Opinions divided on naming of library in Limerick

A CALL has been made to name the new city library after Donogh O’Malley, the local TD who brought free secondary education to Ireland.

Members in the Adare-Rathkeale district sought to have the new facility in Opera Square named after the late education minister.

The library will form the centre-piece of the Opera Square project, construction of which is currently taking place in the city.

It’s expected to open later this decade.

But there was a split between urban and rural councillors over whether the library should be named by members or after a consultation with members of the public, an option favoured by metropolitan councillors.

Veteran Fianna Fail councillor Kevin Sheahan, one of the councillors who proposed the motion, saluted Mr O’Malley, who died in 1968, for his “courage, foresight and patriotic move” to bring in universal education.

“A lot of families could not afford to send their children. We were preparing our young people for the boat when they were 16 or 17. I know whole families who emigrated because there was no work locally and they had no money for secondary education,” he said.

His party colleague, northside councillor Kieran O’Hanlon said: “He was a brave and tough man”.

“But I think anytime we are calling for something like this, we have to consult with the public. We can’t decide here in a bubble of our own.”

Councillor Daniel Butler, Fine Gael, agreed with the call for public consultation.

“Call a spade a spade though - we are dominated by streets and buildings named after men, with very few named after women. If anything, we need to consider the female name as part of the process,” he said.

However, councillor John Egan, who also sits on the Fine Gael benches, said there is no need to publicly consult. It was a view backed by councillors Stephen Keary, Tom Ruddle, Eddie Ryan, Bridie Collins and Brigid Teefy, who said: “Free education was the best move ever. It gave everyone equal opportunities.”

Councillor Conor Sheehan, Labour, said: “The library is a public, civic space. The idea the general public should have no say, I don't think is a good idea”.

It was a view backed up by Social Democrats councillor Elisa O’Donovan.

Council librarian Damien Brady said when the new library is complete, a decision on its naming will be considered by a special committee before councillors rubber-stamp it.