Strabane bridge officially named in honour of the late Cllr Ivan Barr
11 May 2026
The landmark pedestrian footbridge in Strabane has been officially named the Ivan Barr Bridge during a commemorative ceremony held today, 09 May. The naming serves as a permanent tribute to the late Councillor Ivan Barr, a tireless advocate for the town and its people.
The event, held on the anniversary of Mr. Barr’s passing in 2008, saw the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Cllr Ruairí McHugh, unveil a formal plaque at the site. The ceremony was followed by a reception for the Barr family and invited guests at the Council Offices on Derry Road.
First elected to the Strabane District Council in 1985, Ivan Barr was a prominent Sinn Féin representative known for his unwavering commitment to social justice. A dedicated socialist and republican, he previously served as the Chair of the Civil Rights Association and was widely regarded as a champion for the marginalised.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Ruairí McHugh said: "It is a huge honour to formally name this bridge after Ivan Barr. Ivan was a true community representative whose life was defined by his dedication to a better future for the people of Strabane. He was a man of immense integrity, a socialist, a republican, and a tireless advocate for equality and justice.
“This bridge does more than connect two sides of our town, it now stands as a fitting tribute to a man who spent his life building bridges within our community and fighting for the rights of every citizen. It is poignant that we gather here on the anniversary of his passing to ensure his legacy continues to be part of the landscape he loved so dearly."
Ivan Barr, who passed away in 2008 at the age of 70, is remembered not only as a political figure but as a devoted family man.