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DA 

J4>S 


IRISH 

LOCAL    NAMES 


EXPLAINED, 


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BY 


OYCE,  LL.D.,  M.R.I.A. 


Cpiallam  cimceall  na  pobla 


DUBLIN 
M.     H.     GILL    AND     SON 

LONDON :   WHITTAKER  &  CO.,  SIMPKIN,  MARSHALL  &  CO. 
EDINBURGH  :  JOHN  MENZIES  &  CO. 

1902. 


q  zo 

WORKS   BY   P.  W.   JOYCE,  LL.D. 

I*  A  Child's  History  of  Ireland  (down  to  the  Death  of 
O'Connell),  with  specially  drawn  Map  and  i6i  Illus- 
trations, including  a  Facsimile  in  full  colours  of  a 
beautiful  Illuminated  Pageof  tlieliook  of  MacDurnan, 
A.u.  850.  Sanctioned  by  the  Commissioners  of  National 
Education,  Ireland,  as  a  Reader  in  their  Schools ;  and 
by  the  London  School  Board  for  Scholars'  Lending 
Libraries  and  for  attendance  prizes.     3*.  6d. 

a.  A  Short  History  of  Ireland,  down  to  1608.  Second 
Kdition.     10^.  6ii. 

3.  Outlines  of  the  History  of  Ireland,  down  to  1900. 
Fifth  Edition,    gd, 

4.  Old  Celtic  Romances.  Twelve  of  the  most  beautiful'of 
the  Ancient  Irish  Romantic  Tales  translated  from  the 
(laelic.    Third  Edition.     3s.  td. 

5.  The  Origin  and  History  of  Irish  Names  of  Places. 
Seventh  Edition.     In  two  vols.     Each  5^^. 

6.  A  Handbook  of  School  Manai^ement  and  Methods  of 
leaching.     Eighteenth  Edition  (85th  thousand).   35.  dd. 

J.  A  Reading  Book  in  Irish  History.  Second  Edition. 
IS  6d. 


LONGMANS,     GREEN,     AND     CO. 

LONDON,   NKW   YORK,    AND   BOMBAY. 

M.  H.  GILL  AND  SON,  DUBLIN. 

8.  A  Concise  History  of  Ireland,  down  to  1837.     Fifth 

Edition.    2S. 

9.  Ancient  Irish  Music,  containing  One  Hundred  Airs 

never  before  published,  and  a  number  of  Popular  Songs. 
Cloth,  3^.;   Wrapper,  1^.  6rf. 

10.  Irish  Local  Names  Explained,     is. 

11.  A  Grammar  of  the  Irish  Language,     i^. 

12.  English  Composition  for  the  Use  of  Schools.  Seventh 

Edition.     6d. 

13.  Handicraft  for  Handy  People.    2^. 


M.  H.  GILL  AND  SON,  DUBLIN. 

[Numbers  i,  S,  6,  7,  10,  11,  and  12  sanctioned  by  the  Com- 
missioners of  National  Education,  Ireland,  for  sale  in 
their  schools.] 


PEEFACE. 


.'  HAVE  condensed  into  this  little  Tolume  a  consi- 
lerable  part  of  the  local  etymologies  contained 
n  "  The  Origin  and  History  of  Irish  Xames  of 
Places."  I  have  generally  selected  those  names 
that  are  best  known  through  the  country,  and  I 
have  thought  it  better  to  arrange  them  in  alpha- 
betical order. 

The  book  has  been  written  in  the  hope  that  it 
may  prove  useful,  and  perhaps  not  uninteresting, 
to  those  who  are  anxious  for  information  on  the 
subject,  but  who  have  not  the  opportunity  of 
perusing  the  larger  volume. 

Soon  after  the  appearance  of  "The  Origin  and 
History  of  Irish  Names  of  Places,"  I  received 
from  correspondents  in  various  parts  of  Ireland 
commimications  more  or  less  valuable  on  the  topo- 
graphy, legends,  or  antiquities  of  their  respective 
localities.  I  take  this  opportunity  of  soliciting 
further  information  from  those  who  are  able  to 
give  it,  and  who  are  aimous  to  assist  in  the 
advancement  of  Irish  literature. 


IRISH  LOCAL  NAMES  EXPLAINED. 


THE  PROCESS  OF  ANGLICISING. 

1.  Ststemattc  Chajtges. 

Irish  pronunciatt'on  preserved. — In  anglicising  Irish 
names,  the  leading  general  rule  is,  that  the  present 
forms  are  derived  from  the  ancient  Irish,  as  they  were 
spoken,  not  as  they  were  written.  Those  who  first 
committed  them  to  writing,  aimed  at  preserving  the 
original  pronunciation,  hy  representing  it  as  nearly  as 
they  were  able  in  English  letters. 

Generally  speaking,  this  principle  explains  the  altera- 
tions that  were  made  in  the  spelling  of  names,  in  the 
process  of  reducing  them  from  ancient  to  modem  forms; 
and  allowing  for  the  difficulty  of  representing  Irish 
words  by  English  letters,  it  will  be  found  that,  on  the 
whole,  the  ancient  pronunciation  is  fairly  preserved- 

Aspiration. — The  most  common  causes  of  change  in 
the  reduction  of  Irish  names,  are  aspiration  and  eclipsis. 
Some  of  the  Irish  consonants  are,  in  certain  situations, 
Bubject  to  what  is  called  aspiration  ;  it  is  indicated  by 
the  letter  A,  and  it  always  changes  the  sonnd  of  tho 
consonants. 

B  and  m  aspirated  {hh,  mK)  are  both  sounded  like  • 
»r  to,  and,  consequently,  where  we  find  hh  or  mh  in  an 
Irish  name,  we  generally  have  r  or  tr  in  the  English 
form :  examples,  Ardvally  in  Donegal  and  Sligo,  in 
Inih.  Ard-hhaile,  high  town;  BallinwuUy  in  Roscom- 
mon, Baile  an-tnhullaigh,  the  town  of  the  summit 
• 


2  Irish  Local  Names  explained. 

(muUach).  Sometimes  they  are  represented  by  /  in 
English,  as  in  BoherdufF,  Bothar-dabh,  black  road  :  and 
often  they  are  suppi'essed,  especially  in  the  end  of 
worda,  or  between  two  vowels,  as  in  Knockdoo,  Cnoc- 
duhh,  black  hill,  the  same  as  Knockduff  in  other  places. 

For  c  aspirated  see  page  4. 

D  and  g  aspirated  (dh,  gh),  have  a  faint  guttural 
sound,  not  existing  in  English,  and  they  are  conse- 
quently generally  unrepresented  in  anglicised  names ; 
as  in  Lisnalee,  Lios-na-laegh,  the  fort  of  the  calves. 

-F  aspirated  (Jh)  totally  loses  its  sound  in  Irish,  and 
of  course  is  omitted  in  English ;  as  in  Knockanree  in 
"Wicklow,  Cnoc-an-jhraeigh,  the  hill  of  the  heath. 

P  aspirated  is  represented  by  /;  as  in  Ballinfojde, 
Baile-an-phoill,  the  town  of  the  hole,  the  same  as  Bal- 
linphuill  and  Ballinphull  elsewhere. 

S  and  t  aspirated  (sA,  th)  both  sound  the  same  as 
English  h;  as  in  Drumhillagh  in  Cavan  and  Monaghan, 
Druim-shaileach,  the  ridge  of  the  sallows,  the  same 
name  as  Drumsillagh  in  other  counties,  in  which  the 
original  s  sound  is  retained. 

Eclipsis. — An  eclipsed  consonant  has  its  sound  alto- 
gether suppressed,  the  sound  of  another  consonant  which 
is  prefixed,  being  heard  instead.  Thus  when  d  h 
eclipsed  by  w,  it  is  written  n-A^  but  the  n  alone  ia 
pronounced.  The  eclipsed  letter  is  of  course  alwa5'a 
omitted  in  English. 

When  a  noun  is  used  in  the  genitive  plural,  with  the 
article  prefixed,  its  initial  consonant  is  eclipsed.  Each 
consonant  has  a  special  eclipsing  letter  of  its  own. 

B  is  eclipsed  by  m;  Knocknamoe,  the  name  of  a 
place  in  Queen's  County,  represents  the  Irish  Cmc-na- 
mho,  the  hill  of  the  cows. 

C  is  eclipsed  by  g  ;  as  in  Cloonnagashel  near  Ballin- 
robe,  which  ought  to  have  been  anglicised  Coolnagashel, 
for  the  Four  Masters  write  the  name  Cuil-na-gcaiseal, 
the  corner  of  the  cashels  or  stone  forts. 

B  and  g  are  both  eclipsed  by  n  ;  as  in  Mullananallog 
in  Monaghan,  Mallach-na-ndealg,  the  summit  of  the 
thorns  or  thorn  bushes. 

i^is  eclipsed  by  bh,  which  is  represented  by  r  io 


Irish  Local  Barnes  explained,  3 

English ;  as  in  Carriguavar  in  Cork,  which  is  in  Irish 
Carraig-na-hhfear,  the  rock  of  the  men. 

P  is  eclipsed  by  b ;  as  in  Gortnaboul  in  Kerry  and 
Clare,  Gort-na-hpoH,  the  field  of  the  holes. 

S  is  eclipsed  by  t,  in  the  genitive  singular  with  the 
article;  as  in  Ballintaggart,  Baile-an  tsagairt,  the  town 
of  the  priest. 

T  is  eclipsed  by  d;  as  in  Lisnadurk  in  Fermanagh 
Zios-na-dtorc,  the  fort  of  the  boars. 

2.    COKKUPTIOXS. 

While  the  majority  of  names  hare  been  modernized 
in  accordance  with  the  principle  of  preserving  the  pro- 
nunciation, great  numbers  on  the  other  hand  have  been 
contracted  and  corrupted  in  a  variety  of  ways.  Some 
of  these  corruptions  took  place  in  the  Irish  language ; 
but  far  the  greatest  number  were  introduced  by  the 
English-speaking  people  in  transferring  the  words  from 
the  Irish  to  the  English  language.  The  following  are 
some  of  the  principal  corruptions. 

Interchange  of  1,  m,  n,  r.  The  interchange  of  these 
letters  is  common  in  Irish  and  English,  as  well  as  in 
other  languages.  "We  find  I  very  often  substituted  for 
r;  as  in  Shrule,  Shruel,  Stniell,  Sroohill,  in  all  of  which 
the  final  consonant  sound  should  be  that  of  r,  for  they 
are  derived  from  Sruthair  [sruher],  a  stream. 

N  is  sometimes,  but  not  often,  changed  to  /,  as  in 
Castleconnell  near  Limerick,  which  is  the  castle  of  the 
0"Connings,  not  of  the  0' Councils,  as  the  present  fornj 
of  the  name  would  indicate. 

The  change  of  n  to  r  is  of  frequent  occurrence,  as  in 
Kilmacrenan  in  Donegal,  which  should  have  been  called 
Kilmacnenan,  for  the  Irish  authorities  write  it  Cill-7nac- 
nEnain,  which  Colgan  translates  the  church  of  the  sons 
of  Enan,  who  were  contemporaries  and  relatives  of  St. 
Columba. 

The  change  oilio  r  is  not  very  common,  but  we  find 
it  in  Ballysakeery  in  ilayo,  which  is  written  by  Mac- 
Firbis,  Baile-easa-caoile  [Ballysakeely],  the  town  of-the 
narrow  cataract. 

b2 


4  Irish  Local  Names  explained, 

M  and  n  are  occasionally  interchanged.  For  example, 
the  barony  of  Glenquin  in  Limerick,  should  have  been 
called  Glenqnim,  for  the  Irish  is  Gleann-a'-chuim,  the 
glen  of  the  cum  or  hollow.  Kilmainham  near  Dublin  is 
called  Kilmannan  by  Boate,  which  is  more  correct  than 
the  present  form.  The  name  signifies  the  church  of  St. 
Main  en  (Irish  Maighnenn),  who  was  bishop  and  abbot 
there  in  the  seventh  century. 

Change  o/ch  and  th,  to  f.  The  guttural  sound  of « 
aspirated  {ch)  does  not  exist  in  English,  and  in  angli- 
cised names  it  is  occasionally  changed  to/;  for  example, 
Knocktopher  in  Kilkenny,  is  from  the  Irish  Cnoe-a'- 
tochair,  the  hill  of  the  togher  or  causeway.  Fis  also 
sometimes  substituted  for  <A;  thus,  Tiscoffin  in  Kilkenny 
took  its  name  from  an  old  church  called  Tigh-scoithin 
[Tee-Scoheen],  the  house  of  St.  Scoithin,  who  erected 
his  primitive  church  here  towards  the  close  of  the  sixth 
century. 

Substitution  of  g  for  i.  D  aspirated  is  often  changed 
to  g;  as  in  Drumgonnelly  in  Louth,  which  should  have 
been  anglicised  Drumdonnelly,  for  the  Irish  is  Druim- 
Dhonghaile,  the  ridge  or  long  hill  of  the  Donnellys. 

Addition  of  d  after  n ;  and  ofh  after  m.  The  letter  d 
is  often  corruptly  placed  after  n  ; — as  we  find  in  case  of 
Rathfryland  in  Down,  which  is  called  in  Irish  Rath- 
Fraeileann,  Freelan's  fort.  B  is  also  often  placed  after 
m  ;  as  in  Cumber  or  Comber,  the  names  of  several  places 
in  the  northern  counties;  the  Irish  word  is  Cotnar, 
which  signifies  the  confluence  of  two  waters,  and  it  is 
correctly  anglicised  Cummer  and  Comer  in  many  other 
names. 


