request.
The fact that the bridge is being named in Tom Clarke’s honour on the day of the 100th anniversary of his execution is of particular significance and the bridge will be a real and long lasting reminder of the sacrifice he made for his country and for us.
“As city councillors we often complain that we have very few powers, but in this case we had the power to name the bridge and we used it wisely and correctly.”
Dublin City Council has committed to spending €5.2 million on an upgrade of the bridge over the next three years, making it more cycle and pedestrian friendly.
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