From an early age, the River Liffey conjures up childhood memories and good ones at that. Although not from the capital, the river opens up feelings of nostalgia and romance, however my first memory of the river was bit of a disappointment as I saw the discarded umbrellas and soiled nappies floating on top of the oil touched water as my father and I left a local watering hole on the way to Croke Park for an All-Ireland final.

Anyway, a new public transport and pedestrian bridge over the River Liffey is to be named soon and there are some rumours going around to what it should be named. There is big support for The James Connolly Bridge, the reasons for which don't need mentioning, but we already have a hospital and railway named after him!

Here are some other rumoured names for the new bridge:

Elizabeth O’Farrell, 1916 GPO garrison nurse
Tony Gregory, inner city TD
Maeve Binchy, author
Lord Edward Carson, unionist leader

The two that stand out for me are Tony Gregory, ex-SF, IRSP, Socialist Labour Party and teacher, he was a TD for almost 30 years before dying of cancer a few years back at the relatively young age of 61. Indeed even FG attended his funeral. He was championed for securing big bucks from the Haughey government for his poverty stricken constituency of North Inner City.

Carson is another surprise name in the running particularly this being the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Ulster Covenant. This certainly would be a bold, big step and a massive gesture to our unionist brothers and sisters north of the border. Although born in Dublin, Carson was leader of the UUP and curious inspector of Oscar Wilde's bedroom activities.

So who do you think we should name the new bridge after?

For you Dubs, here's a little knowledge of the bridges that currently cross the Liffey, if any are omitted please let me know and accept my apologies.

Leixlip Bridge
M4 motorway
New Bridge
Liffey Bridge
Rock Bridge
Straffan Bridge
The Bridge at 16
Alexandra Bridge
Millicent Bridge
Leinster Aqueduct
Railway bridge, MP 19
Caragh Bridge
Kilcullen Bridge or The Bridge, Kilcullen

Note: There are no bridges named after a woman, although I don't feel that is enough reason to name it after Binchy.

Something to do with Dodgy Bankers and Dodgy Politicians.

This Bridge is a Monument to our Dodgy Overlords !

Petition to name new bridge after Walton, our only winner of Nobel Prize for scientific discipline:The Walton Bridge petition

Couldn't just leave it as Marlborough Street bridge no? Bit of an obsession in this city with naming stuff. I am forever delighted that the petition to rename the Red Luas line as the (Gerry) Ryan line never got legs.

How about the Dr. James Reilly bridge.... a bridge too far.

Seriously though, I wasn't aware that none of our bridges are named after women.... that's a bit poor. For that reason it should be named after a woman but as the op states not necessarily Binchy.

Originally Posted by noelf

Couldn't just leave it as Marlborough Street bridge no? Bit of an obsession in this city with naming stuff. I am forever delighted that the petition to rename the Red Luas line as the (Gerry) Ryan line never got legs.

I think it is a nice touch to name things after people, it's kinda historic and cool, giving something permanent a meaning.

Although naming the Red Luas Line after Gerry would be hilarious for all the wrong reasons, just say it out loud 'Gerry's Line'...! At least that would be relevant to the deceased!

Agreed on naming it after a woman, so why not the Irish born dancer and founder of the Royal Ballet; Ninette de Valois.

Johannes Scotus Eriugena deserves the mantle; he's only gotten his mug on a bank note thus far!

The IMF bridge ??

On the basis that if we let them use their name they might provide a small stipend towards it's upkeep.

Imelda May....ftw