01-06-2025
Ballybough celebrates 40 years of the Luke Kelly Bridge
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The Ballybough community rallied together this morning to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the renaming of the historic Ballybough Bridge as the Luke Kelly Bridge.
Opened officially on 31st May 1985, the Luke Kelly Bridge spans the Tolka River, linking Fairview with the city. The decision to rename the bridge after Luke Kelly was put forward by the late Tony Gregory TD, reflecting the deep cultural significance of the folk legend to Dubliners.
The bridge itself has stood in some form on this site since the late 1400s, undergoing various reconstructions over the centuries, including a major widening in 1985 to accommodate five lanes of traffic.
Today's 40th anniversary celebrations proved to be a touching tribute to Luke's legacy and included live music performances by renowned Luke Kelly Tribute Chris Kavanagh & friends.
Speaking to Dublin Live at the event, Cllr Nial Ring said: "I can't believe it's been 40 years. It's a great occasion and you can see people that were here then are here again. It's going to be a lovely occasion to celebrate 40 years.
"Of course Luke died the previous year. Our good friend from this area Tony Gregory, a great friend of mine and (Cllr Christy Burke's), put forward the proposal. Christy got into the Council and from then on he's done his 40 years. I haven't done quite as long but it's just great to be here and have an occasion like this."
Bessie McCann, Luke's sister, said: 'I remember very well the day the bridge was dedicated to my brother. It was a wonderful day.
"Luke was a very proud Northsider and he'd be very moved that the people of Ballybough have remembered him in this way."
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