February 22nd, 1966

FROM THE ARCHIVES: While the 50th anniversary celebrations of the 1916 Rising gathered momentum in the South, the opening of…

FROM THE ARCHIVES:While the 50th anniversary celebrations of the 1916 Rising gathered momentum in the South, the opening of a new bridge over the Lagan caused ructions among unionists in Belfast, as this report from an un-named special correspondent recorded.

If there is one thing the people of Northern Ireland find more difficult than naming a city, it’s christening a new bridge. In a city where symbols very often mean more than the principles they represent, the naming of the new Lagan bridge exploded so controversially that Unionist Party headquarters shook to its foundations.And the Unionists largely have themselves to blame. For on Monday night the powerful City Hall Unionist group held its caucus, behind closed doors, and in a tortuous discussion decided, by majority vote, that the new bridge should be called “Carson Bridge.” The alternative was “Somme Bridge.”When the choice of name was announced next morning, before a meeting of the Corporations improvement committee which had the naming of the £4 million bridge on its agenda, there was undisguised disbelief.

It was seen that the City Hall caucus had scant regard for the feelings of the minority or for the work done in improving community relations.The minutes ticked by and still the improvement committee debated. Then, dramatically in time for the lunchtime news on the B.B.C., the decision was announced – the bridge would be called “Queen Elizabeth Bridge.”But the ominous rumble could be heard when it was also announced that the name had been chosen at the behest of the Governor of Northern Ireland, Lord Erskine, who wished to avoid causing any embarrassment to Queen Elizabeth, who will officially open the new bridge ... in July.In the recriminations which followed, not even Caesars wife was above suspicion. Who had prompted the Governor to intervene? Who?

There was a quick reaction from many Unionist politicians and criticism of the Governors action was plentiful. The party chairman, Mr. Charles McCullagh, had no hesitation in saying publicly that the Governor had no business interfering in local affairs. Neither had he. But for a man who had no business in Corporation matters his action was as timely as it was effective.

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Next day Unionist chiefs met at City Hall and approved the choice of the improvement committee but strongly deprecated the unconstitutional action of the Governor. However, at the improvement committee meeting where the name was finally chosen the sting was in the tail. Sir Cecil McKee, with due deference to the throne, proposed that Queen Elizabeth’s name be engraved on the structure. The seconder was found in an irreverent little man who is in public life under the banner of “Republican Labour.” He said that Queen Elizabeth was the lesser of two evils.

Not only had the party men to accept the dictation of the Governor but oh, to have it rammed down their throats by a member of a republican socialist party not impressed by regal luxury. It was all too much!