Irish  Local  Names  erplained. 


IRISH  LOCAL  NAMES  EXPLAINED. 

Tlie  following  abbreriations  have  been  used  in  quoting  authorities  for  tha 
Irish  forms : — 
"  F.  M.,"  The  Annals  of  the  Four  Jfasters. 
"Book  of  R,"  The  Book  of  Richts  (Leabhar-na-gCeart). 
"  Hy  F.,"  The  Tribes  and  Customs  of  Hy  Fiachrach. 
"O'Dugan,"  Tlie  topocraphical  Poems  of  O'Dntjan  and  O'Heeren. 
"  O'C.  CaL,"  O'Clerj-'s  Calendar  of  Irish  Saints,  or,  The   Martyrology  <t 

Uoneeai 
"Wars  of  GG.,"  The  Wars  of  the  GatdhH -with,  the  Gam  (of  the  Irish  with 

the  Danes). 
"  Mart  Tam^"  The  Martyrology  of  Tallaght 

The  Irish  forms  are  tdways  in  Italics.  The  Irish  root  words  are  fally  ex- 
plained in  the  Vocabulary  at  the  end  of  the  boo^ 

The  pronunciation  of  the  princip.il  Irish  words  Is  given  in  bracXeta,  as 
nearly  as  can  be  represented  by  English  lettersL 


Abbeyfeale  in  Limerick  ;  Mainistir-na-FeiU,  the  monas- 
tery or  abbey  of  the  river  Feale. 

Abbey  go  rmican  in  Galway ;  the  abbey  of  the  O'Cor- 
maeans. 

Abbeylara  or  Lara  in  Longford;  Leath-rath,  F.  M. 
[Lah-rah],  half  rath  or  fort. 

Abbeyleix  ;  the  abbey  of  the  old  principality  of  Leix, 
BO  called  from  a  monastery  founded  there  in  11 83  by 
Conor  O'Moore.  In  the  reign  of  Felimy  the  Law- 
giver (A.  D.  Ill  to  119),  this  territory  was  given  by 
the  king  of  Leinster  to  Lughaidh  Laeighseach  [Lewy 
Leeshagh],  Conall  Camach's  grandson,  for  helping 
to  expel  the  Munstermen  who  had  seized  on  Ossory. 
Lewy's  descendants,  the  O'Moores,  took  from  him 
the  tribe  name,  Laeighis  [Leesh],  and  their  territory 
was  called  by  the  same  name,  now  modernized  to 
Leix. 

Abbeyshrule  in  Longford ;  from  a  monastery  founded 
there  by  one  of  the  O'Farrells.  It  was  anciently 
called  Sruthair  [Sruher],  F.  M.,  i.  e.  the  stream,  of 
which  Shrule  is  a  corruption. 

Abbeystrowry  in  Cork;  the  same  name  as  the  last. 
The  iruthair  or  stream  from  which  it  was  called, 
gave  name  also  to  Bealnashrura  (the  heal  or  ford- 
mouth  of  th<»  *tream)  a  village  situated  at  au  aoci^nl 


6  Irish  Local  Karnes  explained. 

Achonry  in  SHgo,  AcJiadh- CJionaire  [Aha-Conary], 
F.  M.,  Conary's  field. 

Adare  in  Limerick;  Ath-dara  [Ah-dara],  F.  M.,  the 
ford  of  the  oak  tree.  A  large  oak  must  have  an- 
ciently overshadowed  the  old  ford  on  the  Maigue. 

Addergoole,  Addragool,  Adrigole,  Adrigoole;  Eadar- 
dha-ghabhal  [Adragoul],  i.  e.  (a  place)  between  two 
(river)  forks. 

Aderrig ;  Ath-dearg,  red  ford.     See  Aghaderg. 

Affane  on  the  Blackwater  below  Cappoquin;  Ath- 
mheadhon,  [Ah-vane],  F.  M.,  middle  ford. 

Agha  in  several  counties  ;  Achadh  [Aha],  a  field. 

Aghaboe  in  Queen's  County,  whei-e  St.  Canice  of  Kil- 
kenny had  his  principal  church.  Adaranan  in  his 
Life  of  St.  Columkille,  written  in  the  seventh  cen- 
tury, has  the  following  passage,  which  settles  the 
meaning: — "  St.  Canice  being  in  the  monastery 
which  is  called  in  Latin  Campulus  lovis  (i.  e.  the 
field  of  the  cow),  but  in  Irish  Ached-hou." 

Aghaboy  ;  Achadh-huidhe  [Aha-boy],  yellow  field. 

Aghacross  near  Kildorrery  in  Cork ;  the  ford  of  the 
cross ;  probably  from  a  cross  erected  in  connexion 
•with  St.  Molaga's  adjacent  establishment,  to  mark  a 
ford  on  the  Funcheon.    See  Templemolaga. 

Aghada  near  Cork  ;  Ath-fhada  [Ahada],  long  ford. 

Aghaderg  ;  Ath-dearg,  red  ford.     See  Aderrig. 

Aghadoe  near  Killarney;  Achadh-da-e6  [Aha  daw-o], 
F.  M.,  the  field  of  the  two  yew  trees. 

Aghadowey  in  Derry  ;  Achadh- Luhhthaigh  [AhadafFj-], 
O'C.  Cal.,  iJuffy's  field. 

Aghadown  and  Aghadoon ;  the  field  of  the  dun  or  fort 

Aghadreen,  Aghadreenagh,  Aghadreenan,  Aghadrinagh; 
the  field  of  the  dreens  or  sloe  bushes  (draetghean). 

Aghafad,  Aghafadda  ;  long  field. 

Aghagallon  ;  the  field  of  the  gallan  or  standing  stone. 

Aghagower  in  Mayo  ;  the  correct  name  would  be  Agha- 
fower,  for  the  ancient  form,  as  found  in  the  old 
Lives  of  St.  Patrick,  is  Achadh-fohhair,  the  field  of 
the  ppring,  from  a  celebrated  well,  now  called  St. 
Patrick's  well.  The  present  form  is  written  in  Hy  F., 
4ch(idh-ffalhair,  which  mmw  the  field  of  the  goat. 


Irish  Local  Names  explained.  7 

Aghamore;  Achadh-mor,  great  field. 

Aghanloo  ;  Athan- Liigha ,  Lugh's  or  Lcwy's  little  ford. 

Aghavca   in    Fermanagh ;    Achadh-leithe   [Ahabehyj, 

F.  M.,  the  field  of  the  birch  trees. 
Aghaveagh  in  Donegal  and  Tyrone ;  same  as  last. 
Aghavilla,    Aghaville,   Aghavilly;    Achadh-lhile,    the 

field  of  the  hile  or  old  tree. 
Aghaviller  in  Kilkenny ;  Achadh-liorair  [Ahabirrer], 

F.  M.,  the  field  of  the  watercresses  (r  changed  to  t). 
Aghindarragh  in  Tyrone  ;  the  field  of  the  oak. 
Aghintamy  near  iJonaghan  ;  Achadh- an-tsatnhaidh,  the 

field  of  the  sorrel. 
Aghmaeart  in  Queen's  County ;  the  field  of  Art's  son. 
Aghnamullen  in  Monaghan ;  the  field  of  the  mills. 
Aghnaskea,    Aghnaskeagh,    Aghnaskew ;   Achadh-na- 

sceach,  the  field  of  the  "white-thorn  bushes. 
Aghowle  in  "Wicklow;  Achadh-abJda,  the  field  of  the 

apple  trees. 
Aglish ;  Haglais  [aglish],  a  church. 
Aglishcloghane  in  Tipperary ;    the  church  of  the  cJogh- 

aun  or  row  of  stepping  stones. 
Aglishcormick  in  Limerick ;  St.  Cormac's  church. 
Aglish di'inagh  in  Cork ;  Eaglais-draeighneach,  the  church 

of  the  dreens  or  sloe  bushes. 
Agolagh  in  Antrim;  Atk-gohklach,  forked  ford. 
Ahane,  Ahaun;  Athdn,  little  ford. 
Ahaphuca  ;  the  ford  of  the  poolca  or  spright. 
Ahascragh  in  Galway ;  Ath-eascrach,  F.  if.,  the  ford  of 

the  esker  or  sand-hill. 
Aille  ;  Aill,  a  cHff*. 
AUeen ;  Aillm,  a  little  cliff. 
Alt ;  Alt,  a  height,  the  side  of  a  glen. 
Altan ;  little  cliff  or  glen  side. 
Altaturk ;  the  glen  side  of  the  boar  {tore). 
Altavilla ;  the  glen  side  of  the  hile  or  old  tree. 
Altinure;  Alt-an-iuhhair  [yure],  the  glen  side  of  the 

yew  tree. 
Altnaveagh  and  Altnaveigh;  Alt-na-lTiJiach,  the  cliff  or 

glen  side  of  the  fiachs  or  ravens. 
Anna ;  same  as  Annagh,  which  see. 


8  Irish  Local  Names  exjjMned. 

Annahella  near  Mallow ;  Eanach-liU,  the  marsh  of  the 

hiU  or  old  tree. 
Annaclone  ;  the  marsh  of  the  meadow  {cluain). 
Annaeotty  near  Limerick;  AtA-na-coite,  the  ford  of  the 

cot  or  little  boat. 
Annacraraph    in    Armagh    and    Monaghan ;    Eanach- 

creamlia,  the  marsh  of  the  wild  garlick, 
AnnadufF;  Eanach-duhh,  F.  M.,  black  marsh. 
Annagh ;  Eanach,  a  marsh. 
Annaghaskin  in  Dublin,  near  Bray;  Eanach- easgann, 

tlie  marsh  of  the  eels. 
Annaghbeg,  Annaghmore  ;  little  marsh,  great  marsh. 
Annahagh,  Annahaia  in  Monaghan  and  Armagh;  Ath' 

na-haithe,  the  ford  of  the  kiln  [atth). 
Annahavil ;  Eanach- ahkailly  the  marsh  of  the  orchard 

{abhall). 
Annahilt  in  Down ;  Eanach-eilte,  the  marsh  of  the  doe 

{eilit). 
Annakisha ;  the  ford  of  the  hish  or  wickerwork  cause 

way. 
Annalong  in  Down  ;  Ath-na-lo7ig ,  the  ford  of  the  ships 

(Jong) :  the  ford  was  near  the  place  where  vessels  used 

to  be  moored  or  anchored. 
Annamoe  in  Wicklow ;   Ath-na-mho,  the  ford  of  the 

cows  (bo). 
Anny  ;  same  as  Annagh,  which  see. 
Arboe  in  Tyrone  ;  Ard-lo,  the  cow's  height. 
Ard;  high;  a  height. 

Ardagh;  Ard-achadh  [Ard-aha],  high  field. 
Ardaghy;  same  as  Ardagh. 
Ardan,  Ardane,  Ardaun;  little  ore?  or  height. 
Ardara  in  Donegal;  Ard-a'-raith,    the   height  of  the 

rath,  from  a  hill  near  the  village,  on  which  stands  a 

conspicuous  fort. 
Ardataggle,  Ardateggle;  .4r£?-a'-^5(5fl^a»7,  the  height  of 

the  rye  {seagal). 
Ardbane,  Ardbaun  ;  white  height. 
Ardbeg;  little  height. 
Ardbraccan  in  Meath;  St.  Brecan's  height.    St.  Brecan 

erected  a  church  here  in  the  sixth  century,  some 


Irish  Local  Names  explained.  9 

time  previous  to  his  removal  to  the  great  island  of 
Aran,  where  he  had  his  chief  establishment. 

Ardcarn  ;  the  height  of  the  cam  or  monumental  heap. 

Ardcath ;  the  height  of  the  battle  {cath). 

Ardee  in  Louth.  Old  English  form  Atherdee,  which 
represents  the  Irish  Ath-Fhirdia  [Ahirdeel,  as  it  is 
written  in  Irish  authorities,  the  ford  of  Ferdia,  a 
chieftain  who  was  slain  there  in  battle  by  Cuchullin 
in  the  first  century. 

Ardeen  in  Cork  and  Kerry;  little  height. 

Ardeevin;  Ard-aeihhinn,  beautifixl  height 

Arderin ;  the  height  of  Erin  or  Ireland. 

Ardfert  in  Kerry ;  Ard-ferta,  F.  M.,  the  height  of  the 
grave.  Sometimes  called  Ardfert- Brendan,  from  St. 
Brendan  the  navigator,  who  founded  a  monastery 
there  in  the  sixth  century. 

Ardfinnan  in  Tipperary;  the  height  of  St.  Finan,  who 
founded  a  monastery  there  in  the  seventh  century. 

Ardgeeha;  Ard-gaeithe,  height  of  the  wind. 

Ardglass;  Ard-glas,  green  height. 

Ardgoul;  Ard-galhal,  high  fork. 

Ardkeen;  Ardcaein,  beautiful  height. 

Ardkill;  high  church  or  wood  {cill  or  coill). 

Ardlougher;  Ard-luachra,  rushy  height. 

Ardmayle;  Ard-Maille,  F.M.,  ilalley's  height. 

Ardmeen ;  smooth  height 

Ardmore  in  various  counties  ;  great  height 

Ardmulchan  in  Meath ;  Ard-Maelchon^  F.  M.,  Mael 
chon's  height 

Ardnacrusha,  Ardnacrushy ;  the  height  of  the  cross. 

Ardnageeha,  Ardnageehy;  the  heiglit  of  the  wind 
{gaeth). 

Ardnanean;  the  height  of  the  birds  {en). 

Ardnapreaghaun  ;   the  height  of  the  prehauns  or  crows. 

