Sir, – Tom Cooper’s call (June 4th) for the new bridge linking Marlborough Street to Hawkins Street to be named the “Proclamation Bridge” is an interesting one.
My choice would be to honour Sir Edward Carson, one of the most famous and influential of all Dubliners and surely worthy of proper remembrance in his native city. In this era of anniversaries, this official recognition of Carson’s contribution to this island’s history would also send out a positive message that we embrace our shared unionist tradition and history rather than pursuing a strictly republican version.
Carson was a Wesley and Trinity man, a keen hurler and the most brilliant legal brain of his age. He went on to champion the unionist tradition in this country.
He is a more positive model than those signatories of the Proclamation who were engaged in a selfish action against the wishes of the majority.
Carson worked to ensure the best deal for this island and was aware that the Irish question was being used by mainstream parties for their own benefit.
The naming of the new bridge after him would send a message to all that we have respect for all traditions and finally have reached the true republican ideals as espoused by those influenced by the age of enlightenment, such as Wolfe Tone, rather than narrow Irish republicans, such as Pearse. – Yours, etc,
