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Logainmneacha
“Place Names”
In earlier centuries, the lore of places was an essential part of Ireland’s education – called the the
Dinnseanchas. Today it is worth paying attention to Irelands placenames as a clue to this ancient
purposeful naming of places.
A play written by Brian Friel, an Irish Playwright, explored the history of place names in Ireland and
the psychological consequences of a loss of connection with the landscape. When a survey of Irelands’
landscape ( The Down Survey – so called because it was written down) was carried out by William Petty
in the years 1655-56, names were given to places in Ireland according to the approximate sound of the
original Irish names themselves. Thus there are great differences between Place names in the English
language and the Irish originals. Look to the original names to find a clue to local archaeological or
geographical features. The Irish word for river is abhainn; thus you will come across many rivers in
Ireland called Owen – it sounds like the Irish word abhainn of course!
In 2005 the Irish Minister for Gaeltacht regions decreed that
all road signs in Gaeltacht regions would be in Irish only.
Www.logainm.ie is a fabulous online resource funded by the Irish Government,
where you can view the original Irish name for any place in Ireland and learn a little about the meaning.
Placenames are an important starting point when we wish to learn more about a place it’s history and
geography. Some names speak to us of Ireland’s ancient past kings, saints and heroes.
Other names bear a curiously exotic sound. It will definitely add a depth to ones adventures in Ireland to
bear in mind the story of the name.
Why not ask a local, sometimes there has been a change of town’s official name in recent memory.
There is often a lot more to be learned!
Kinsale at Sunset © Andrej Tornoczi
26
“Place Names”
In earlier centuries, the lore of places was an essential part of Ireland’s education – called the the
Dinnseanchas. Today it is worth paying attention to Irelands placenames as a clue to this ancient
purposeful naming of places.
A play written by Brian Friel, an Irish Playwright, explored the history of place names in Ireland and
the psychological consequences of a loss of connection with the landscape. When a survey of Irelands’
landscape ( The Down Survey – so called because it was written down) was carried out by William Petty
in the years 1655-56, names were given to places in Ireland according to the approximate sound of the
original Irish names themselves. Thus there are great differences between Place names in the English
language and the Irish originals. Look to the original names to find a clue to local archaeological or
geographical features. The Irish word for river is abhainn; thus you will come across many rivers in
Ireland called Owen – it sounds like the Irish word abhainn of course!
In 2005 the Irish Minister for Gaeltacht regions decreed that
all road signs in Gaeltacht regions would be in Irish only.
Www.logainm.ie is a fabulous online resource funded by the Irish Government,
where you can view the original Irish name for any place in Ireland and learn a little about the meaning.
Placenames are an important starting point when we wish to learn more about a place it’s history and
geography. Some names speak to us of Ireland’s ancient past kings, saints and heroes.
Other names bear a curiously exotic sound. It will definitely add a depth to ones adventures in Ireland to
bear in mind the story of the name.
Why not ask a local, sometimes there has been a change of town’s official name in recent memory.
There is often a lot more to be learned!
Kinsale at Sunset © Andrej Tornoczi
26