Ardnarea  near  Ballina;  Ard-na-riaghadh  [reea],  Hy  F., 
the  hill  of  the  executions.  Four  persons  were  exe- 
cuted here  in  the  seventh  century,  lor  the  murder  of 
Kellach,  bishop  of  Kilmore-Moy. 

Ardnurcher  in  Westmeath  ;  a  corruption  of  Athnurcher, 
from  Atk-an-urchair,  F.M.,  the  ford  of  the  castor 
throw.    According  to  a  very  ancient  legend,  a  battle 


10  Irish  Local  Karnes  exjilained. 

was  fought  here  in  the  first  century,  between  the 
Connaught  and  Ulster  forces.  Keth  Mac  Magach, 
a  Connaught  chief,  threw  a  hard  round  ball  at  Conor 
mac  Kessa,  king  of  IJlster,  and  struck  him  on  the  head, 
from  the  effects  of  which  the  king  died  seven  years 
afterwards. 

Ardpatrick;  St.  Patrick's  height. 

Ardrahan ;  Ard-rathain,  the  height  of  the  ferns. 

Ardskeagh  ;  the  height  of  the  shearjhs  or  bushes. 

Ardstraw  in  Tyrone  ;  Ard-sratha  [Ard-srawha],  F.  M., 
the  height  of  (or  near)  the  river  holm. 

Ardvally  in  Donegal  and  Sligo.     See  page  1 . 

Ardvarna,  Ardvarness,  Ardvarney,  Ardvarnish ;  Ard- 
hhearna  and  Ard-lhearnas,  high  gap. 

Arless  in  Queen's  County;  Ard-Uos,  high  fort. 

Armagh;  written  in  all  Irish  authorities  Ard-Macha, 
which,  in  the  Book  of  Armagh,  is  translated  ^^^^'i^z^^o 
JiJaehce,  Macha's  height.  From  Queen  Macha  of  the 
golden  hair,  Avho  founded  the  palace  of  Emania,  300 
years  B.  C. 

Armoy  in  Antrim;  Airthir-Maighe  [Arhir-moy],  F.  M., 
eastei'n  plain. 

Artimacormack  in  Antrim;  Ard-tighe-Mic-Cormaic,  the 
height  of  Mac  Cormack's  house. 

Artrea  in  Derry;  Ard-Trea  (Mart.  Taml.),  Trea's 
height.  The  virgin  St.  Trea  flourished  in  the  fifth 
century. 

Askeaton ;  took  its  name  from  the  cataract  on  the  Deel 
near  the  town,  which  the  F.  M,  caW  Eas-Gephtine 
[Ass-Gfcftine],  Geph tine's  cataract. 

Assan,  Assaun  ;  small  ass  or  Avaterfall. 

Assaroe  at  Ballyshannon.  The  Book  of  Leinster  states 
that  Aedh-Iiuadh  [Aj'-roo],  queen  Macha's  father  (see 
Armagh),  was  drowned  in  this  cataract,  which  was 
thence  called  from  \\im  Eas-Aedha-Ruaidh  [Assayroo], 
Aedh-Iluadli's  waterfall, 

Assey  on  the  lioyne  in  Meath.  The  F.  M.  record  that 
in  A.  D.  524  "  the  battle  of  Ath-  Sithe  [Ah-Shee]  was 
gained  by  Muircheartach  {king  of  Ireland)  against  the 
Leinstermen,  where  Sithe  [Shec]  the  sou  of  Bian  was 
eJain,  from  whom  Ath-SitJie  [Sithe' s  ford'i  is  opjlcd," 


Insh  Local  Names  explained.  11 

Athenry;  Ath-7ia-riogh.  [ree],  F.  M.,  the  ford  of  the 

kings. 
Athgoe  in  Dublin  ;  the  ford  of  the  gow  or  smith. 
Athlaccain  Limerick;  from  a  ford  on  the  Morning  Star 

river,  caWa^  Athleacach,  stony  ford. 
Athleague  in  Roscommon;  Ath-liag,  L  .  M.,  the  ford  of 

the  stones. 
Athlone ;  from  the  ancient  ford  over  the  Shannon,  called 

in  Irish  authorities  Ath-Zuain,  the  ford  of  Liuin,  a 

man's  name. 
Athneasy  in  Limerick;   called  in  the  P.M.,  Ath-na- 

nDeise  [Athnaneasy],   the  ford  of  (the  tribe  of)  the 

Lesii,  who  inhabited  the  old  territory  o£  Deisbeag, 

round  Knockany. 
Athnid  in  Tipperary ;    the  ford  of  the  nead  or  bird's 

nest. 
Athnowen,  a  parish  near  Ballincollig  in  Cork ;  from  a 

ford  on  the  river  Bride,  eaRedi  Ath-'n-ziamhamn  [Ath- 

nooan],  the  ford  of  the  cave  (tiaimh),  from  the  great 

limestone  cave  at  "  The  Ovens,"  near  the  ford. 
Athy.     One    of  the  battles  between   Lewy   and  the 

Munstermen  (see  Abbeyleix),  was  fought  at  a  ford  on 

the  Barrow,  where  a  Munster  chief,  Ae,  was  slain ; 

and  from  him  the  place  was  called  ^^A-/( Wars  of 

GG),  the  ford  of  Ae. 
Attavally ;  Ait-a'-bhaile,  the  site  of  the  hallg  or  town. 
Atti  or  Atty  in  the  beginning  of  a  name,  is  the  angli- 
cised form  of  dit-tighe  [aut-tee],  the  place  or  site  of 

a  house  {ait  and  teach). 
Attidermot ;  the  site  of  Dermot's  house. 
Attiduff ;  the  site  of  the  black  house. 
Attykit;  the  site  of  Ceafs  or  Keth's  house. 
Aughall  in  Tipperary  and  Aughil  in  Derry ;  Eochaill, 

the  yew  wood  {eo  and  coill).    See  Youghal  and  OghilL 
Aughinish ;  Each-inis,  F.  M.,  the  island  of  horses. 
Aughnacloy  ;  Achadh-na-cloiche  [Ahanacloha],  the  field 

of  the  stone. 
Aughnahoy ;    Achadh-na-Uaithe,  the  field  of  the  kiln 

{aith). 
Auj:hnannre  near  Onghterard  ui  Galway ;  Achadh-m- 


12  Irish  Local  Names  explained. 

niulhar  [Ahananure],  the  field  of  the  yew   trees. 
One  of  the  old  yews  still  remains. 

Aughnish ;  same  as  Aughinish. 

Aughrim;  the  name  is  written  in  Irish  documents, 
Each-dhruim  [Agh-rim :  dh  silent],  which  Colgan 
translates  Equi-mons,  the  hill,  druim,  or  ridge,  of  the 
horse  {each). 

Aughris,  Aughrus ;  Each-ros,  F.  M.,  the  peninsula  of 
the  horses. 

Avalbane,  Avalreagh ;  white  orchard,  grey  orchard 
{ahhall). 

Avoumore,  Avonbeg ;  great  river,  little  river  {abhainn). 

Aubeg  ;  Ahh-hheag,  little  river. 

Ayle ;  same  as  Aille,  which  see. 

Bahana  ;  same  as  Behanagh,  which  see. 

Bailey  lighthouse  at  Howth  ;  from  the  old  bally  or  for 
tress  of  Criffan,  king  of  Ireland  in  the  first  century, 
on  the  site  of  which  it  was  built. 

Balbriggan  in  Dublin  ;  Baile-Breacain,  Brecan's  town. 

Baldoyle  in  Dublin;  Baile-Duhhghoill,  BuhhghaU's  or 
Doyle's  town. 

Balfeddock;  the  town  of  the  feadogs  or  plovers. 

Balgeeth  in  Meath ;  the  town  of  the  wind  (gaeth). 

Balla  in  Mayo.  In  the  Life  of  St.  Mochua,  we  are  told 
that  before  the  saint  founded  his  monastery  there  in 
the  seventh  century,  the  place  was  called  Eos-dairhh- 
reach  [Ros-dar'aragh],  i.  e.  oak  grove  ;  that  he  en- 
closed the  wells  of  his  establishment  with  a  halla  or 
wall ;  and  that  hence  the  place  received  the  new  name 
of  Balla. 

Ballagh ;  Bealach,  a  road  or  pass. 

Ballaghaderreen  in  Mayo ;  the  road  of  the  derreen  or 
little  oak  wood. 

Ballaghbehy ;  the  road  of  the  birch  (heith). 

Ballaghboy;  yellow  road  {buidhe). 

Ballaghkeen  in  Wexford;  beautiful  road  (caein), 

Ballaghkeeran ;  the  road  of  the  Iceerans  or  quicken  trees. 

Ballaghmore ;  great  road. 

Ballard  ;  Baile-ard,  high  town. 

Bailee  in  Down;   written  in  tlje  Taxation  of  1306, 


Irish  Local  Names  explained.  13 

Saliath. ;  from  the  Irish  Baile-atha,  the  town  of  the 

ford. 
Balleen ;  little  hally  or  town. 
Ballina,  the  name  of  many  places ;  Bel-an-atJia  '[Bella- 

naha],  the  mouth  of  the  ford. 
Ballinabamy ;  the  town  of  the  learna  or  gap. 
Ballinaboy  in  Cork,  Galway,  and  Roscommon ;  Bel-an- 

atha-huidhe,  the  mouth  of  the  yellow  ford. 
Ballinaclogh  ;  the  town  of  the  stones  (clock). 
Ballinacor,    Ballinacur,    Ballinacurra ;    £aik-na-corra, 

the  town  of  the  weir. 
Ballinafad ;  Bel-an-atha-fada  [Bellanafadda],  the  mouth 

of  the  long  ford. 
Ballinagar;  Belatha  na-gcarr  [Bellanagar],  the  ford- 
mouth  of  the  cars. 
Ballinahinch ;  the  town  of  the  inis  or  island. 
Ballinakill ;  the  town  of  the  church  or  wood. 
Ballinalack  in  "Westmeath ;  Bel-atha-na-leac  [Bellana- 

lack],  the  mouth  of  the  ford  of  the  flag-stones. 
Ballinalee  and  Ballinalea ;  Bel-atha-na-laegh,  the  ford- 
mouth  of  the  calves. 
Ballinamona;  Baile-na-mona,  the  town  of  the  bog. 
Ballinamore  ;  Bel-an-atha-moir,  the  mouth  of  the  great 

ford. 
Ballinamought  near  Cork;  Baile-na-mhoeht,  the  town 

of  the  poor  people  {hocht). 
Ballinard;  the  town  of  the  ard  or  height. 
Ballinascarty ;  the  town  of  the  scart  or  thicket. 
Eallinasloe  ;     Bel-atha-na-sluaigheadh    [Bellanaslooa], 

F.  M.,  the  ford-mouth  of  the  hosts  or  gatherings. 
Ballinaspick,  Ballinaspig;  BaiU-an-easpuig,  the  town 

of  the  bishop. 
Ballinastraw ;  the  town  of  the  srath  or  river-holm. 
Ballinchalla  on  Lough  Mask  in  Mayo  ;  Bailean-chala, 

the  town  of  the  callow  or  landing  place. 
Ballinclare  ;  the  town  of  the  clar  or  plain. 
Ballincloghan ;  the  same  as  Ballycloghan. 
BallincoUig  ;  Baile-an-chdlaigh,  the  town  of  the  boar. 
Ballincurra,  Ballineurrig,   Ballincurry;  Bade- an-chur- 

ratgh,  the  town  of  the  currach  or  marsh. 
Ballindeny ;  the  town  of  the  derry  or  oak  wood. 


14  Irish  Local  Ifames  explained. 

Ballindrait,  Ballindrehid ;  Baile-an-droichid,  the  town 

of  the  bridge. 
Ballineddan  inWicklow;  Baile-an-fheadain,  the  town 

of  ihefeadan  or  streamlet. 
Ballinfoyle  in  Galway  and  Wicklow;  see  page  2. 
Ballingaddy;  the  town  of  the  i\i\ei{gadaighe\  i.e.  the 

black  thief  O'Dwane. 
Ballingarrane ;  the  town  of  the  garran  or  shrubbery. 
Ballingarry ;  Baile-an-gharrdha,  the  town  of  the  garden. 
Ballinglanna,  Ballinglen  ;  the  town  of  the  glen. 
Ballingowan ;  the  town  of  the  smith  {gohha). 
Ballinlass,  Ballinlassa,  Ballinlassy,  Ballinliss;  the  town 

of  the  lios  or  fort. 
Ballinlbugh ;  the  town  of  the  lake. 
Ballinloughan,  Ballinloughaun ;  the  town  of  the  little 

lake. 
Ballinlug,  Ballinluig ;  the  town  of  the  lug  or  hollow. 
Ballinphuill,  Ballinphull ;  see  page  2. 
Ballinree ;  sometimes  Baile-an-jhraeigli,  the  town   of 

the  heath   {fraech)  ;    sometimes  Baile-an-righ,   the 

town  of  the  king. 
Ballinrobe ;  the  town  of  the  river  Kobe. 
Ballinrostig ;  Roche's  town. 
Ballinspittle ;  the  town  of  the  spital  or  hospital. 
Ballintaggart ;  see  page  3. 

