Galway City’s newest pedestrian and cycling bridge across the River Corrib will officially be named Droichead an Dóchais.
The name was adopted at a Special Council Meeting of Galway City Council on Monday out of more than 60 put forward by the public.
The pedestrian bridge features three spans, roughly 10m, 55m and 15m in length respectively, across three waterways.
The bridge crosses Persse’s Distillery River (formally called Mill Race), the Lower River Corrib and Friar’s River (formerly called Waterside canal).
The new bridge, the first to span the Corrib in over 30 years, serves as a focal point for locals and tourists to safely cross the river on foot or by bike.
Speaking about the naming, Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Eddie Hoare commented, “The River Corrib has seen its share of people, young and old, who are suffering or have lost hope.”
“For all those who have concerns about mental health – your own, or your loved ones – the new bridge name, Droichead an Dóchais, reminds us that there is always hope. For our young people especially, we want them to have hope for the future – for their future.”
“The proposed name reflects positive action, at a time when Climate Change is an ever-present crisis – as the new pedestrian and cycle bridge makes connections for those on foot, wheeling or cycling.”
“As we cross over three waterways on the new bridge, we connect with our fellow Galwegians and those visiting our city too.”
In times when conflict and unrest are frequent headlines, Droichead an Dóchais also reflects our hope for peace, and an end to the trauma and destruction that ordinary people are living with around the world.”
The public was invited to make suggestions for the new bridge name from late December 2023 until 6pm on Sunday 11 February 2024.
The public submissions proposing Dóchas/ Hope said the name was, “…hope for the future. In this time of challenging climate change, Galway has put in place a solid, tangible structure to enable people to use their cars less, and walk across a beautiful river, experiencing the view, the wildlife, the fresh air…”. They also said, “…due to the amount of suicide cases can we call the bridge The Bridge of Hope…”, and “…I would like the new bridge to be named HOPE. For everyone who needs it. It helps everyone cross a river and it provides safety and strength”.
