Mary O'Rourke Bridge: public views sought

Westmeath County Council has formally started the public consultation process to name the Athlone Greenway Bridge in honour of the late Mary O'Rourke.

In a public notice this week, the Municipal District of Athlone-Moate is inviting members of the public to have their say on the proposed re-naming of the Greenway Bridge to the Mary O'Rourke Bridge/Droichead Mháire Ui Ruairc.

Submissions or observations on the proposed change can be made, in writing, to the District Administrator, Municipal District of Athlone-Moate, Civic Centre, Church Street, Athlone, or through the Westmeath County Council Consultation Portal at consult.westmeathcoco.ie

The closing date for submissions or observation is: on or before 4pm on Friday, August 29 next.

The proposal to name a significant piece of infrastructure in Athlone in honour of Mary O'Rourke received unanimous support when Independent Ireland councillor Paul Hogan, brought it to the monthly meeting of Athlone Moate Municipal District in March of this year.

The issue was re-visited at the July meeting, where Cllr Hogan proposed that Westmeath County Council initiate the public consultation process for the naming of the bridge in honour of the former Minister from Athlone whose stellar political career spanned almost four decades.

Cllr Hogan pointed out that there had been “overwhelming support online” for the Greenway Bridge to be re-named as the Mary O'Rourke Bridge and he suggested that both the English and Irish versions of the late Minister's name be used as part of the naming process.