Ballinteer;  Baile-an-tsaeir,  the  town  of  the  carpenter. 
Ballintemple ;  the  town  of  the  temple  or  church. 
Ballinteskin  ;  Baile-an-Uescenn,  the  town  of  the  morass. 
Ballintlea,  Ballintleva,  Ballintlevy,  Ballintlieve ;  Baile- 

an-tsleihhe,  the  town  of  the  mountain  (sliahh). 
Ballintober ;  the  town  of  the  well. 
Ballintogher ;  the  town  of  the  togher  or  causeway. 
Ballintubbert,  Ballintubbrid  ;  same  as  Ballintober. 
Ballinui'e  ;  the  town  of  the  yew  tree  {iuhhar). 
Ballinvally ;  Baile-an-hhecdaigh,  the  town  of  the  road. 
Ballinvarrig,  Ballinvarry ;  Barry's  town. 
Ballinvella,  Ballinvilla ;  Baile-an-bhile,  the  town  of  the 

hits  or  ancient  tree. 
Ballinvoher;  Baile-an-hhothair^  the  town  of  the  road. 
Ballinvreena  in  Limerick  and  Tipperary  ;  the  town  of 
the  bruighean  [breen")  or  fairy  mansion. 


Irish  Local  Names  explained.  15 

Ballinwillin ;  Baile-an-mhuilinn,  the  town  of  the  mill. 

Ballinwully  in  Roscommon  ;  see  page  1. 

Ballytore  in  Kildare  took  its  name  from  a  fotd  on  the 
river  Greece ;  Bel-atha-a'-tuair  [Bellatoor],  the  ford 
mouth  of  the  iuar  or  bleach  green. 

Ballyard;  high  town. 

Bailybaan,  Ballybane,  Ballybaun  ;  white  town. 

Ballybay  in  Monaghan ;  Bel-atha-leithe  [Bellabehy], 
the  ford  mouth  of  the  birch. 

Ballybeg;  smalltown. 

Ballyboe;  i.  e.  "cow-land,"  a  measure  of  land. 

Bally bofey  in  Donegal.  The  correct  old  name  is  Srath- 
hofey.  Some  occupier  named  Ficich,  or  Fay  must  have 
in  past  times  kept  his  cows  on  the  holm  along  the 
Finn;  Srath-lo-Fiaich,  F.3I.,  the  river  holm  of 
Fiach's  cows. 

Ballyboghil  in  county  Dublin  ;  the  town  of  the  hachal 
orcrozier;  from  St.  Patrick's  crozier. 

Ballyboley ;  the  town  of  the  booley  or  dairy  place. 

Ballybough  near  Dublin;  Baile-hocht,  poor  town;  the 
same  as  Ballybought  in  other  places. 

Ballyboy  in  King's  County ;  written  in  Irish  authorities 
Baile-atha-huidhe  [Ballyaboy],  the  town  of  the  yellow 
ford;  the  name  is  common  in  other  counties  and 
sometimes  means  yellow  town  {Baile-buidhe), 

Ballybrack ;  speckled  town. 

Ballybrannagh ;  "Walsh's  town.  The  proper  name 
Walsh  is  in  Iri?h  Breathnach  [Branagh],  i.  e.  Briton. 

Ballybunnion  in  Keriy ;  Bunnion's  town. 

Ballycahan,  Ballvcahane;  O'Cahan's  town. 

Ballycahill;  Cahill's  or  O'Cahill's  town. 

Ballycastle  in  Antrim ;  the  town  of  the  castle. 

Ballycastle  in  Mayo;  the  town  of  the  cashel  or  cir- 
cular stone  fort. 

Ballyclare ;  the  same  as  Ballinclare. 

Bally clerahan  in  Tipperary ;  O'Clerahan's  town. 

Ballyclogh,  Ballyclohy ;   the  town  of  the  stones. 

Ballycloghan  ;  the  town  of  the  cloghan  or  row  of  step- 
ping stones  across  a  river. 

BaUyclug  in  Antrim  ;  the  town  of  the  bell     log). 

Ballycolla;  the  town  of  CoUa,  a  man's  nam 


16  Irish  Local  Names  explained, 

Ballyconnell  in  Cavan.  According  to  tradition,  Conall 
Carnagh,  one  of  the  most  renowned  of  the  Red  Branch 
knights  of  Ulster,  was  slain  here  in  the  first  century ; 
hence  it  was  called  Bel-atha-Chonaill^  the  mouth 
of  the  ford  of  Conall. 

Ballycorraick  ;  Cormac's  or  O'Cormac's  town. 

Ballycullane ;  O'Cullane's  or  O'Collins's  town. 

Ballydehob  in  Cork  ;  Bel-atha-da-chab,  the  ford  of  the 
two  cals  or  mouths ;  from  some  local  feature. 

Ballyduff;  black  town. 

Ballyea  ;  O'Hea's  or  Hayes's  town. 

Ballyeighter ;  Baile-iochtar,  lower  town. 

Ballyfoyle;  the  town  of  the  hole  (poll). 

Ballygarran,  Ballygarraun ;  the  town  of  the  garran  or 
shrubbery. 

Ballyglass ;  green  town. 

BaUygowan ;  the  town  of  the  smith  {gohha). 

Ballyheige  in  Kerry;  Baile-ui-Thadg,  the  town  of 
O'Teige. 

Ballyhooly  near  Mallow ;  took  its  name  from  an  an- 
cient ford  on  the  Blackwater,  called  in  the  Book  of 
Lismore  Ath-ulUa  [Ahoola];  the  ford  of  the  apples. 
The  people  now  call  it  in  Irish  Baile-aiha-uhMa 
(which  they  pronounce  Blaa-hoold),  the  town  of  the 
apple  ford,  which  has  been  shortened  to  the  present 
name. 

Bally  keel ;  Baile-cael,  narrow  town. 

Ballyknock ;  the  town  of  the  hill. 

Ballyknockan,  Ballyknockane ;  the  town  of  the  little 
hill. 

Ballylanders  in  Limerick;  Landers's  town,  from  an 
English  family  of  that  name. 

Ballylig  ;  the  town  of  the  lug  or  hollow. 

Ballylongford  in  Kerry;  Bd-aiha-longpkutrt,  the  ford- 
mouth  of  the  longphort  or  fortress;  because  it  led  to 
Carrigafoyle  castle,  two  miles  off. 

Ballylough,  Ballyloughan,  Ballyloughaun;  the  town  of 
the  lake. 

Ballylusk,  Ballylusky  ;  Baile-loisgthe,  burnt  town; 
from  the  practice  of  burning  the  surface  in  tillage. 


Irkh  Local  Names  explained.  17 

Ballymena,    Ballymenagh ;   Baile-meadhonach,   middle 

town. 
Ballymoney  ;  the  town  of  the  shrubbery  {mut'ne). 
Ballymore ;  great  town ;  sometimes  when  the  place  13 

on  a  river  it  is  Bel-atha-tnoir  [Bellamore],  the  mouth 

of  the  great  ford. 
Ballymote;   £aile-an-mJioia,   F.  M.,   the  town  of  the 

moat  or  mound. 
Ballynabama,  Ballynabamy,  Ballynabearna  ;  the  town 

of  the  gap.     See  Ballinabarny. 
Ballynaboley,  BaUynaboola,  Ballynabooley ;   the  town 

of  the  boolet/  or  dairy  place   ilxiaile).     See  Bally- 

boley. 
Ballynacally ;  the  town  of  the  calliagh  or  hag. 
Bally nacarrick,  Ballynacarrig,  Ballynaearriga,  Ballyna- 

carrigy ;  the  town  of  the  rock  {carraig). 
BaUynaclogh,  Ballynacloghy ;  Baile-na-cloiche,  the  town 

of  the  clock  or  stone. 
Ballynacor,  BallynacoiTa ;  the  town  of  the  weir  {cora). 
Ballynacourty ;  the  town  of  the  court  or  mansion. 
Ballynagall,   Ballynagaul;    the  town  of  the  Galls  or 

foreigners. 
Ballynagard ;  the  town  of  the  ceards  or  artificers. 
Ballynagee,  Ballynageeha ;  town  of  the  wind  {gaeth). 
Ballynageeragh  ;  the  town  of  the  sheep  (eaera), 
Ballynaglogh ;  Baile-na-gcloch,  the  town  of  the  stones. 
BaUynagore ;  the  town  of  the  goats  {gahhar). 
Ballynagowan ;  the  town  of  the  smiths  (golha). 
Ballynagran ;  Baile-na-gcrann,  the  town  of  the  trees. 
Ballynahaglish ;  the  town  of  the  church  {eaglais). 
Ballynahinch ;  the  town  of  the  inis  or  island. 
Ballynahone,  Ballynahown,  Ballynahowna ;  the  town 

of  the  river  (abhainn). 
Ballynahow;  the  town  of  the  river  (ahh). 
BallynakiU,  Ballynakilla,   BaUynakilly;  the  town   of 

the  church  or  wood  {cill  or  coill). 
BaUynalacken ;  the  town  of  the  leacan  or  hill  side. 
Ballynamona  ;  the  town  of  the  bog  (mdin). 
Ballynamuck  ;  the  town  of  the  pigs  (muc). 
Ballynamuddagh ;  Baile-na-mlodach,   the  town  of  the 

lodacht  or  churls. 


18  Irish  Local  Names  explained, 

Ballynaraha ;  the  town  of  the  rath  or  fort. 

Ballynatona,  Ballynatone ;  the  town  of  the  lachide  or 
hiU  {tdin). 

Ballynatray ;  the  town  of  the  strand  {traigh). 

Ballyneety;  Baile-an-Fhaeite,  the  town  of  "White,  a 
family  name  of  English  origin. 

Ballyness  ;  the  town  of  the  waterfall  {eas). 

Ballynew,  Ballynoe ;  Baile-nua,  new  town. 

Ballynure ;  Batle-an-iubhair,  the  town  of  the  yew. 

Ballyorgan  in  Limerick ;  Organ's  or  Horgan's  town. 

Ballyragget  in  Kilkenny;  Bel-atha-Eaghat,  F.  M.,  Ragat's 
ford-mouth. 

Ballyroe ;  Baile-ruadh,  red  town. 

Ballyroosky ;  the  town  of  the  rush  or  marsh. 

Ballysadare  in  Sligu;  originally  JEm-dara  [Assdara], 
the  cataract  of  the  oak,  from  the  beautiful  fall  on  the 
Owenmore  river.  It  was  afterwards  called  Baile- 
easa-dara  [Ballyassadara],  P.  M.,  the  town  of  Assdara, 
which  has  been  shortened  to  the  present  name. 

Ballysaggart ;  the  town  of  the  sagart  or  priest 

Ballysakeery  in  Mayo ;  see  page  3. 

Ballysallagh ;  dirty  town. 

Bally shane;  Shane's  or  John's  town. 

Ballyshannon :  the  old  ford  on  the  Erne  is  called  by  the 
annalists  Ath-seanaigh  and  Bel-atha-seatiaigh  [Bella- 
shanny];  from  the  latter,  the  present  name  is  derived, 
and  it  means  the  mouth  of  SeanacKs  or  Shannagh'g 
ford,  a  man's  name  in  common  use.  The  on  is  a 
modern  corruption ;  the  peasantry  call  the  town  Bal- 
ly shanng,  which  is  nearer  the  original.  Ballyshannon 
in  Kildare  is  similarly  derived. 

Bally  tarsna,  Bally  tarsney ;  cross -town;  i.  e.  the  village 
or  townland  had  a  cross  or  transverse  position. 

Ballyteige ;  O'Teige's  town. 

Ballytrasna;  same  as  Ballytarsna. 

Ballyvaghan  in  Clare;  Baile-ui-Bheachain,  O'Behan'ji 
town. 

Bally  water ;  Baile-uachtar,  upper  town. 

Bally  willin ;  the  town  of  the  mill  (muileann). 

Balrath  ;  Baile-ratha,  the  town  of  the  fort. 

Balrathboyne  in  Meath.   St.  Baeithin  [Bweeheen;  but 


Irish  Local  Names  explained.  19 

often  pron.  Boyne],  the  son  of  Guana,  built  a  church 
here  near  an  ancient  rath,  and  the  rath  remains, 
though  the  church  is  gone.  Hence  it  was  called 
Rath-Baeithin,  and  in  recent  times,  Balrathboyne,  the 
town  of  Baeitkin^s  rath. 

Balrothery;  Bailea'-ridire  [Ballyariddery],  the  town 
of  the  knight 

Baltinglass;  it  is  written  Bealach-CJionglais  [Ballacon- 
glas]  in  Irish  authorities,  the  road  or  pass  of  Cuglas,  a 
person  about  whom  there  is  a  very  ancient  legend. 

Baltrasna ;  the  same  as  Ballytarsna. 

Baltray;  the  town  of  the  strand  {traigh). 

Banagh,  barony  of,  in  Donegal.  It  is  called  in  the 
annals  Baghaineach  [Bawnagh],  i.  a  the  territory  of 
Boghaine  [Boana]  ox  Enna  Boghaine,  the  son  of  Conall 
Gulban,  son  of  the  great  king  jS'iall  of  the  Nine 
Hostages,  who  reigned  from  A.  D.  379  to  405. 

Banagher  and  Bangor;  Beannchor  [Banaher],  F.  M., 
(from  the  root  leann),  signifies  horns,  or  pointed  hills 
or  rocks,  and  sometimes  simply  a  pointed  hill. 

Bannow  in  "Wexford;  the  harbour  was  called  Cuan-an- 
hhainhh  [Coon-an-wonniv],  the  harbour  of  the  lonjiiv 
or  sucking  pig;  and  the  village  has  preserved  the 
latter  part  of  the  name  changed  to  Bannow. 

Bansha;  Bainseach  [Bawnsha],  a  level  place. 

