Residents may vote on old street names
February 1981
If you continue to call Thomas Ashe Street in Wexford by the old name of Anne Street, of that that matter if you still insist that Oliver Plunkett Street is actually George’s Street, then you’re probably a very law abiding person.
It has now transpired that the change in street names in Wexford in the 1920s was not done according to the letter of the law. So many of the old names still apply legally.
So, for example, if you continue to have an affection for William Street and nto the new name of James Connolly Street, your romantic attachment might be considered legally correct. You’re legally entitled to call it William Street even though the nameplate says differently.
The same applies for Charlotte Street (which was changed to Colbert Street in the 1920s), King Street (Partridge Street), Wellington Place (O’Rahilly Place), Monck Street (McDonagh Street), Barrack Street (Macken Street), Talbot Street (Pearse Street), Henrietta Street (O’Hanrahan Street), Hill Street (Sean McDermott Street), Duke Street (Thomas Clarke Street), Waterloo Road (McCurtain Road), Common Quay Street (O’Hanlon Walsh Street), and High Street (which was changed to McSweeney Street).
The only street names which were changed legally – and this was done in 1932 – were Back Street to Mallin Street, Castle Hill Street to Kevin Barry Street, Ram Street to Skeffington Street and Gibson Street to Peter Street.
A decision will now have to be taken on whether the town favours the old names or the new ones, and depending on the decision made, the new name plates will remain or the old ones will replace them.
It might be added that this news makes matters even more confusing than the situation which now exists, with townspeople continuing to call streets by different names to those on the nameplates.
Action to clear up the irregularity is being taken, however, and at their next meeting, members of Wexford Corporation will be asked to formally pass a resolution that a vote be taken to ascertain whether votes of residents of streets affected should be taken. If votes are taken, it is likely that majorities of four-sevenths will be necessary to effect change.