Naming Bridges etc For Marginal Historical Figures Based On Gender

SafeSurfer

A new bridge over the river Barrow has been named the Rose FitzGerald Kennedy Bridge.
A different name received more votes from the public. Rose Kennedy is, at best, a very marginal historical figure. The mother of a dead US president and senator. She was never elected to office, didn’t invent anything or discover a cure for anything.
Is naming bridges etc for figures based not on achievements but on gender or other criteria nonsense?

TheShow

Shure dont we love anything to do with the Kennedys

Eric Cartman

yeah, its just 'women on a pedestal' men bad logic gone mad really.

a) How do you know she was selected based on gender?
b) "She was never elected to office, didn’t invent anything or discover a cure for anything." - What has this got to do with anything? There are plenty of places/streets/monuments to people who don't fit any of those categories
c) You do realise this is one of the central themes to the 2nd last Ross O'Carroll Kelly books.....where people get all in a tizzy about renaming things for women rather than men

James Brown

SafeSurfer wrote: »

A new bridge over the river Barrow has been named the Rose FitzGerald Kennedy Bridge.
A different name received more votes from the public. Rose Kennedy is, at best, a very marginal historical figure. The mother of a dead US president and senator. She was never elected to office, didn’t invent anything or discover a cure for anything.
Is naming bridges etc for figures based not on achievements but on gender or other criteria nonsense?

Use to be based on pecking order not achievements at all. Then it was popularity among peers. Now it's what evs...don't get triggered or outraged or whatever the kids call it.

Beta Ray Bill

why do we even need to name to f**king bridges!?

Can we not just call it "Bridge 82B-712"

boombang

I definitely think there's a revisionist gender agenda regarding such naming.

I didn't know who Rosie Hackett was until they named a bridge after her. I definitely knew how Sean O'Casey and Samuel Beckett were before the bridges were named after them.

Still, we have to be fair and recognise that men have had it way easier to achieve prominence throughout history.

Despite that, there are plenty of ring roads named after male gobshíte local councilors who don't deserve to have a a manhole cover dedicated to them.

loyatemu

who cares, it's a bridge, her family came from local stock. I'm a man, I have no problem with addressing the gender imbalance in these things but it will probably take decades if not centuries before things are evened out.

Overheal

Do I need to care about this more than the Boaty McBoatface scandal (Read: not at all)?

FishOnABike

Who is this Rose? And how does she fit Gerald Kennedy?

riffmongous

From what I've read, it seems more like it was a local politics play by the Wexford councillors to get it named after someone related to their area, rather than the alternative geography based alternative, Pink Rock. Which makes sense, whatever marginal interest naming it after a Kennedy in an area that really pushed its connection to the Kennedys might arouse, naming it after a rock has no benefit at all

osarusan

Wexford continues to extract every ounce from its Kennedy links.

is_that_so

Can't see the fuss here TBH. It's a Kennedy connection and she was the matriarch.

riemann

A bigger disgrace is the Mary McAleese Bridge.

Should have been called after Mary Harney, at least she actually did something with her life.

James Brown

Fine Gael TD Catherine Byrne wanted to gentrify the Liberties by renaming it 'SOHO', for south of Heuston (station) after the red light district in London. What a jack ass. Didn't go down well.

tritriagain

osarusan wrote: »

Wexford continues to extract every ounce from its Kennedy links.

Wexford County council does. Believe me the people of wexford are sick of it.

James Brown

riemann wrote: »

A bigger disgrace is the Mary McAleese Bridge.

Should have been called after Mary Harney, at least she actually did something with her life.

More an airport after Harney taking the state jet to open a pals pub.

whisky_galore

Maybe name it after her poor kid they put through a botched lobotomy?

vriesmays

Name it Dan O'Herlihy bridge - Wexford actor who was in Robocop.

riffmongous

whisky_galore wrote: »

Maybe name it after her poor kid they put through a botched lobotomy?

That's actually what I thought it was at first, her name was
also Rosemary

Overheal

tritriagain wrote: »

Wexford County council does. Believe me the people of wexford are sick of it.