Bantry;  Beantraighe  [BantryJ,  Book  of  R.,  i.  e.  the 
descendants  oi-Beann  [Ban],  one  of  the  sons  of  Conor 
Mac  Nessa,  king  of  Ulster  in  the  first  century.  A 
part  of  the  tribe  settled  in  Wexford,  and  another 
part  in  Cork,  and  the  barony  of  Bantry  in  the  former 
county,  and  the  town  of  Bantry  in  the  latter,  retain 
their  name. 

Barna ;  Bearna,  a  gap. 

Barnaboy;  yellow^  gap. 

Bamageeha,  Barnageehy;  windy  gap  (gaoth). 

Barnane-Ely  in  Tipperary ;  from  the  remarkable  gap 
in  the  Devil's  Bit  mountain ;  Bearnan-Eile,  the  little 
gap  of  Ely,  the  ancient  territory  in  which  it  was 
situated. 

Barnes,  Barnish;  Bearnas,  a  gap. 

Barnismore;  great  gap. 


20  Irish  Local  Names  ex2)lained. 

Barr;  the  top  of  anything. 

Baslick;  Baisleac,  F.  M.,  a  lasilica  or  church. 

Batterstown  ;  the  town  of  the  batter  {hothar)  or  road. 

Bawnmore ;  great  green  field. 

Bawnoge ;  little  green  field. 

Bawnreagh;  greyish  green  field. 

Baunskeha ;  the  green  field  of  the  bush  {seeach). 

Bawnboy;  yellow  field. 

Bawnfune ;  Bdn-fionn,  white  field. 

Bawnmore ;  great  green  field. 

Bea^h;  Beitlieach  [Beha],  a  place  of  bircties. 

Bear;  bai'ouy,  island,  and  havtn,  in  Cork.  Owen 
More,  king  of  Munster  in  the  second  century,  spent 
nine  years  in  Spain,  and,  according  to  an  old  legend,  he 
married  Beara,  daughter  of  the  king  of  that  country. 
On  his  return,  to  Ireland  to  make  war  against  Conn 
of  the  hundred  battles,  he  landed  on  the  north  side 
of  Ban  try  bay,  and  called  the  place  Beara  in  honour 
of  his  wife. 

Beheenagh,  Behernagh ;   a  place  of  birches  (heith). 

Behy ;  birch  land. 

Belfarsad ;  the  same  as  Belfast. 

Belfast.  In  old  times  the  Lagan  used  to  be  crossed  here 
by  a  farset  or  sandbank,  and  hence  the  place  was 
called  Belfeirste,  F. M.,  the  lei  or  ford  oiXhe  farset. 

Bellagh}';  the  mouth  or  entrance  of  the  lahagh  o» 
slough. 

Bellanacargy  in  Cavan;  Bel-atha-na-cairrge,  the  mouth 
of  the  ford  of  the  rock  {carraig). 

Bellanagar  in  Roscommon;  Bel-atha-na-gcarr,  the  mouth 
of  the  ford  of  the  cars. 

Bellananagh in  Cavan;  Bel-atJia-na-neach,  the  mouth  of 
the  ford  of  the  horses  (each). 

Bellaugh  in  Koscomraon;  the  same  as  Bellaghy. 

Belleek  near  Ballyshannon  ;  Bel-leice  [Bellecka],  F.  M., 
the  ford-mouth  of  the  flag  stone,  from  the  flat  sur- 
faced rock  in  the  bed  of  the  river.  Belleek  in  other 
places  is  similarly  derived. 

Beltany  ;  fvem  Bealtaine  or  Beltaine,  the  first  of  May; 
because  the  May  day  sports  used  to  be  celebrated  there. 

Ben ;  a  peak,  a  pointed  hill  {beann). 


Irish  Local  Names  explained.  2  1 

Benbo  monntain  near  Manorhamilton,  is  called  in  Irish 
Beanna-ho,  F.  M.,  the  peaks  or  horns  of  the  cow, 
from  its  curious  double  peak. 

Benburb  in  Tyrone  ;  from  a  cliff  over  the  Blackwater, 
called  in  the  annals  Beann-horb,  the  proud  peak. 

Bengore  head ;  the  peak  of  the  goats  {gabhar). 

Bengorm  ;  blue  peak. 

Benraore;  great  peak. 

Bignion  or  Binnion  ;  small  hoi  or  peak. 

Billy  in  Antrim  ;  Bile,  an  ancient  tree. 

Binbulbin  ;  correct  name,  Binn-  Gulbain,  Gulban's  peak. 

Bogagh,  Boggagh,  Boggan,  Boggaun;  a  boggy  place. 

Boher ;  Bothar  [boher],  a  road. 

Boherard ;  high  road. 

Boherboy ;  yellow  road. 

Boherduff ;  see  page  2. 

Bohereen ;  little  road. 

Bohermeen ;  smooth  road. 

Boherroe ;  red  road. 

Boho  in  Fermanagh ;  Botha  [boha],  tents  or  huts. 

Bohola  ;  Both-Thola,  Hy.  F.,  St.  Tola's  hut. 

Boley  ;  buaile,  a  milking  place  for  cattle. 

Boleybeg ;  little  boley  or  dairy  place. 

Boola,  booley ;  the  same  as  Boley. 

Boolyglass;  green  booley. 

Booterstown  near  Dublin;  the  town  of  the  bothar^ 
batter,  or  road.  In  a  roll  of  the  fifteenth  century  it 
is  called  BoUybothyr,  which  shows  that  the  Irish 
name  was  Baile-an-bhothair,  the  town  of  the  road, 
of  which  the  present  name  is  a  kind  of  half  translation. 

Borheen;  same  as  Bohereen. 

Borris ;  Buirghes  [burris],  a  burgage  or  borough. 

Borris-in-Ossory ;  from  the  old  territory  of  Ossory. 

Borrisokane ;  O'Keane's  borough  town. 

Borrisoleigh ;  from  the  ancient  territory  Ui  Luighdheack 
[Hy  Leea],  in  which  it  was  situated. 

Boumey  in  Tipperary;  Boime  [boumy],  rocky  lands, 
the  plural  of  Burren. 

Bovevagh;  Both-Mheidhbhe  [Boh-veva],  the  hut  or  tent 
of  Maev  or  ilabel,  a  woman's  name. 

Boylagh,  barony  o^  in  Donegal;  i.  e.  the  territory  of 
the  O'Boyles. 


22  Irish  Local  Names  explained. 

Boyounagh;  yellow  ounagh  or  marsh  {dbhna/ih]. 

Braade ;  same  as  Braid. 

Brackagh,    Brackenagh,    Brackernagh,   Bracklagh;    a 

speckled  place,  from  hrcac,  speckled. 
Bracklin,  Brackloon ;  Breac-cluain,  speckled  meadow. 
Braid,  the,  in  Antrim  ;  applied  to  the  deep  glen  through 

which  the  river  flows ;  Braghad  [braud],  a  gullet  or 

gorge. 
Brandon  hill  in  Kerry,  and  also   in  Kilkenny;  both 

called  from  St.  Brendan  the  Navigator,  who  flourished 

in  the  sixth  century. 
Bray  in  Wicklow :  it  is  called  Bree  in  old  documents, 

and  it  took  name  from  the  rocky  head  near  it :  Bri 

[bree],  a  hill.     The  name  of  Bray  head  in  Valentia 

Island  in  Kerry,  is  similarly  derived. 
Breaghva,  Breaghwy,   Breaghj';  Breach-mhagh  [Brea- 

vah],  the  plain  of  the  wolves  (breach,  a  wolf;  magh, 

a  plain). 
Breandrum ;  stinking  drum  or  ridge. 
Brigown  near  Mitchelstown  in  Cork ;  written  Bri-gohh- 

unn  [Breegown]  in  the  Book  of  Lismore,  the  hree  or 

hill  of  the  smith  (gobha). 
Brittas;  speckled  land. 
Britway  in  Cork ;  a  corruption   of  Breaghva^   which 

see. 
Brockagh;  a  place  of  hrocs  or  badgers. 
Bruff"  in  Limerick;  a  corrupt   form  of  Bnigh   [bru], 

a  fort  or  mansion.     The  brugk  is  the  old  fort  near  the 

town. 
Bruis ;  another  form  of  Brugfi  [bru],  a  mansion. 
Bruree  in  Limerick ;  called  in  Irish  documents  Brugh- 

righ  [Bruree],  the  fort  or  palace  of  the  king ;  for  it 

was  the  chief  seat  of  OlioU  Olum,  king  of  Munster  in 

the  second  century,  and  afterwards  of  the  O'Donovans. 

Several  of  the  old  forts  still  remain. 
Bullaun;  Bulldn,  a  well  in  a  rock. 
Bun ;  the  bottom  or  end  of  anything ;  the  mouth  of  a 

river. 
Buncrana ;  the  mouth  of  the  river  Crana. 
Bunlahy ;  the  end  of  the  laTia^jh  or  slough. 
Bunratty  in  Clare ;  the  mouth  of  the  river  Ratty,  now 

called  the  Owen  O'Garney. 


Irish  Local  Names  explained.  23 

Burren ;  Boireann,  a  rock,  a  rocky  district. 

Burriscarra ;  the  burris  or  borough  of  the  old  territory 
of  Carra. 

Burrishoole ;  derived  like  Burriscarra,  from  the  territory 
of  TTmhall  [ool]  or  "  The  Owles." 

Burrisnafarney  in  Tipperary ;  the  burris  or  borough  of 
the  alder-plain  (see  Farney). 

Buttevant  in  Cork;  from  the  French  motto  of  the 
Barrys,  Boute%-en-avant,  push  forward.  The  Irish 
name  is  Kilnamullagh,  the  cell  or  church  of  the  sum- 
mits (mullach). 

Cabragh ;  bad  land. 

Caber;  cathair  [caber],  a  circular  stone  fort. 

Caherbarnagh ;  gapped  cah^r  or  fort:  (hearnach,  gapped). 

Caherconlish  in  Limerick;  Cathair-chinn-lis,  the  caher 
at  the  head  of  the  lis  or  fort. 

Caherduggan;  Duggan's  caher  or  stone  fort. 

Cahergal;  white  caher  or  stone  fort. 

Caberkeen  in  Cork ;  beautiful  caher  or  fort. 

Cahersiveen  in  Kerry:  it  exactly  preserves  the  pronun- 
ciation of  the  Irish  name  Cathair- Saidhhhin,  the  stone 
fort  of  Saidhhhin,  or  Sabina,  a  woman's  name. 

Cabirconree  mountain  near  Tralee ;  Curoi's  caher,  i.  e. 
the  celebrated  chief,  Ctiroi  Mac  Baire,  who  flourished 
in  the  first  century.  His  caher  still  remains  on  a 
shoulder  of  the  mountain. 

Caldragh;  Cealdrach,  an  old  burying  ground. 

Callow;  Gala,  a  marshy  meadow  along  a  river. 

Callowhill ;  Collchoill,  hazel  wood  (coll  and  coill). 

Caltragh ;  same  as  Caldragh. 

Calluragb ;   Ceallurach,  an  old  burial  ground. 

Camas,  Camus;  anything  that  winds,  a  winding  stream : 
from  cam,  crooked. 

Camlin ;  crooked  line ;  often  applied  to  a  river. 

Camlough  ;  crooked  lake  {cam  and  loch). 

Cappa,  Cappagh ;  ceapach,  a  plot  of  land  laid  down  for 
tillage. 

Cappaghbeg ;  little  tillage-plot. 

Cappaghmore,  Cappamore;  great  tillage-plot. 

Cappaghwhite  in  Tipperary ;  White's  tillage-plot. 

Capparoe ;  red  plot. 


24  Irish  Local  Names  explained. 

Cappog,  Cappoge ;  little  cappagh  or  plot. 

Cappoquin;   Ceapach-Chuinn,  Conn's  tillage-plot. 

Caran,  Caraun  ;  a  rocky  place  (from  carr). 

Carbury  baronies  in  Longford  and  Sligo ;  so  called 
because  they  -were  inhabited  by  the  descendants  of 
Carbery,  one  of  the  sons  of  Niall  of  the  Nine  Host- 
ages, king  of  Ireland  from  A.  D.  379  to  405, 

Cargagh  ;  a  rocky  place  (from  carraig). 

Cargan,  Cargin;  a  little  rock,  a  rocky  place. 

Carha;   Cairthe  [carha],  a  pillar  stone. 

Carhoo ;  ceathramhadh  [carhoo],  a  quarter  (of  land). 

Carlingford  ;  ford  is  the  Danish  fiord,  a  sea  inlet ;  the 
old  Irish  name  is  Cairlinn ;  Carlingford,  the  fiord  of 
Cairlinn. 

Carlow;  called  in  Irish  documents  Cetherloch  [Caher- 
lough],  quadruple  lake  {cether,  four);  the  Barrow  an- 
ciently formed  four  lakes  there. 

Cam ;  a  monumental  heap  of  stones. 

Camacally;  the  cam  of  the  hag  {cailleach). 

Camalbanagh  ;  the  cam  of  the  Albanach  or  Scotchman. 

Camaun ;  little  earn  or  monumental  heap. 

Cambane  ;  white  earn  {ban  [bawn],  white). 

Camdonagh  in  Innishowen ;  so  called  because  the  cam 
was  situated  in  the  parish  of  Donagh. 

Carnew;  Carn-Naoi  [Nee],  Naoi's  cam. 

Carnglass;  green  cam. 

Carnlough ;  the  cam  of  the  lake. 

Carnmore;  great  cam. 

Camsore  Point.  The  old  Irish  name  is  earn,  a  monu- 
mental heap;  the  termination  ore  is  Danish,  and  sig- 
nifies the  sandy  point  of  a  promontory :  Carnsore  is 
merely  Cam's  ore,  the  ore  or  sandy  point  of  the  cam. 

