Senator Ollie Crowe has called on Galway City Council to name the new Salmon Weir Bridge in honour of local historian and writer, Peadar O’Dowd, who died last week.

Senator Crowe praised the popular historian for his “enormous contribution to Galway City, throughout his life, in a variety of ways”.

Those included “his teaching or lecturing in GMIT, his expert writing both on the history of Galway and its built heritage, which were the subject of weekly columns in newspaper and many books, his guided tours, which were extraordinarily popular, and his founding of the St Patrick’s Parish magazine in 1978 which continues on and has evolved into Galway’s Own magazine”.

Senator Crowe added “Given the location of the bridge, this would be particularly appropriate as Peadar was named as one of the 12 heroes of Galway’s waterways, having formed the Galway Waterways Preservation Society in 1967, which successfully blocked plans to turn the Eglinton Canal into a road and the Claddagh Basin into a car park. He was also a keen fisherman, having grown up doing so on the Corrib and that hobby continued throughout his life. He won angling competitions at all levels and also represented Ireland on a number of occasions.”

Senator Crowe concluded “this honour would ensure that his legacy is remembered for years to come, as is only appropriate for a man who gave so much to Galway without ever asking for anything in return”.

Peadar O’Dowd’s passing was mourned at this week’s meeting of Galway City Council, with councillors joining in tributes to the Bohermore native.

Cllr Terry O’Flaherty (Ind) said at Monday’s meeting in City Hall that she was delighted during her term as Mayor of Galway to have honoured a man whose contribution to his native city would stand the test of time.

“A great neighbour and a great friend,” was how Cllr Michael Crowe (FF) remembered Peadar O’Dowd when he recalled how as a ‘young lad’, Peadar would bring him fishing on his boat up the Corrib.

Cllr Declan McDonnell said that as a teacher, historian and author, Peadar O’Dowd was full of knowledge and wisdom and was most generous in the giving of his time to other people.

According to Cllr Donal Lyons (Ind), the one thing that shone through about Peadar O’Dowd was his great love for his native Galway. “His articles in the Tribune for over 30 years were a joy to read,” said Cllr Lyons.

A number of other councillors also joined in the tributes to Peadar O’Dowd while Mayor Eddie Hoare (FG) said that a book of condolences had been opened for him at the Galway City Museum through this week and next week.

Pictured: Naming the new Salmon Weir Bridge after the late Peadar O’Dowd would be particularly appropriate as he was named one of the 12 heroes of the city’s waterways, says Senator Ollie Crowe. PHOTO: ANDREW DOWNES.  See obituary page 18.