Nurse Elizabeth O’Farrell Bridge a fitting name

The suggestion by Justin Kelly to name the new bridge across the river Liffey in honour of our Olympic gold medallist Katie Taylor (Letters, Aug 15) is, I believe, bordering on the ridiculous.

This is not in any way a slight on the character or achievements of the diminutive Katie, whose talents and behaviour inside and outside the ring are a credit to her. However, to nominate someone for such an honour should not be given to euphoric superficial spontaneity. Without question, Katie, and all those Olympians representing Ireland at London 2012, did themselves and their country proud, but we must keep a sense of balance and proportion.

There have been many names suggested for this honour, including the late Meave Binchy and Con Houlihan, both well respected and probably more worthy of consideration than the young Katie Taylor.

As we approach the centenary of the most seminal event in Irish history, the Easter Rising of 1916, and as this new bridge spanning the Liffey is due for completion next year, may I suggest that Dublin City Council might be encouraged to consider naming it in honour of Nurse Elizabeth O’Farrell. This heroic lady, with little regard for her own safety, not only tended to the wounded James Connolly and others in the GPO during the Easter Rising, but delivered the letter of surrender from Patrick Pearse to the British military and carried the surrender dispatches to the rebel commandants throughout Dublin City.

Tom Cooper

Delaford Lawn

Knocklyon

Dublin 16