Dublin City Council has announced the final five proposed names for the new bridge over the River Liffey near Marlborough Street.The Council’s Commemorative Naming Committee had the difficult task of reducing the previous shortlist of 10 names to 5. Kay Mills, former Dublin Camogie Star and the holder of 15 All Ireland medals has made the short list, along with Rosie Hackett, Willie Bermingham, Frank Duff and Bram Stoker. The five nominations will be put before a full meeting of the Elected Members of Dublin City Council in the autumn for a final decision on the naming of the bridge.
The Camogie Association and Dublin Camogie Board have been campaigning to have the new bridge over the river Liffey named in honour of Mills who won fifteen senior All Ireland medals. Kay Mills is the only Gaelic games team player to hold such an honour, eclipsing hurling legends such as Christy Ring, John Doyle and Henry Shefflin. Kay began her playing career with Dublin at the age of 14, winning her first All Ireland medal in 1942 and her last in 1961. She captained the side in 1959.
She was a player noted for her athleticism, fantastic skill level and was a superb ambassador for camogie. In addition to her All Ireland medals, she won twenty Leinster Championships, 6 Dublin senior County Championships and 4 Inter-provincial medals. She was an automatic choice on the Camogie Team of the Century chosen in 2004 and was inducted into the Cuchulainn Hall of Fame. She was also an accomplished soccer player, gymnast and table tennis player.
Her medal collection is currently on display in the GAA Museum Croke Park while in 2011 a plaque was unveiled at her place of residence, 1 Abercorn Terrace, following a joint initiative of the Inchicore/Kilmainham Heritage Committee, Dublin City Council and the Camogie Association.
The Camogie Association and Dublin Camogie Board, with the permission of George Hill, husband of the late Kay, request all involved in camogie to support the proposal to name the new bridge in her honour, an appropriate tribute to this iconic Dublin sports woman.
Follow the campaign on Kay Mills for the Bridge on facebook at www.facebook.com/kaymillsforthebridge
ENDS
Notes to the editors:
•For further information regarding the above campaign please contact directly the following: Liz Howard: Phone: (087) 223 1460 Email: Liz.howard.camogie@gaa.ie and Phyllis Breslin: Phone: (086) 826 3822 Email: Phyllisbreslin2508@gmail.com
•The new bridge, under the auspices of Dublin City Council, is being built downstream of O’Connell Bridge and will provide a north/south link from Abbey St onto Pearse St. The cost of the bridge is being covered by the National Transport Authority through funding provided by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
•Pictured: Kay Mills (on the left) holds the O’Duffy Cup while Betty Hughes is congratulated after the game.
