There is growing support across Galway for the campaign to name the city’s new pedestrian bridge in honour of 1916 veteran Julia Morrissey from Athenry.
Among those to add their voices of support are the local council of Mandate Trade Union, and the Galway branches of Forsa and Unite.
The Galway Council of Trade Unions has also voted to back the campaign to name the bridge after the Cumann na mBan leader.
From rebel hero to an unmarked grave
The tragic story of Julia Morrissey’s life is symbolic of the Irish state’s attitude towards women in the decades that followed the Treaty.
In the 1930s, Julia was admitted to the “mental asylum” in Ballinasloe, where she died four decades later. She then lay in an unmarked grave for 43 years.
The Julia Morrissey Bridge Campaign believes Galway City Council now have a fantastic opportunity to right this historic wrong against Julia Morrissey.
“I would strongly urge them to do the right thing by belatedly honouring her here in Galway,” said chairperson of the campaign committee, Ian Ó Dálaigh.
“It’s fantastic to see various local trade union bodies show their support for our campaign. Along with the support we’ve gained from university professors and historians, and the 1,300+ people who’ve signed our petition so far, it’s clear that there is a lot of appetite to see Galway’s new bridge named after Julia Morrissey.”
He added that this is a “huge opportunity for Galway City Council to be part of finally and fittingly remembering Julia in her native county.”
Speaking in Galway City, President of the Galway Council of Trade Unions, Eoghan Fox, said that trade unions have a long and proud history of supporting progressive campaigns.
“Continuing in that spirit, we are delighted to add our voice to the call for Galway’s new pedestrian bridge to be named in honour of Julia Morrissey,” he said.
