Sir, – The Abbey Theatre is seeking 3,000 signatures in support of naming the new Liffey bridge “Abbey Bridge” (Frank McDonald, Home News, April 15th). The national theatre is called the Abbey because it is on Lower Abbey Street, so-called because it was the site of a medieval monastery. What would Abbey bridge commemorate, the monastery or the theatre? I am persuaded however, that the theatre does have a legitimate interest in the naming of the bridge because of its proximity.
I would prefer the bridge to be named the Tony Gregory Bridge after my late brother, who did much for the rejuvenation of Dublin’s inner city.
I can, however, see the merit in calling the bridge “Gregory bridge”. This would satisfy the theatre lobby as it would honour Augusta Gregory, co-founder of the national theatre, of whom WB Yeats wrote: “She had been to me mother, friend, sister and brother, I cannot realise the world without her, she brought to my wavering thoughts steadfast mobility”.
It would also satisfy the feminist lobby as it would be named after a woman. It would equally satisfy the Tony Gregory lobby, by commemorating him in his beloved inner city.
So why not simply call it the “Gregory Bridge” in memory of Augusta and Tony? – Yours, etc,
NOEL GREGORY,
Sackville Gardens,
Ballybough, Dublin 3.