Dubliners are now able to take a "mosey across the Rosie" after the capital's newest bridge - and only one named after a woman - has been officially opened to the public.

The Rosie Hackett Bridge, a dedicated public transport and cycling bridge, is named in honour of the trade union activist and founding member of the Irish Women Workers' Union.

Graham Construction began work on the €6m project in early 2012, which was described as a contemporary design with a slender, single span, smooth concrete structure, with the underside of the bridge as high above the water as possible so that river traffic is not impeded.


The 48m bridge spans the River Liffey, connecting Marlborough Street on the northside to Hawkins Street on the southside. The bridge will carry hundreds of buses and as many as 600 pedestrians and Luas trams every day.

Dublin's Lord Mayor Oisin Quinn and Transport Minister Leo Varadkar, helped by Rosie's nephew John Gray, unveiled a plaque and cut the ribbon.

"The Rosie Hackett Bridge caters exclusively for multiple forms of sustainable transport," the Lord Mayor said.

"It will play a central role in improving bus performance along the city quays and provide an alternative route to O'Connell Bridge for cyclists and pedestrians crossing the Liffey.

"It will also provide a vital link for Luas Cross City and is a welcome addition to the city's expanding sustainable transport infrastructure. This also includes Dublin bikes, the Canal Way Cycle Route and Quality Bus Corridors."

(CD)