Proposal to name new Mayo bridge after Michael Davitt

THE new bridge over the Moy at Cloongullane could be named after Land League founder Michael Davitt.

The suggestion has been put forward by Councillor Neil Cruise in memory and proper recognition of one of Mayo's greatest sons.

In requesting the support of his council colleagues to name the bridge currently under construction at Cloongullane the Michael Davitt Bridge, he said Davitt was not a county theme or a national theme but an international one.

There has been a huge amount of work done in developing ties synonymous with Michael Davitt, building relationships with the Chinese and Indian embassies, and there is also the relationship with Glasgow Celtic.

The new bridge is a key piece of infrastructure in east Mayo, extending into north Mayo, and parallels are there for creating relationships, which Davitt was famous for.

Straide, he continued, is really going to be put on the map in the next few years.

It is past time for Mayo County, said Councillor Cruise, to develop this theme, which is bigger than Straide, Mayo and Ireland and is truly international, and develop something special for the county, and this would be a nice start.

Councillor Jarlath Munnelly said we haven't done half enough to celebrate Davitt's legacy in the county. His was a real non-violent legacy and he has inspired people internationally.

Swinford-based Councillor Michael Smyth, cathaoirleach, noted how Davitt had a connection with the workhouse in the town, where his family spent time.

There is a procedure to be gone through in naming bridges, which includes public consultation.