Carnteel  in  Tyrone;  Carn-tSiadhail  [Carn-teel],  F.  M., 
SiadhaVs  or  Shiel's  cam  (s  eclipsed). 

Cam  Tierna  near  Fermoy.  Tighernach  [Tierna]  Tet- 
bannach,  king  of  Munster  in  the  first  century,  was 
buried  under  the  great  cam  which  still  remains  on 
the  top  of  the  hill;  and  hence  the  name,  signifying 
Tiema's  cam. 

Carntogher  hills  in  Londonderry;  the  earn  of  the  togher 
or  causeway. 


Irish  Local  Names  explained.  25 

Carrantuohill,  the  highest  mountain  in  Ireland.  It 
descends  on  the  Killarney  side  by  a  curved  edge, 
which  the  spectator  catches  in  profile,  all  jagged  and 
Berrated  with  great  masses  of  rock  projecting  like 
teeth.  Tuathail  [thoohil]  means  left-handed,  and  is 
applied  to  anything  reversed  from  its  proper  direc- 
tion; carrdn  is  a  reaping  hook;  and  Carrantuohill  is 
"  the  reversed  reaping  hook,"  because  the  teeth  are 
on  a  convex  instead  of  a  concave  edge. 

Carrick ;  a  rock,  Irish  carraig  [carrigj. 

Carrickbeg;  little  rock. 

Carrickduff ;  black  rock. 

Carrickfergus ;  Fergus's  rock. 

Carrickraore ;  great  rock. 

Carrick-on-Shannon.  Carrick  is  here  a  corruption  of 
carra,  a  weir;  and  the  place  took  its  name  from  an 
ancient  weir  across  the  Shannon.  Its  old  anglicised 
name  was  Carrickdrumrusk,  properly  Carra-Drum- 
rusk,  the  weir  of  Drumru^. 

Carrick- on- Suir ;  the  rock  of  the  Suit;  from  a  large  rock 
in  the  bed  of  the  river. 

Carrig;  a  rock,  the  same  as  Carrick. 

Carrigafoyle  on  the  Shannon,  near  Ballylongford ;  Car- 
raiff-a'-phoill,  the  rock  of  the  hole ;  from  a  deep  hole 
in  the  river,  near  the  castle. 

Carrigaholt  in  Clare ;  written  by  the  F.  M.,  Carraig-an- 
chohhlaigh  [CarrigahowlyJ,  the  rock  of  the  fleet;  and 
it  took  its  name  from  the  rock  which  rises  over  the 
bay  where  the  fleets  anchored.  The  local  pronuncia- 
tion of  the  Irish  name  is  Carrigaholty,  from  which 
the  present  name  is  derived.  Another  place  of  the 
same  name  which  preserves  the  correct  pronunciation, 
is  Carrigahowly  on  Newport  bay  in  Mayo,  the  castl< 
of  the  celebrated  Grace  O'Malley. 

Carrigaline  in  Cork ;  the  rock  of  O'Lehane. 

Carrigallen  in  Leitrim ;  Carraig-dluinn,  beautiful  rock; 
from  the  rock  on  which  the  original  church  was 
built. 

Carrigan,  Carrigane;  little  rock. 

Carrigans ;  little  rocks. 

Carrigdownane ;  Downan's  or  Downing's  roci 


26  Irish  Local  Names  explained. 

Carrigeen ;  little  rock :  Carrrigeens ;  little  rocks. 

Carrignavar  in  Cork ;  see  page  3. 

Carrigogunnell  near  the  Shannon  in  Limerick ;   Carraig- 

O-gCoinnell,  F.  M.,  the  rock  of  the  O'Connells. 
Carrigroe ;  red  rock. 

Carrow ;  a  quarter  (of  land).     See  Carhoo. 
Carroward;  high  quarter-land. 
Carrowbane,  Carrowbaun  ;  white  quarter-land. 
Carrowbeg;  little  quarter-land. 
Carrowcrin  ;  the  quarter-land  of  the  tree  (crann). 
Carrowduff;  black  quarter- land. 
Carrowgarriff,    Carrowgarve  ;    rough    quarter    {garbh, 

rough). 
Carrowkeel ;  narrow  quarter  {caelj  narrow). 
Carrowraanagh ;  middle  quarter-land. 
Carrowmore;  great  quarter-land. 
Carrownaglogh  ;  the  quarter  of  the  stones  (clock). 
Carrownamaddoo,    Carrownamaddra,   Carrownamaddy ; 

the  quarter  of  the  dogs  {madadh,  and  madradh). 
Carrowntober ;  the  quarter-land  of  the  well  (tobar). 
Carrowreagh,  Carrowrevagh  ;  grey  quarter  (riabhach). 
Carrowroe ;  red  quarter-land. 
Cartron ;  an  Anglo-Norman  word,  meaning  a  quarter 

of  land, 
"lashel :  all  the  places  of  this  name,  including  Cashel  in 

Tipperary,  were  so  called  from  a  caiseal  [cashel]  or 

circular  stone  fort. 
Cashen  river;  casdn  a  path;  for  this  river  was,  as  it 

were,  the  high  road  into  Kerry. 
Cashlan ;  Caislen,  a  castle. 
Castlebane,  Castlebaun ;  white  castle. 
Castlebar  in  Mayo  ;  shortened  from  Castle-Barry ;  for  it 

belonged  to  the  Barrys  after  the  English  invasion. 
Castlecomer  ;  the  castle  of  the  river-confluence  (comar). 
Castleconnell  near  Limerick  :  see  page  3. 
Castledermot  in  Kildare.     The  old  name  was  Discrt- 

dermot,  Diarmad's  desert  or  hermitage,  from  Diarmad 

son  of  the  king  of  Ulidia,  who  founded  a  monastery 

there  about  A.  D.  800.     The  present  form  of  the 

name  is  derived  from  a  castle  built  there  by  Walter 

de  Biddlesford  in  the  time  of  Strongbow. 


Irish  Local  Names  expiained.  27 

Castledillon  in  Kildare ;  Irish  name  Disert-Iolladhan 
[Disertillan],  lolladhan^ i  or  lUan's  hermitage ;  and 
the  word  Castle  was  »ab8tituted  for  Disert  as  in  last 
name. 

Castlelyons  in  Cork  ;  the  castle  of  O'Lehane  or  Lyons. 

Castlemoyle ;  bald  or  dilapidated  castle  (mael). 

Castlepook ;  the  castle  of  the  pooka  or  spright. 

Castlerahan;  the  castle  of  the  little  rath  or  fort. 

Castlereagh  ;  grey  castle  (riabkach). 

Castle  terra  in  Cavan ;  a  corruption  from  the  Irish  Cos- 
a' -tsiorratgh  [Cussatirry],  the  foot(co«)of  the  searrach 
or  foal.  The  name  is  accounted  for  by  a  legend 
about  a  stone  with  the  print  of  a  colt's  foot  on  it. 

Castleventry  in  Cork;  the  Irish  name  is  Caislean  na- 
gaeithe  [Cashlaunnageeha],  the  castle  of  the  wind, 
of  which  the  present  name  is  a  kind  of  translation. 

Cavan ;  Cahhan,  a  hollow  place.  In  some  parts  of  Ul- 
ster it  is  understood  to  mean  a  hard  round  hill. 

Cavanacaw ;  the  round  hill  of  the  chaff  {path) ;  from 
the  practice  of  winnowing. 

Cavanaleck;  the  hill  of  the  flag-stone. 

Cavanreagh ;  grey  hill  (n'ahhach  [reagh]  grey). 

Celb ridge  in  Kildare  ;  the  cell,  kill,  or  church,  of  the 
bridge ;  a  kind  of  half  translation  from  the  original 
Irish  name  Cill-droichid  [Kildrohed],  the  church  of 
the  drohed  or  bridge,  which  is  still  retained  as  the 
name  of  the  parish,  but  shortened  to  Kildrought. 

Cheek  Point  on  the  Suir  below  Waterford ;  a  corruption 
of  SJieega  Point,  the  Irish  name  being  Pointe-na-s'ige^ 
the  point  of  the  sheegas  or  fairies. 

Claggan;  Claigeann,  the  skull,  a  round  hill. 

Clankee,  barony  of,  in  Cavan;  Clann-an-chaoich\_Clann- 
an-kee~\,  the  clan  or  descendants  of  the  one-eyed  man. 
They  derived  this  cognomen  from  Niall  O'Reilly, 
slain  in  1256,  who  was  called  caech  [kee],  i.  e.  one- 
eyed. 

Clanmaurice,  barony  of,  in  Kerry ;  the  clan  or  descend- 
ants of  Maurice  Fitzgerald. 

Clanwilliam,  baronies  of,  in  Limerick  and  Tipperary; 
the  clan  or  descendants  of  "William  Burke. 

Clara,  Claragh  j  a  level  place  j  from  clfw. 


28  Irish  Local  Names  explained. 

Clare;  a  level  piece  of  land  (clar). 
Clareen ;  little  clar  or  level  plain. 
Clare- Galway.  Irish  name  Baile-an-chlair  [Ballinclare], 

F.  M.,  the  town  of  the  plain ;  of  which  only  the  latter 

part  is  retained:  called  Clare- Galway  to  distinguish  it 

from  other  Clares. 
Clash  ;   Clais,  a  trench  or  furrow. 
Clashduff ;  black  trench. 
ClashgannifF,  Clashganniv,  Clashganny ;   the  trench  of 

the  sand,  1,  e.  a  sandpit  {gainimh  [ganniv],  sand). 
Clashmore;  great  trench. 

Cleenish ;  Claen-inis  [Cleeninish],  sloping  inis  or  island. 
Cleggan ;  the  same  as  Claggan. 
Clifden  in  Galway;  a  very  modern  corruption  of  the 

Irish  name  Clochdn,  which  signifies  a  beehive-shaped 

stone  house. 
Cliffs  of  Moher.     The  term  Mothar  [Moher]  is  applied 

in  the  south  of  Ireland  to  the  ruin  of  a  caher,  rath, 

or  fort;  and  on  a  cliff  near  Hag's  Head  there  stands 

an  old  stone  fort,   called  Moher  O'Ruan,  O'Ruan's 

ruined  fort,  from  which  the  cliffs  of  Moher  received 

their  name. 
Clogh ;  a  stone ;  often  applied  also  to  a  stone  castle. 
Cloghan,  Cloghane,  Cloghaun;  a  row  of  stepping  stonep 

across  a  river  (from  dock). 
Cloghbally;  stony  hallt/  or  townland. 
Cloghboley,  Cloghboola ;  stony  booley  or  dairy  place. 
Cloghbrack ;  speckled  stone. 
Cloghcor;  rough  stone. 
Clogheen ;  little  stone  or  stone  castle. 
Clogher;  generally  applied  to  stony  land — a  place  full 

of  stones;  but  occasionally  it  means  a  rock. 
Clogherbrien  in  Kerry;  Braen's  stony  place. 
Cloghereen ;  a  place  full  of  stones  {clock). 
Cloghermore  ;  great  stony  place. 
Cloghernagh,  Clogherny ;  a  stony  place. 
Cloghfin ;   Cloch-Jinn,  white  stone. 
Cloghineely  in  Donegal;   Clock- Chintifhaelaidh  [Clogh- 

KineelyJ,  F.  M.,  Kineely's  or  Mac  Kineely's  stone. 

Name  accounted  for  by  a  long   legend.     The  stone 

which  gave  name  to  the  district  is  still  preserved. 


Iri^h  Local  Names  explained.  29 

Cloghoge ;  a  stony  place. 

Cloghpook ;  the  pooha's  or  spright's  stone. 

Cloghran  ;  Cloichredn,  a  stony  place. 

Cloghvoley,  Cloghvoola,  Cloghvoolia,  Cloghvoula ;  Chch- 

bhuaile,  stony  hooley  or  dairy  place. 
Cloghy ;  a  stony  place. 
Clogrennan ;   Cloch-grianain,  the  stone  castle  of   the 

gHanan  or  summer  residence. 
Clomantagh  in  Kilkenny ;  Mantagh's  stone  castle. 
Clon ;  a  meadow.     See  Cloon. 
Clonad;  Cluain-fhada  [Cloonada],  long  meadow 
Clonagh;   Cluain-each,  horse  meadow. 
Clonallan  in  Down ;  called  by  Colgan  and  others  Cluain- 

Dallain,  Dalian's  meadow ;  from  Dalian  Forgall,  a 

celebrated  poet  of  the  sixth  century. 
Clonal vy  ;  Cluain-Ailbhe,  Ailbhe's  or  Alvy's  meadow. 
Clonamery  ;  the  meadow  of  the  xomaire  or  ridge. 
Clonard  in  Meath  ;  written  in  Irish  authorities  Cluain- 

Eraird,   Erard's  meadow.     There  are  several  other 

places  called  Clonard  and  Cloonard ;  but  in  these  the 

Irish  form  is  probably  Cluain-ard,  high  meadow. 
Clonamey ;  Cluain-airTie,  the  meadow  of  sloes. 
Clonaslee ;  the  meadow  of  the  sliffhe  [slee]  or  road. 
Clonbeg;  little  meadow. 

