A plaque to mark the official naming of ‘Droichead an Dóchais’, the pedestrian and cycle bridge located adjacent to the Salmon Weir Bridge, was unveiled last week by the Mayor of Galway, Cllr Eddie Hoare.

The name ‘Droichead an Dóchais’ was among more than 60 suggestions proposed in a public engagement process which ran from December 2023 to February this year.

Members of the public who proposed Dóchas/ Hope as the bridge name included Linda Keohane of Furbo; Loretto King of Bohermore; and service users of Ainm Chroí in Claregalway, which provides a Day Centre and Housing units that support older people to live independently.

The three were present at Friday’s launch when they were presented with a certificate by Mayor Hoare to commemorate their suggestions which ultimately inspired the final name of the new bridge.

The submissions proposing Dóchais/Hope as the name of the bridge said the name was, “…hope for the future. In this time of challenging climate change, Galway has put in place a solid, tangible structure to enable people to use their cars less, and walk across a beautiful river, experiencing the view, the wildlife, the fresh air…”. They also said, “…due to the amount of suicide cases can we call the bridge The Bridge of Hope…”, and “…I would like the new bridge to be named HOPE. For everyone who needs it. It helps everyone cross a river and it provides safety and strength”.

Galway City Council’s Civic Naming Committee reviewed all proposals, in relation to the Civic Naming Protocol, and agreed unanimously to recommend ‘Droichead an Dóchais’ for consideration of the Corporate Policy Group and Council Members. The name was formally adopted by elected members at a special meeting of Galway City Council in April 2024, and a number of Councillors were also among those present at Friday’s formal naming ceremony.

It is now one year since Droichead an Dóchais first opened to the public in May 2023. It is the first new bridge to span the Corrib in over 30 years and allows for a safe, comfortable crossing of the River Corrib for whose walking, wheeling and cycling.

Used by thousands of people each day, it has also created a new public space for locals and tourists alike to cross over three watercourses, while taking in the wildlife, natural and built heritage around them.

Droichead an Dóchais was funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) Active Travel Programme and European Regional Development Funding (ERDF).

Pictured at the unveiling of the plaque  are (from left) Marcus Ó Conaire, Irish Officer, Galway City Council; Mayor of Galway, Cllr Eddie Hoare; Cllr Clodagh Higgins; Peter Scully, Anam Croí (in back row); Cllr Donal Lyons; Chief Executive of Galway City Council, Leonard Cleary; Cllrs Frank Fahy and Terry O’Flaherty; James Russell, Senior Planner, Galway City Council; and Linda Keohane, who was one of the people who suggested the name Droichead an Dóchais.