Rosie Hackett bridge campaign stepped up

A PUBLIC meeting calling for Dublin’s newest bridge, over the River Liffey, to be named after Rosie Hackett was held in the city centre last week.

Rosie, a socialist and trade unionist is one of five people on the shortlist to have the bridge named after them.

A founder member of the Irish Women Workers’ Union, she was involved in the 1913 Lockout and also fought for the Irish Citizen Army during the 1916 Rising.

Comedienne and actress Tara Flynn chaired the public meeting.

Ms Flynn said:

“I’m ashamed to say how little I knew about Rosie Hackett until I heard about the bridge campaign and this has been a great opportunity to read up on her.

“The men of the Rising have train stations, streets, you name it named in their honour. The more I read about Rosie and how she fought for the rights of Irish workers, women in particular, the more fitting I think it is we should think of her whenever we cross the river.

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The campaigners are calling on all Dubliners to contact their local Dublin City councillors and ask them to support Rosie Hackett when they vote on the naming of the bridge at the next council meeting on Monday September 2.

Speaking at the meeting, organiser with the campaign, Jeni Gartland, said:

“We believe that in this, the 100th anniversary of the 1913 Dublin Lockout, we should pay tribute to the many women who made a huge contribution to the workers’ movement.

“By naming the bridge after Rosie Hackett, we would be doing just that.

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Dublin MEP Emer Costello reiterated her call for the new bridge to named after Rosie Hackett.

“As the potential names for our new bridge are whittled down to the final five, I am urging Dublin City Council to choose Rosie Hackett,

? said Ms Costello.

“I am also calling on all Dubliners to show their support for Rosie by adding their voices to the active Rosie Hackett Bridge Facebook campaign.

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