5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Musical celebration to mark 40 years of the Luke Kelly bridge this weekend
The celebration on Saturday, May 31, is being organised in association with Dublin City Council and will mark the bridge's connection to the folk musician.
The Luke Kelly bridge spans the Tolka River and links Fairview to the city. On May 31, 1985, it was officially renamed from the Ballybough bridge.
The renaming was backed by the late Tony Gregory TD, and its official opening was attended by then-Taoiseach Charlie Haughey, the Dubliners, Bertie Ahern and Michael D. Higgins.
Musician and Luke Kelly tribute act, Chris Kavanagh, said: 'It's hard to believe it's been 40 years since they named a bridge after Luke.
'There is so much respect that people have for Luke that it's a real honour to be involved in the celebrations.
'Luke has not only been a huge inspiration to me, but to musicians everywhere,' he added.
This weekend's musical celebration will be followed by a history talk with Sean Deegan of the Irish Tenement Museum and a prize giving ceremony to children.
Luke's niece, Niamh Kelly, said the renaming of the bridge was a poignant tribute to her late uncle.
'As his niece, it is a great honour that Dublin is still celebrating the legacy of Luke, his music and how his voice and the songs he sang have crossed many generations, many seas and many oceans,' she said.
The bridge is among a number of tributes to the Dubliner which are dotted around the city, including two statues positioned on both sides of the Liffey.
The southside bronze statue is a lifesize, seated Luke Kelly, positioned on South King's Street. The second, a portrait head of the musician, is located beside the Royal Canal near his former Sheriff Street home. Both statues were unveiled in 2019.
A Luke Kelly commemorative coin was also released in 2022, joining other iconic musicians including Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott and guitarist Rory Gallagher.
The 40th anniversary celebration of the bridge comes off the back of the third year of the Luke Kelly festival, a free family event celebrating his life and legacy which took place in Smithfield Square.
The festivities to mark 40 years since the renaming of Luke Kelly bridge will begin at 11.30am sharp on Saturday, May 31
