Her suggestion at last month’s Borough Council meeting that the Council install a “rainbow crossing” at the Tholsel to mark Drogheda Pride Festival may have been unceremoniously shot down by officials, but Councillor Joanna Byrne is nothing if not persistent.
Refusing to take “no” as an answer, Councillor Byrne persisted with her request and has now secured a commitment from Louth County Council that they will ‘seek to install such a crossing in the town’ albeit not on a main road as originally requested.
At Monday’s Municipal District meeting the Sinn Féin Councillor followed up on her motion from last month.
She told the meeting that she had written to Galway City Council, Limerick City Council, Wexford County Council, Wicklow County Council and Dublin City Council and also the Department of Transport who have funded Rainbow Crossings in some of these locations.
Councillor Byrne confirmed that these crossings are not ‘in breach of any guidelines’ as the Louth County Council officials had believed.
Realising that the Council were still not keen on siting a rainbow crossing at the Tholsel crossroads, Councillor Byrne asked them to consider Millmount as traditionally Pride is opened there each year with a flag raising ceremony and it would pose a symbolic place for it to be installed.
Director of Services Paddy Donnelly said the Council wanted to support her endeavours on this crossing in support of the LGBTQ Community and would be open to exploring venues that were not on main roads.
He gave a commitment that the Council will identify some possible locations for discussion that could potentially include St. Dominic’s Park or even Millmount as suggested by Cllr Byrne and told the meeting he would liaise with the Sinn Fein Councillor in the coming weeks.
Speaking after the meeting Councillor Byrne said she believed this will be a very positive addition to the town’s streetscape.
“Drogheda is renowned for its civic and community spirit and has always been a huge supporter of Pride” she said.
“An addition of a Rainbow Crossing in the town will further promote the fact that we are an inclusive town in which to live, work and socialise.
“I cannot wait to see this installed in Drogheda and our townspeople embrace it in true Drogheda Style.
“It will no doubt provide a fundamental focal point to this year’s Pride festival in August with the colour and vibrancy it will bring with it.”