Ah sure but not sick of the tourism

whisky_galore

SafeSurfer wrote: »

A new bridge over the river Barrow has been named the Rose FitzGerald Kennedy Bridge.
A different name received more votes from the public. Rose Kennedy is, at best, a very marginal historical figure. The mother of a dead US president and senator. She was never elected to office, didn’t invent anything or discover a cure for anything.
Is naming bridges etc for figures based not on achievements but on gender or other criteria nonsense?

Umm, why bother asking the public if the council were going to overrule it?

whisky_galore

riffmongous wrote: »

From what I've read, it seems more like it was a local politics play by the Wexford councillors to get it named after someone related to their area, rather than the alternative geography based alternative, Pink Rock. Which makes sense, whatever marginal interest naming it after a Kennedy in an area that really pushed its connection to the Kennedys might arouse, naming it after a rock has no benefit at all

Unless it was Fraggle Rock.

Spanish Eyes

It will be known by everyone as the Barrow Bridge. Formally I suppose it will be RFK Bridge and it may be shortened to that also.

No doubt there will be a plaque and a formal opening with all the sycophantic vote gathering councillors and TDs jostling to get into the picture.

Sorry for being so cynical, I probably shouldn't be that bad.

It is a magnificent feat of engineering though, and looks really great. Well done all involved, despite the teething problems.

SafeSurfer

Deleted User wrote: »

a) How do you know she was selected based on gender?
b) "She was never elected to office, didn’t invent anything or discover a cure for anything." - What has this got to do with anything? There are plenty of places/streets/monuments to people who don't fit any of those categories
c) You do realise this is one of the central themes to the 2nd last Ross O'Carroll Kelly books.....where people get all in a tizzy about renaming things for women rather than men

Have a look at what a Councillor said about the naming of the bridge. Would any politician speak about the strength JFK brought to the “men” of Ireland? No they would just say “people”.



“In explaining her preference for Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, Cllr O’Neill stated: “Naming the bridge in Rose Kennedy’s name reflects the strength she brought to the women of Ireland.”



Cllr Oisin O'Connell said he was “ very happy with Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy as it works on many levels, including social inclusion.”

What “social inclusion” boxes does the white, catholic, millionaire Rose Kennedy tick apart from her gender.

whisky_galore

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/crumbling-concrete-delays-finish-of-ireland-s-longest-bridge-1.4029146?mode=amp&fbclid=IwAR1gmT05dmgkBnu2W84Tcxb_k_QFbdacO-ftfrX3MUsPyFUILl7QvOERJvc

Tony EH

Is this really a thread moaning about the naming a bridge after a woman.

Really?

Where do you people come from?

SafeSurfer

Tony EH wrote: »

Is this really a thread moaning about the naming a bridge after a woman.

Really?

Where do you people come from?

Not because she is a woman but JUST because she is a woman.

Annasopra

riemann wrote: »

A bigger disgrace is the Mary McAleese Bridge.

Should have been called after Mary Harney, at least she actually did something with her life.

Its outrageous Joe

Annasopra

Tony EH wrote: »

Is this really a thread moaning about the naming a bridge after a woman.

Really?

Where do you people come from?

Under a bridge?

kneemos

tritriagain wrote: »

Wexford County council does. Believe me the people of wexford are sick of it.

The folk of New Ross I believe are beyond sick of everything around them being named after another Kennedy.

Not a shower I'd name anything after.

Boggles

SafeSurfer wrote: »

A new bridge over the river Barrow has been named the Rose FitzGerald Kennedy Bridge.
A different name received more votes from the public. Rose Kennedy is, at best, a very marginal historical figure. The mother of a dead US president and senator. She was never elected to office, didn’t invent anything or discover a cure for anything.
Is naming bridges etc for figures based not on achievements but on gender or other criteria nonsense?

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/newrossstandard/news/vote-will-see-iconic-bridge-named-after-rose-kennedy-37325510.html

n a public submissions process in May there were 142 valid submissions from County Wexford residents and 47 different names were suggested. 71 valid submissions were received in Kilkenny, with 30 names proposed.

