REVEALED: The official names chosen for major infrastructure projects in Kilkenny

The names for five major local infrastructure projects have been approved following recommendations from The Naming of Infrastructure Committee.

Castlecomer Pedestrian Bridge is set to be named ‘Miners Bridge’ and Cootes Land Bridge in Kilkenny City is set to be named ‘Rosehill Bridge’.

The city skate park will be named ‘Abbey Skate Park’ and the outdoor square in the Market Yard will be named ‘Dame Alice Yard’.

As well as that, the new river facilities planned for the River Nore in Kilkenny City will be named ‘Kilkenny - River Nore River Facilities’.

Multiple councillors remarked about the fitting name of the ‘Miners Bridge’ in Castlecomer, including its proposer, Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick, who is on the naming committee.

“The Miner’s Bridge can now embody the enduring spirit of Castlecomer and serve as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made and the enduring legacy left by the miners and their families,” he said.

“The idea was inspired by a conversation I had with the late Seamie Walsh who asked me if anything could be done to remember the miners who had given so much to the town.”

There was a less than lukewarm reception for the proposed name for the city river facilities but elected members were informed that the name was chosen as part of a national tourism branding strategy informed by Fáilte Ireland.

Historical context was key to the naming of the other three projects, and the naming of the ‘Dame Alice Yard’ coincides with the 700th Anniversary of the witch trial of Dame Alice Kyteler and the burning at the stake of her servant, Petronilla de Meath.

The Committee is assisted by local authority corporate services and a sub-committee consisting of the Heritage Officer, Conservation Officer, Architect and Arts Officer with the support of the Library Local Studies.

The sub-committee carries out ground research in relation to the area in order to support appropriate names for the infrastructure.

It is made up of five elected members and a Chair was selected for the term of the Council. The members are Cllr John Coonan (Chair), Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick, Cllr Andrew McGuinness, Cllr Michael Doyle and Cllr Pat Dunphy.