The bridge connecting Marlbough Street and Hawkins Street was first proposed in 2009 to ease congestion on O’Connell Bridge just a few a metres away and to carry the new southbound LUAS track (connecting Red and Green lines). The project was then operating under the name “Marlborough Street Public Transport Priority Bridge” (catchy isn’t it?). Despite concerns that the new bridge’s close proximity to O’Connell Bridge would ruin the Georgian layout of the city, Bord Pleanála gave the project planning approval,
Once construction had started on the bridge a number of campaigns were set up for the naming of the bridge. Among the most popular suggestions were great Irish writer of Dracula fame Bram Stoker, legendary rock star Phil Lynott, campaigner for the aged, Willie Bermingham and world famous socialist, James Connolly. However, a campaign started by three women from Labour Youth to name the bridge after Irish socialist and revolutionary, Rosie Hackett, captured the people’s imaginations.
Rosie Hackett famously organized the workers of Jacobs Biscuit factory, fighting for better working conditions in what were horrible times as part of the Irish Transport and General’s Workers Union. She was involved in the 1916 Rising, where she fought with Constance Markievicz and Michael Mallon in the St Stephen’s Green. After the Free State was established in 1922, Rosie Hackett continued her union work right up till the 1970s. For her full story please read here for more of her story.
The Rosie Hackett Bridge official naming ceremony will take place on Tuesday 20th May at 3pm.
It will be open to public transport, cyclists and pedestrians the following day, Wednesday the 21st of May from 6 am.
And well done to everyone who fought so hard to get this bridge named after a powerful, brave, and fair lady of Irish history.