27 people made submissions for the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy name to New Ross Municipal District, followed by 17 for the Pink Rock Bridge and 16 for the William Marshal Bridge. One person suggested the Michael D Higgins Bridge

Outrage over?

kneemos

Boggles wrote: »

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/newrossstandard/news/vote-will-see-iconic-bridge-named-after-rose-kennedy-37325510.html



Outrage over?

Twenty seven people is a landslide.

Boggles

kneemos wrote: »

Twenty seven people is a landslide.

Moot.

The claim was more people voted for another name.

Cookie_Monster

Overheal wrote: »

Do I need to care about this more than the Boaty McBoatface scandal (Read: not at all)?

Yes, yes you do.
BridgyMcBridgeface ftw

Pherekydes

Matt Barrett wrote: »

Fine Gael TD Catherine Byrne wanted to gentrify the Liberties by renaming it 'SOHO', for south of Heuston (station) after the red light district in London. What a jack ass. Didn't go down well.

She probably didn't notice that 'south of Heuston' would give SoHe. Dim jack ass.

SafeSurfer

Boggles wrote: »

SafeSurfer wrote: »

A new bridge over the river Barrow has been named the Rose FitzGerald Kennedy Bridge.
A different name received more votes from the public. Rose Kennedy is, at best, a very marginal historical figure. The mother of a dead US president and senator. She was never elected to office, didn’t invent anything or discover a cure for anything.
Is naming bridges etc for figures based not on achievements but on gender or other criteria nonsense?

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/newrossstandard/news/vote-will-see-iconic-bridge-named-after-rose-kennedy-37325510.html

n a public submissions process in May there were 142 valid submissions from County Wexford residents and 47 different names were suggested. 71 valid submissions were received in Kilkenny, with 30 names proposed.

27 people made submissions for the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy name to New Ross Municipal District, followed by 17 for the Pink Rock Bridge and 16 for the William Marshal Bridge. One person suggested the Michael D Higgins Bridge

Outrage over?

http://www.munster-express.ie/front-page-news/more-sparks-fly-over-rose-kennedy-bridge/

“For me and for a lot of people it’s hugely disappointing that the Pink Rock Bridge, the name which gained the most public support in terms of submissions to both local authorities, 34 in our Municipal District and 17 in New Ross, a total of 51, has not been selected for the new bridge,” said Cllr Doherty following the vote.

“A majority of Councillors have instead approved the name of Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy for the bridge despite it receiving just one public submission in Kilkenny and 27 in Wexford. The statistics are there. The facts speak for themselves: 51 to 28, overwhelming support for the Pink Rock Bridge to be put forward as the name for this magnificent new bridge but seven New Ross Councillors, in addition to one of our own, supported the Rose Kennedy option, and to me, it’s hugely disappointing.”

Boggles

SafeSurfer wrote: »

http://www.munster-express.ie/front-page-news/more-sparks-fly-over-rose-kennedy-bridge/

“For me and for a lot of people it’s hugely disappointing that the Pink Rock Bridge, the name which gained the most public support in terms of submissions to both local authorities, 34 in our Municipal District and 17 in New Ross, a total of 51, has not been selected for the new bridge,” said Cllr Doherty following the vote.

“A majority of Councillors have instead approved the name of Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy for the bridge despite it receiving just one public submission in Kilkenny and 27 in Wexford. The statistics are there. The facts speak for themselves: 51 to 28, overwhelming support for the Pink Rock Bridge to be put forward as the name for this magnificent new bridge but seven New Ross Councillors, in addition to one of our own, supported the Rose Kennedy option, and to me, it’s hugely disappointing.”

The public supported the decision made in this chamber without any shadow of a doubt and I would be very supportive of the name, Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. The public have had their say and I think they should be listened to.'

Someone is not telling the truth.

I imagine it comes down to valid submissions.

optogirl

boombang wrote: »

I definitely think there's a revisionist gender agenda regarding such naming.

I didn't know who Rosie Hackett was until they named a bridge after her. I definitely knew how Sean O'Casey and Samuel Beckett were before the bridges were named after them.

Still, we have to be fair and recognise that men have had it way easier to achieve prominence throughout history.

