Lough Ennell road at Hope's Point named Bóithrín na mBan

The road from Butler’s Bridge to Hope’s Point on Lough Ennell was officially declared Bóithrín na mBan, The Women’s Road, by an cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Aoife Davitt, on Sunday last – International Women’s Day.

Cllr Davitt, with the help of Matt Nolan, accomplished gaeilgóir and renowned photographer, planted an oak tree to mark the occasion. Speaking at the opening, she said it was all Matt’s idea to name this road after “the women that have gone before us and those who will follow”.

She spoke of the importance of placenames and the often significant difference between the meaningfulness of their Irish names and “the English names they were turned into”.

Cllr Davitt said that as war rages in many parts of the world, “may this be a haven of rest and tranquillity for people in our community”.

“We are thinking of women around the world today and those to come,” she added.

She thanked Matt for coming up with the idea and Mary Goldsberry, district manager, Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad, for organising the event.

Matt remarked that it was significant that International Women’s Day was being marked by the first ever female cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council in almost 13 decades. “It took 127 years and Aoife did it in style!” he declared.

He went on to say that Bóithrín na mBan was a place where people could escape from everyday life, where their minds and heads could stretch and relax, at least for a few months.

Matt also pointed out that naming this road Bóithrín na mBan was a great boost to all those who have been involved for years in the promotion of the Irish language in Mullingar and Westmeath.