‘Positive’ update on renaming of Cork city centre street

A Cork TD has said the updated timeline, which will see Anglesea St renamed in honour of the MacSwiney family, is “positive”.

In response to a parliamentary question raised by Sinn Féin Cork North Central TD Thomas Gould seeking clarification on legislative amendments to allow for the renaming of streets, the heritage minister James Browne said deliberations will take place over the next six to nine months.

Mr Browne said: “It is expected that a resolution to the legislative complexities that exist between the Local Government Acts and Official Languages Act may require primary legislation to resolve.

“The matter will be considered further by my department in consultation with the relevant officials from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.

“My department will be prioritising work around the recently-established local democracy task force and supporting its operation in the months ahead, with a view to that task force concluding its deliberations within the next six to nine months.”

Mr Gould said the renaming of Anglesea St to honour the former Sinn Féin Lord Mayor of Cork, Terence MacSwiney, who served in this position during the Irish War of Independence in 1920, and his family, has “dragged on for far too long”.

“It shouldn’t take this much pressure to enact a simple change to legislation,” said Mr Gould.

“It is positive that we now have a timeline.

“We know when this will happen and the legacy of the MacSwiney family who sacrificed so much for our city and island will be honoured.

“I look forward to the day we see the name revealed.”

Sinn Féin councillor for the Cork City North West ward, Kenneth Collins, said that the renaming of the street will be “a positive, historic day for our city and I look forward to it”.