Council invites public to submit ideas for name of Cork City's newest bridge

The pedestrian and cycle bridge at Lambley in Cork, was opened last weekend. Picture: Clare Keogh

People in Cork are being invited to submit name ideas for the newest bridge over the River Lee which, together with the refurbished Bishop Lucey Park, was officially opened to the public over the weekend.

The new bridge provides pedestrian and cycle access from Parnell Place to Wandesford Quay, via Oliver Plunkett Street and Tuckey Street.

The steel span bridge, which is 27m long, was designed by Seán Harrington Architects of Arup design team. Funding for the bridge was provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s Urban Regeneration and Development Fund and the National Transport Authority (NTA).

Like the Mary Elmes Bridge, which links St Patrick's Quay to Merchant's Quay, the bridge was manufactured by Thompsons of Carlow. The process for choosing the bridge's new name will be similar to that which saw Cork City Council name the aforementioned Mary Elmes Bridge after the famous Cork humanitarian and aid worker back in 2019. 

That process saw 92 possible name submissions from the public. The list was then shortened down to five options which were then voted on by city councillors.

The new pedestrian bridge was officially opened to the public last Friday, alongside the new iteration of Bishop Lucey Park. Speaking at the re-opening of the park, Lord Mayor Fergal Dennehy said the redeveloped park represented a "fusion of the city’s medieval heritage and modern, functional design, opened up to the wider city centre".

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here

"It will be a place of relaxation, play, performance and community gathering. It will attract more people to enjoy this green space in the heart of the city.” 

Chief executive of Cork City Council Valerie O’Sullivan said the council’s ambition for the park and pedestrian bridge is to "deliver a high-quality facility for the city, and that has been done. Because the city of Cork deserves no less".

"The City Council also wanted to ensure that after two years of work and disruption, that the park would be available to the public in time for Christmas," she added.

“The opening of the park and the new bridge, combined with the public realm upgrades in and around South Main Street, marks a significant milestone in the transformation of this historic area that will enhance connectivity, encourage footfall, and foster a stronger sense of community, delivering long-term benefits for residents, businesses, and visitors.”