Clonbrock;  the  meadow  of  the  brocs  or  badgers. 
Cloncrew  in  Limerick;  Cluain-creamha   [crawa],  the 

meadow  of  wild  garlick. 
Cloncullen ;  hoUy  meadow. 
Cloncurry;  shortened  from  C/uam-ConaiV«  [Cloon-Con- 

ary],  F.  M.,  Conary's  meadow. 
Clondalkin    near    Dublin;     Cluain-Dolcain,   Dolcan's 

meadow. 
Clonduff  in  Down ;  Cluain-daimh  [dav],  O'C.  Cal.,  the 

meadow  of  the  ox. 
Clone ;  a  meadow ;  same  as  Clon  and  Cloon. 
Cloneen ;  little  meadow. 
Clonegall   in   Carlow;     Cluain-na-nGaU  [Cloon- nung- 

aul],  the  meadow  of  the  Galls  or  foreigners. 
Clonenagh  in  Queen's  Count)' ;  Cluain-eidhnech  [enagh], 

O'C.    CaL,     the    meadow  of  ivy    (see  eidhtiedn  in 

Vocab.).     It  was  so  called  before  the  sixth  century, 

and  to  this  day  it  abotmds  in  ivy. 


30  Irish  Local  Karnes  explained. 

Clones    (pronounced   in  two  syllables);    Cluain-Eoi» 

[Cloonoce],  F.  M.,  the  meadow  of  I^os  [Oce],  a  man's 

name. 
Clonfad,  Clonfadda,  and   Cloonfad;  Cluain-fada,  long 

meadow. 
Clonfeaele  in  Tyrone;  called   Cluain-fiada  [feekla]  in 

the  Book  of  Leinster;  the  meadow  of  the  tooth. 
Clonfert :  the  Book  of  Leinster  writes  the  name  Cluairi' 

ferta,  the  meadow  of  the  grave. 
Clongill ;  Cluain-  Gaill,  the  meadow  of  the  foreigner. 
Clongowes  ;  the  meadow  of  the  smith  {gobha). 
Clonkeen  ;   Cluain-caein  [keen],  beautiful  meadow. 
Clonlea,  Clonleigh,  and  Cloonlee  ;   Cluain-laegh  [lee], 

the  meadow  of  the  calves. 
Clonliff;  the  meadow  of  herbs  {luhh^  an  herb). 
Clonmacnoise  ;  written  in  Irish  documents  of  the  eighth 

century  Cluain-maccn-Nois,  which  was  the  old  paijan 

name ;    and  it  signifies  the  meadow  of  the  sons  of 

Nos.     This  Nos  was  the  son  of  Fiadhach  [Feeagh],  a 

chief  of  the  tribe  of  Dealhhna  or  Delvin,  in  whose 

territory  Clonmacnoise  was  situated. 
Clonraeen ;  Cluain-min  [meen],  smooth  meadow. 
Clonmel ;   Cluain-meala  [malla],  the  meadow  of  honey 

{mil). 
Clonmellon ;   Cluain-milain,  F.  M.,  Milan's  meadow. 
Clonmelsh ;   Cluain-milis,  sweet  meadow  (from  honey). 
Clonmore ;  great  meadow. 
Clonmult;  the  meadow  of  the  wethers  (molt). 
Clonoghil ;  the  meadow  of  the  jew-wood  {edchaill). 
Clonoulty;    Cluain-Ultaigh    [ulty],    the  Ulsterman's 

meadow. 
Clonshire ;  Cluain-siar,  western  meadow. 
Clonsilla ;   Cluain-saileach,  the  meadow  of  sallows. 
Clonskeagh ;   Cluain-sceach,  the  meadow  of  the  white 

thorns. 
Clontarf;    Cluain-tarhh  [tarriv],  F.  M.,  the  meadow  of 

the  bulls. 
Clontibret;  written  by  the  annalists  Cluain-tiohrat^  the 

meadow  of  the  spring  {tipra,  same  as  tohar). 
Clonturk,  and  Cloonturk ;  the  boar's  meadow  {tore\. 
Clonty ;  same  as  Cloonty,  which  see. 


Irish  Local  Names  explained  31 

Cloaygowan ;  Cluain-na-ngamhan  \_Cloon-nung-oicn'\, 
F.  M.,  the  meadow  of  the  calves. 

Clonyhurk;  Cliiain-da-thorc  [Cloonahork],  F.  !5I.,  the 
meadow  of  the  two  boars. 

Cloon,  and  Cloone;  a  meadow.  See  Cluain  in  Vocabu- 
lary. 

Cloonagh ;  the  meadow  of  horses  {each). 

Cloon  ard.     See  Clonard. 

Cloonawillin ;  Cluain-a'-mhuilinn,  the  meadow  of  the 
mill. 

Cloonbeg ;  little  meadow. 

Clooncah ;  the  meadow  of  the  battle  (cath). 

Clooncoose,  Clooncose;  Cluain-cuas,  F.  M.,  the  mea- 
dow of  the  caves. 

Clooncraff;  same  as  Cloncrew. 

Clooncunna,  Clooncunnig,  Clooncunny;  the  meadow  of 
the  firewood  {conadh). 

Cloondara;  Cluain-da-rath,  F.  M.,  the  meadow  of  the 
two  raths  or  forts. 

Cloonee  and  Clooney ;  meadow  land. 

Clooneen;  little  meadow. 

Cloonfinlough ;  the  meadow  of  the  clear  lake. 

Cloonkeen;  Cluain-caein,  beautiful  meadow. 

Cloonlara;  the  meadow  of  the  mare  {Idrach). 

Cloonlougher ;  the  meadow  of  the  rashes  {luachra). 

Cloonmore ;  great  meadow. 

Cloonnagashel  in  Mayo.     See  page  2. 

Cloonshannagh,  Cloonshinnagh ;  fox  meadow  {iionnach). 

Cloonshee  ;  the  meadow  of  the  fairies  {sidh). 

Cloonsillagh  ;  the  meadow  of  sallows. 

Cloonteen ;  little  meadow. 

Cloonties ;   Chainte,  meadows  (English  plural  form). 

Cloontubbrid  ;  same  as  Clontibret. 

Cloontuskert ;  Cluain-tuaisceirt  [tooskert],  F.  M.,  nor- 
thern meadow. 

Cloonty  ;   Cluainte,  meadows,  plural  of  cluain. 

Cloran,  Cloraue,  Clorhane;  a  stony  place  {clock). 

Clough ;  a  stone  or  stone  castle. 

Cloyne  in  Cork ;  shortened  from  Cluain-uamha  [Cloon- 
ooa],  as  it  is  written  in  the  Book  of  Leinster.    The 


39  Irish  Local  Names  explained. 

name  signifies  the  meadow  of  the  cave  [uaimJi) ;  and 
the  cave  is  still  to  be  seen, 

ClydufF;  black  dyke  or  mound  (cladh). 

Colehill;   Coll-choill,  lis zel  wood. 

Colcraine.  We  are  told  in  the  Tripartite  Life  of  St. 
Patrick,  that  a  chieftain  named  Nadslaa  presented 
the  saint  with  a  piece  of  land  on  the  bank  of  thl 
river  Bann,  on  which  to  build  a  church.  It  was  a 
Bpot  overgrown  with  ferns,  and  it  happened  at  the 
moment  that  some  boys  were  amusing  themselves  by 
setting  them  on  fire.  Hence  the  place  was  called 
Cuil-rathain  [Coolrahen],  which  Colgan  translates 
Secessus  filicis,  the  corner  {cuil)  of  the  ferns.  Cool- 
rain,  Coolrainey  and  Coolrahnee,  are  similarly  de- 
rived. 

Collon ;  a  place  of  hazels  (coll). 

Colp  near  Drogheda.  According  to  an  ancient  legend, 
when  the  Milesian  brothers  invaded  Ireland,  one  of 
them,  Colpa  the  swordsman,  was  drowned  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Boyne ;  hence  it  was  called  Inver- 
Colpa,  Colpa's  river  mouth  ;  and  the  parish  of  Colp, 
on  its  southern  bank,  retains  the  latter  part  of  the 
name  a  little  shortened. 

Comber,  Comer ;  see  page  4. 

Com  maun  ;  a  little  cum  or  hollow. 

Conicar,  Conicker,  Conigar,  Coney keare;  Cuinicer  [cun- 
nikere],  a  rabbit  warren. 

Conlig  ;  the  Hag  or  stone  of  the  hounds  (cu). 

Connello,  baronies  of,  in  Limerick.  This  was  the  an- 
cient territory  of  the  tribe  of  Hy  Conall  or  Hy 
Conaill  Gabra  [Goura]  (so  written  in  the  Book  of 
Leinster),  who  were  descended  and  named  from 
Conall,  the  ninth  in  descent  from  OlioU  Olum,  king 
of  Munster  in  the  second  century. 

Connemara.  Maev,  queen  of  Connaught  in  the  time 
of  Conor  mac  Nessa,  had  three  sons  by  Fergus  mao 
Eoy,  ex-king  of  Ulster,  namely,  Ciar  [Keer],  Coti' 
mac,  and  Modhruadh  [Moroo].  The  descendants  of 
Conmac  were  called  ConmacnS  (n«,  a  progeny),  and 
they  were  settled  in  Connaught,  where  they  gave 
name  to  several  territories.     One  of  these,  viz.,  the 


Irish  Local  Naincts  explained.  33 

district  lying  west  of  Lough  Corrib  and  Longh  Mask, 
Irom  its  situation  uear  the  sea,  was  called,  to  distin- 
tinguish  it  from  the  others,  Conmacne-mara  (O'Dugan : 
mm'r,  the  sea,  gen.  mara),  or  the  sea-side  Conmacne, 
which  has  been  shortened  to  the  present  name  Con- 
nemara. 

Connor  in  Antrim ;  written  Condeire  or  Condaire  in 
various  authorities;  the  derry  or  oak  wood  of  the 
dogs  (c«),  or  as  it  is  explained  in  a  gloss  in  the  Mar- 
tyrology  of  Aengus,  "  The  oak  Avood  in  which  were 
wild  dogs  formerly,  and  she  wolves  used  to  dwell 
therein." 

Convoy,  Conva ;  Con-mhagh,  hound  plain  {cii  and 
magh). 

Conwal ;  Covglhail  [Congwal],  F.  M.,  a  habitation. 

Cooga,  Coogue ;   Coigeadh  [Coga],  a  fifth  part. 

Cool,  Coole ;  cuil,  a  corner,  or  cut,  a  back. 

Coolattin  ;  the  comer  of  the  furze  {aifeann). 

Coolavin,  a  barony  in  Sligo  ;  Cuil-  &bhFinn  [Coolovin], 
F.  M.,  the  corner  or  angle  of  the  O'Finns. 

Coolbanagher ;  the  angle  of  the  pinnacles.  (See  Bana- 
gher.) 

Coolbane,  Coolbaun  ;  white  comer  or  back. 

Coolcashin  ;  Cashin's  corner  or  angle. 

Coolderiy ;  back  derry  or  oak  word. 

Cooleen,  little  corner ;  Cooleeny,  little  corners. 

Cooleeshal,  Coolishal ;  low  corner  {iseal). 

Cooley  hills  near  Carlingford.  After  the  defeat  of  the 
Tuatha  De  Dananns  by  the  Milesians,  at  Teltown  in 
Meath,  the  Milesian  chief  Cuailgne  [Cooley],  follow- 
ing up  the  pursuit,  was  slain  here ;  and  the  district 
was  called  irom  him,  Cuailgne,  which  name  is  still 
applied  to  the  range  of  hills. 

Coolgreany  ;  sunny  corner  or  back  {grian  the  sun). 

Coolhill  and  Coolkill ;  cid-choill,  back  wood. 

Coolnahinch ;  the  corner  of  the  ww«,  island,  or  river 
meadow. 

Coolock,  Coologe ;  little  corner  or  angle. 

Coolroe ;  red  comer  or  back. 

Coom,  Coombe  ;  ciim,  a  hollow  or  mountain  valley. 

Coomnagoppul  at  Killamey ;  Cum-na-gcapall,  the  hoi- 
J) 


34  Irish  Local  Names  explained. 

low  or  valley  of  the  horses ;  from  the  practice  of 
Bending  horses  to  graze  in  it. 

CoomydufFnearKillarney;  Cum-ui-Dhuihh  [Coomywiv], 
O'DufF's  valley;  usually  but  erroneously  translated 
Black  valley. 

Coos,  Goose;  cuas,  a  cave. 

Coosan,  Coosane,  Coosaun  ;  little  cave. 

Cor,  Corr.  This  word  has  several  meanings,  but  it 
generally  signifies  a  round  hill. 

Corballis,  Corbally;  odd  townland :  coj*  here  means  odd. 

Corbeagh ;  round  hill  of  the  birch  {leith). 

Corcomohide  in  Limerick ;  Corca-Muichet  (Book  of  Lis- 
more),  the  race  {corca)  of  Muichet,  one  of  the  disciples 
of  the  druid,  Mogh  Ruith. 

Corcomroe,  barony  of,  in  Clare ;  Corca-Modhruadh  or 
Corcomruadh  [Corcomrua  :  Book  of  Leinster],  the 
race  {cored)  of  Modhruadh,  son  of  queen  Maev.  (See 
Connemara.) 

Corcreevy  ;  branchy  hill.     Craehh  [creeve],  a  branch. 

Cordangan ;  fortified  cor  or  round  hill. 

Cordarragh  ;  round  hill  of  the  oak  {dair). 

Corduif ;  black  round  hill. 

Corgarve  ;  rough  round  hill  (garhh). 

Corglass  ;  green  round  hill  (fflas). 

Corick ;  the  meeting  of  two  rivers. 

Cork ;  Corcach,  a  marsh.  The  city  grew  round  a  mo- 
nastery founded  in  the  sixth  century  on  the  edge  of 
a  marsh,  by  St.  Finbar ;  and  even  yet  a  part  of  the 
city  is  called  the  Marsh. 

Corkagh ;  the  same  name  as  Cork. 

