40th anniversary celebrations of the renaming of the Luke Kelly Bridge to take place in Ballybough this month

The 40th anniversary of the renaming of the Ballybough Bridge to the Luke Kelly Bridge will take place at the historic North Dublin landmark on May 31.

The event promises to be a vibrant tribute to the legendary musician - who grew up in the nearby North Strand/Sheriff Street area -  his legacy,  and the bridge’s historical and cultural significance.

The celebrations - organised in association with Dublin City Council - will include live music performances by renowned Luke Kelly Tribute Chris Kavanagh & Niamh Kelly (Luke’s niece) 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.

Renamed officially in 1985, the Luke Kelly Bridge spans the Tolka River, linking Fairview with the city.

The original opening ceremony in was attended by figures such as Taoiseach Charles Haughey, The Dubliners, Bertie Ahern, Nial Ring, Michael D. Higgins, Deirdre O’Connell, singer Christy Moore, and presided over by the then-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 said to have influenced Bram Stoker’s 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.

The 40th anniversary celebrations will begin at 11:30am sharp on Saturday, May 31.