A road named after the Overend sisters, who bequeathed an urban farm to the people of Dublin, was officially opened yesterday in Dundrum.
Overend Way was opened by Councillor Pat Hand (Fine Gael), cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
Formerly called the Wychkam Way extension, the road runs from Sandyford Road to Upper Kilmacud Road, parallel to Airfield Estate, the former home of Letitia and Naomi Overend.
The sisters had enlarged the estate during their lifetimes. They constantly bought up any land for sale in the locality and increased the acreage from the original eight their father had purchased.
In 1993, on the death of Naomi Overend, the land moved into the hands of a trust with instructions that it should be kept for the people of Dublin.
It is now run as an urban farm and educational centre.
An ecumenical blessing was conducted at the opening by Rev Donal O'Doherty of Holy Cross parish, Rev Bernie Daly from Taney Church of Ireland parish and Rev Alan Wardlow of the Dundrum Methodist Church.
Councillor Jim O'Leary, who tabled a motion which led to the naming of the road, said that there was something appropriate in naming a road after the sisters, given that they were both keen motoring enthusiasts.
"They both enjoyed vintage car rallying and socialising at the Royal Irish Automobile Club," he said.
"Both were also members of the Irish Veteran and Vintage Car Club and frequently entered Irish rallies."
He said that the people of Dundrum hold the Overend sisters in the highest regard and are very grateful for the legacy bequeathed to the area through the Airfield Trust.
