Ballybough Celebrates 40 Years of the Luke Kelly Bridge #LUKEKELLYBRIDGE40
Dublin. – On Saturday, 31st May 2025, the community of Ballybough will come together to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the renaming of the historic Ballybough Bridge as the Luke Kelly Bridge. This landmark occasion will honour the bridge’s rich history and its connection to one of Dublin’s most beloved musical icons, Luke Kelly of The Dubliners.
Opened officially on 31st May 1985, the Luke Kelly Bridge spans the Tolka River, linking Fairview with the city. The decision to rename the bridge after Luke Kelly was championed by the late Tony Gregory TD, reflecting the deep cultural significance of the folk legend to the people of Dublin. The bridge itself has stood in some form on this site since the late 1400s, undergoing various reconstructions over the centuries, including a major widening in 1985 to accommodate five lanes of traffic.
The original opening ceremony in 1985 was a momentous occasion, attended by key figures such as Taoiseach Charles Haughey, The Dubliners, Bertie Ahern, Nial Ring, Michael D. Higgins, and many of Luke Kelly’s family and friends. The event was further graced by actress Deirdre O’Connell, singer Christy Moore, and presided over by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Michael O’Halloran, and Dublin City Manager, Frank Feely.
Beyond its musical significance, the bridge holds a deep historical importance. The first recorded bridge on the site dates back to 1313, built by John Le Decer, a three-time Provost of Dublin, only to be destroyed by floods shortly after. The site is also believed to have played a role in the legendary Battle of Clontarf in 1014, with historian T. O’Gorman (1879) citing it as a key location in the battle’s unfolding. Furthermore, Ballybough’s eerie history is thought to have influenced Bram Stoker’s iconic novel, Dracula, as the area was home to an unconsecrated burial site for criminals and suicides, traditionally staked down at a crossroads to prevent their souls from wandering.
Ballybough’s historical significance extends beyond the bridge itself. Just up the road, the Irish Jewish Museum serves as a reminder of the area’s diverse cultural heritage, highlighting the deep-rooted connections between Dublin’s Jewish community and the Northside of the city.
The 40th anniversary celebrations promise to be a vibrant tribute to both Luke Kelly’s legacy and the bridge’s historical and cultural significance. The event will include live music performances by renowned Luke Kelly Tribute Chris Kavanagh & friends, history talk with Sean Deegan (Irish Tenement Museum & In The Shadow Of Croker Walking Tours) as well as a prize giving ceremony to local children and members of Luke Kelly’s family will be in attendance.
Quote from Bessie, Luke’s sister
“I remember very well the day the bridge was dedicated to my brother. It was a wonderful day. Luke was a very proud Northsider and he’d be very moved that the people of Ballybough have remembered him in this way”
Date: Saturday, 31st May 2025 (June Bank Holiday weekend!)
Time: 11:30 AM Sharp
Location: Luke Kelly Bridge, Ballybough (Beside the Clonliffe House)
The event will feature a live performance by Chris Kavanagh in tribute to Luke Kelly and friends, followed by a short history talk by local historian Sean Deegan (Tenement Museum & In the Shadow of Croker walking tours) and a presentation to children in the area at Ballybough Community Centre, 49 Ballybough Road, Dublin D03 C995
