Waterford bridge to be named after patriot who raised tricolour

One of the last major infrastructural projects to be unveiled in Ireland in recent years is to be named after the patriot who first raised the green, white and orange tricolour which became our national flag.

The bridge, which spans the river Suir outside Waterford and was opened in 2009, will be named the Thomas Francis Meagher Bridge, in honour of the man who played a key role in the 1848 rebellion before being transported abroad and ending up as a friend of President Lincoln and governor of Montana.

The decision was backed by the 1848 Tricolour Celebration Committee on foot of a motion submitted by the mayor of the city and county, James Tobin, and passed by the local council.