The final choice will be decided by the public.

Cork’s Anglesea Street is set to get a fresh new name and the City Council will be asking the people of Cork to choose it from a list compiled through public consultation.

Back in October, Sinn Féin councillors Kenneth Collins and Henry Cremin put a proposal before Cork City Council, asking if the street, which is home to the Anglesea Street Garda Station, Cork City Fire Brigade, Cork Courthouse and the main entrance to Cork City Hall, after former Lord Mayor Terence MacSwiney to mark the centenary of his death in 1920.

The idea of a name change for the busy thoroughfare has raised a number of questions and suggestions on Twitter, where the majority so far, according to a Yay Cork poll, would prefer the name to remain as it is.

Anglesea Street is about to get a new name. Do you agree with the re-naming of #Cork streets?

— Yay Cork (@yaycork) March 10, 2020

One Twitter commenter suggested naming the street after writer Frank O’Connor, with others pointing out that female figures from the War of Independence, artists, scientists and sportspeople are underrepresented in our city street names.

Where does the original name come from?

According to local historian Kieran McCarthy, the street was originally named in honour of Henry Paget, First Marguess of Anglesey.

Wonderfully entertaining history. Eloped with Wellington’s sister-in-law. Wellington would barely speak to him until he lost a leg right next to Wellington at Waterloo.

“By God, I’ve lost my leg!”
“By God, you have, sir!”https://t.co/fP6Dnu3ZNi

— Tim O’Connor (@timoconnorbl) March 9, 2020

Members of the public have expressed concerns that renaming the street could cause confusion among tourists seeking the Anglesea Street Garda Station.

Do you agree with the renaming of Cork streets? Let us know in the comments below…