Despite that, there are plenty of ring roads named after male gobshíte local councilors who don't deserve to have a a manhole cover dedicated to them.

I think that's very much the point

randd1

kneemos wrote: »

The folk of New Ross I believe are beyond sick of everything around them being named after another Kennedy.

Not a shower I'd name anything after.

The Kennedy Curse Bridge?

Roger Hassenforder

Boggles wrote: »

n a public submissions process in May there were 142 valid submissions from County Wexford residents and 47 different names were suggested. 71 valid submissions were received in Kilkenny, with 30 names proposed.

27 people made submissions for the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy name to New Ross Municipal District, followed by 17 for the Pink Rock Bridge and 16 for the William Marshal Bridge. One person suggested the Michael D Higgins Bridge

The Kilkenny people missed a trick. If all 30 had made the same submission , they'd have a DJ Carey or a Brian Cody bridge in Wexford.

Roger Hassenforder

randd1 wrote: »

The Kennedy Curse Bridge?

The who pissed on the powder bridge?

topper75

Was this Rose lady not effectively a County Limerick/County Cavan lady, if we are to see her as 'Irish' at all? She was only married into the Wexford Kennedys.
Also, she was one Thatcher-looking bint altogether:

Boggles

Hang on, so the 2 popular choices was Rose or Pink Rock?

So if the decision was based on gender as the OP claims.

Who is Mr. Pink Rock?

B0jangles

Am I the only one who thinks calling a bridge the 'Pink Rock' is just looking for trouble?

The graffitti almost draws itself.

Boggles

B0jangles wrote: »

Am I the only one who thinks calling a bridge the 'Pink Rock' is just looking for trouble?

The graffitti almost draws itself.

Sounds like a DIY tool for a lady!

SafeSurfer

optogirl wrote: »

boombang wrote: »

I definitely think there's a revisionist gender agenda regarding such naming.

I didn't know who Rosie Hackett was until they named a bridge after her. I definitely knew how Sean O'Casey and Samuel Beckett were before the bridges were named after them.

Still, we have to be fair and recognise that men have had it way easier to achieve prominence throughout history.

Despite that, there are plenty of ring roads named after male gobshíte local councilors who don't deserve to have a a manhole cover dedicated to them.

I think that's very much the point

I can understand the point of naming bridges for historical female figures who have been historically overlooked, in order to raise their profile.

Rosie Hackett’s fame, however small was due to her own achievements. Not through her relationship (mother) to others achievements.

osarusan

SafeSurfer wrote: »

Not because she is a woman but JUST because she is a woman

Given Wexford's history of playing up the Kennedy link as much as possible, it seems fairly likely it's because she's a Kennedy, not because she's a woman.

I don't think it's a good example at all of what you are suggesting.

SafeSurfer

osarusan wrote: »

SafeSurfer wrote: »

Not because she is a woman but JUST because she is a woman

Given Wexford's history of playing up the Kennedy link as much as possible, it seems fairly likely it's because she's a Kennedy, not because she's a woman.

I don't think it's a good example at all of what you are suggesting.

Well if that’s the case why isn’t it called the Joseph P. Kennedy Bridge?

I am fully supportive of the Mary Eleme Bridge in Cork. Based on merit. Not gender.

osarusan

SafeSurfer wrote: »

Well if that’s the case why isn’t it called the Joseph P. Kennedy Bridge?

I am fully supportive of the Mary Eleme Bridge in Cork. Based on merit. Not gender.

If it had been called the Joseph P. Kennedy bridge, would you be calling that a decision based on gender too?

I think it's a stupid name for a bridge in Ireland, and would have been no better if it was called the Joseph P. Kennedy bridge either.

It would be great if these things were chosen on merit. I'm happy to agree that this isn't the case here. But I don't think her gender had anything to do with it. I think her surname had everything to do with it.

James Brown

Boggles wrote: »

Hang on, so the 2 popular choices was Rose or Pink Rock?

So if the decision was based on gender as the OP claims.

Who is Mr. Pink Rock?

Some folk are looking for outrage so they can claim there's too much outrage these days...it's a thing.