Corkaguiny,  barony  of,  in  Kerry;  Corca-Duihhne  (divny : 
O'Dugan],  the  race  {corca)  of  Duilhne,  son  of  Carbery 
Muse,  who  was  son  of  Conary  II.,  king  of  Ireland 
from  A.  D.  158  to  165.     D  changed  to^  :  see  page  4. 

Corkaree,  barony  of,  in  Westmeath;  Corca  Raeidhe  [flee: 
O'Dugan],  the  race  {corca)  of  Fiacha  Raidhe  [Fecha 
Ree],  grandson  of  Felimy  the  Lawgiver,  king  of  Ire- 
land from  A.  D.  Ill  to  119. 

Corkeeran,  Corrakeeran ;  the  round  hill  of  the  keerant 
or  quicken  trees  {caerthainn). 

Corkey;  the  same  name  as  Cork  and  Corkagh. 


Irish  Local  Names  explained.  35 

Corlat ;  the  round  hill  of  the  sepulchres  (leacht), 

Corlea ;  grey  round  hill. 

Corlough ;  the  lake  of  the  corrs  or  herons. 

Cormeen;  smooth  round  hill. 

Cornaereeve  ;  the  round  hill  of  the  hranchy  tree  (eraehh). 

Comagee,  Cornageeha;  the  round  hill  of  the  wind 
(gaeth). 

Cornahoe ;  the  round  hill  of  the  cave  {uaiinh). 

Cornamucklagh ;  the  round  hill  of  the  piggeries.  See 
Mucklagh. 

Comaveagh  ;  the  round  hills  of  the  ravens  (Jiach). 

Corratober;  the  round  hill  of  the  well  (tohar). 

Corrinshigo,  Corrinshigagh ;  the  round  hill  of  the  ash 
trees.     See  Fuinnse  in  Vocabulaiy. 

Corrofin  in  Clare;  Coradh-Finne  [Corrafinna],  F.  M., 
the  weir  of  Finna,  a  woman's  name. 

Corskeagh ;  the  round  hill  of  the  white  thorns. 

Coshbride,  Coshlea,  Coshma,  baronies,  the  first  in 
"Waterford,  the  others  in  Limerick.  Cosh  (Irish  cois, 
from  cos  a  foot),  means  at  the  foot  of,  near,  beside. 
Coshbride,  the  barony  along  the  river  Bride.  Cosh- 
lea, cois-shleihhe  [cushleva],  at  the  foot  of  the  sliahh 
or  mountain,  i.  e.  the  Galties.  Coshma,  Cois-Maighe 
[ma],  the  barony  along  the  river  Maigue. 

Craan,  Craane  ;  a  stony  place  (from  cai-r). 

Crag,  Craig ;  other  forms  of  carraig,  a  rock. 

Cran ;    Craiin,  a  tree. 

Cranfield;  a  corruption  of  GreamTi-choill  [Cravwhill], 
the  wood  {colli)  of  wild  garlic  (creamh). 

Crannagh  ;  a  place  abounding  in  cranns  or  trees. 

Crannoge ;  a  habitation  on  an  artificial  island  in  a  lake. 

Cranny ;  the  same  as  Crannagh. 

Cratloe,  Crataloe ;  sallow  wood. 

Craughwell ;  Creamh-choill,  wild  garlic  wood. 

Crecora  in  Limerick ;  Craehh-cumhraidhe  [Crave-coory] 
O'Dugan,  sweet  scented  creeve  or  branchy  tree. 

Creevagh  ;  a  branchy  place  (craehh). 

Creeve ;  Craehh  [creeve],  a  branch,  a  branchy  tree. 

Creevelea  ;  grey  branch  or  branchy  tree. 

Creevy  ;  the  same  as  Creevagh. 

Creg,  Cregg ;  Creag^  a  rock. 
d2 


36  Irish  Local  Names  explained, 

Creggan,  Creggane,  Creggaun  ;  little  rock,  rocky  ground. 
Cremorne   barony   in  Monaghan  ;     Crioch  -  Mughdhorn 

[Cree-Mourne],  the  country  {crioch)  of  the  tribe  of 

MugMhorna   [Mourna],    who   were   descended   and 

named  from  Mughdhorn  [Mourne],  the  son  of  Colla 

Meann,  one   of  the  three   brothers  who  conquered 

Ulster,  and  destroyed  the  palace  of  Emania  in  A.  D. 

332. 
Crew ;  the  same  name  as  Creeve. 
Croagh  ;   Cruach,  a  rick  or  stacked  up  hill. 
Croaghan,  Croaghaun  ;  a  round  or  piled  up  hill. 
Croaghpatrick  ;  St,  Patrick's  rick  or  hill. 
Crock  is  very  generally  used  in  the  northern  half  of 

Ireland  instead  of  Knock,  a  hill. 
Crockanure  ;   Cnoc-an-iuhhair,  the  hill  of  the  yew. 
Crogh ;  the  same  as  Croagh. 
Croghan,  Crohane  ;  the  same  as  Croaghan. 
Crossakeel ;  slender  crosses. 
Crossan,  Crossane,  Crossaun  ;  little  cross. 
Crossboyne  ;  Cros-Baeithin,  Hy  F.,  Baeithins  or  Boyne's 

cross. 
Crosserlough ;  the  cross  on  {air)  or  near  the  lake. 
Crossgar ;  short  cross. 
Crossmaglen  in  Armagh  ;  Gros-meg-Fhloinn  [Cros-meg- 

lin :  fh  silent],  the  cross  of  Flann's  son. 
Crossmolina    in   Mayo;     Cros '  ui- Mhaelfhina,  F.  M., 

O'MuUeeny's  or  Mullany's  cross. 
Crossoge ;  little  cross. 
Crossreagh  ;  grey  cross  {riahhach). 
Crott ;   Cruit,  a  hump,  a  humpy  backed  hill. 
Cruagh  ;  the  same  as  Croagh. 
Cruit ;  the  same  as  Crott. 
Crumlin,   Cromlin;  Cruim-ghlinn,   [Crumlin],   F.  M., 

curved  glen. 
Crusheen  ;  Croisin,  little  cross. 
Cuilbeg,  Cuilmore  ;  little  wood,  great  wood  (coill). 
Culdaff;  Cul-dahhach  [Culdava],  the  back  (c«Z)  of  tlie 

flax-dam  or  pool. 
Culfeightrin  in  Antrim ;   Cuil-eachtrann  [Coolaghtran], 

the  corner  {cuil)  of  the  strangers. 
Cullan,  Cullane,  Cullaun  ;  a  place  of  hazels  {coll) 


Irish  Local  Names  cxjylained.  37 

Culleen  ;  CoilUn,  little  wood. 

Cullen  ;  Cuillionn  [Cullen],  holly,  holly  land. 

Cullenagh ;  a  place  producing  holly. 

Cullentrg,  Cullentragh  ;  same  as  Cullenagh. 

Cullenwaine  in  King's  County  ;  Cuil-0-nDiihhain  [Cool- 
onuan],  F.  M.,  the  corner  or  angle  of  the  O'Duanes. 

Cullion  ;  the  same  as  Cullen. 

Cully ;  woodland  ;  from  coill. 

CulmuUen  in  Meath ;  the  angle  of  the  mill. 

Cumber,  Cummer.     See  page  4. 

Curra,  Curragh ;  currach,  generally  a  marsh  ;  some- 
times a  race  course. 

Uurrabaha,  Currabeha  ;  the  marsh  of  the  birch. 

Curraghbeg  ;  little  marsh. 

Curraghboy ;  yellow  marsh. 

CurraghdufF ;  black  marsh. 

Curraghlahan,  Curraghlane ;  broad  marsh. 

CuiTaghmore ;  great  marsh. 

Curragh  of  Kildare.  The  word  here  means  a  race 
course :  the  Curragh  of  Kildare  has  been  used  as  a 
race  course  from  the  earliest  ages. 

Currahecn  ;  little  currach  or  marsh. 

Curry ;  another  form  of  Curragh,  a  marsh. 

Cush.     See  Coshbride. 

Cushendall  in  Antrim  ;  Cot's-ahhann-Dhalla  [Cush-oun- 
dalla],  the  foot  or  termination  of  the  river  Dull. 

Cushendun  in  Antrim ;  called  by  the  F.  M.,  Bun- 
ahhann-Duine,  the  end,  i.  e.  tlie  mouth  of  the  river 
Dun ;  this  was  afterMards  changed  to  Cois-ahhann- 
Diiine  [Cush-oun-Dunny]  by  the  substitution  of  Co/«, 
the  foot  or  end  for  Bun. 

Cutteen  ;   Coitchionn  [cutteen],  common,  a  commonage. 

Dalkey  Island  near  Dublin.  The  Irish  name  is  Belg- 
inis  (O'C.  Cal.),  thorn  island;  which  the  Danes,  who 
had  a  fortress  on  it  in  the  tenth  century,  translated 
to  the  present  name,  by  changing  Beig  into  their 
word  Dalk,  a  thorn  ;  and  substituting  the  northern 
word  ey,  an  island,  for  inis. 

Dangan  ;  Dainijean  [dangan],  a  fortress. 

Dangandargan  in  Tipperary  ;  Dargan's  fortress. 

Darragh ;  a  place  producing  oaks  (dair\ 


38  Irish  Local  Names  explained. 

Darraragh,  Darrery  ;  an  oak  forest,  a  place  abounding 
in  oaks  {Dairbhreach). 

Dawros ;  Damhros,  the  peninsula  of  oxen  {damh  and 
ros). 

Deelis,  Deelish  ;  Duihh-lios  [Divlis],  black  lis  or  fort. 

Delvin.  There  were  formerlj'  seven  tribes  called  Dealhh- 
na  [Dalvana],  descended  and  named  from  Lugh- 
aidh  Benlhhaeth  [Lewy  Dalway],  who  was  the  son 
of  Cas  mac  Tail  (seventh  in  descent  from  Olioll 
Olum  :  see  Connello),  the  ancestor  of  the  Dalcassians 
of  Thomond  :  Dealhhna,  i.  e.  DeallhaetlCs  descendants. 
None  of  these  have  perpetuated  their  name  except 
one,  viz.,  Dealbhna  mor,  or  the  great  Dealhhna,  from 
whom  the  barony  of  Delvin  in  Westmeath  received 
its  name. 

Dernish,  Derinch,  Derinish;  oak  island  («7aiV). 

Derrada,  Derradd  ;  Loire-fhada,  long  oak  grove, 

Derragh  ;  the  same  as  Darragh. 

Derreen  ;  little  derry  or  oak  grove  or  wood. 

Derreens,  Derries  ;  oak  groves. 

Derry  ;  Doire  [Derry],  an  oak  grove  or  wood. 

Derryad,  Derryadda ;  Doire-fhada,  long  oak  wood. 

Derrybane,  Lerrybawn  ;  whitish  oak  wood. 

Derrybeg ;  little  oak  wood. 

Derrycreevy;  the  oak  wood  of  the  branchy  tree. 

Derrydorragh,  Derrydorraghy ;  dark  oak  wood  (dorcha). 

Derryduff;  black  oak  wood. 

Derryfadda;  long  oak  wood. 

Derrygarriff,  Derrygarve  ;  rough  oak  wood  {garlh). 

Derrylahan,  Derrylane;  broad  oak  wood  {leathan). 

Derrylea ;  grey  oak  wood. 

Derrylough,  Derryloughan ;  the  oak  wood  of  the  lake. 

Derrymore  ;  great  oak  wood. 

Derrynahinch ;  the  oak  wood  of  the  island  or  river 
meadow  {inis). 

Derrynane  in  Kerry;  Do/r^-i^A/owam  [Derry-Eenane: 
Fh  silent],  the  oak  grove  of  St.  Finan  Cam,  a  native 
of  Corkaguiny,  who  flourished  in  the  sixth  century. 

Derrynaseer ;  the  oak  grove  of  the  saers  or  carpenters. 

Derry vullan  in  Fermanagh;  Doire-Jfaclcmi  [Dcrry- 
Velan  :  J/" aspirated],  F.  M.,  Maelau's  oak  grove. 

Desert  :  Disert,  a  desert  or  hArmitafre. 


Iriii'i  Lul-'ja  X -lines  explained.  39 

Desertcreat ;    comipted   from   Diserida-  Chrioeh  [Di- 
sert-a-cree],  F.M.,  the  hermitage  of  the  two  ter- 
ritories. 
Desertegny ;  Egnagh's  hermitage. 
Desertmartin ;  Martin's  hermitage. 
Desertmore ;  great  desert  or  hermitage. 
Desert^erges  in  Cork  ;  Saerghus's  hermitage. 
Devenish  Island  in  Lough  Erne ;  Daimhinis  [Davinish], 

F.  M.,  the  island  of  the  oxen  {damh). 
Diamor ;  written  in  the  Dinnseanchus,  Diamar,  i.  e.,  a 

solitude. 
Dingle ;  from  Dingin,  another  form  of  Daingean,  a  for- 
tress, by  a  change  of  n  to  /  (see  page  3).     Called  ia 
the  annals,  Daingean-ui-Chiis,  now  usually  written 
Dingle-I-Coush,  the  fortress  of  O'Cush,  the  ancient 
proprietor. 
Dinish,  Deenish;  Duthh-iniis  [Divinish],  black  island. 
Disert;  the  same  as  Desert. 

Donabate ;  Domhnack-a' -hhaid,  the  church  of  the  boat. 
Donagh;  Domhnach  [DownaghJ,  a  church. 
Donaghcloney  in  Down;  the  church  of  the  cltmin  or 

meadow. 
Donaghcumper  in  Kildare;  the  church  of  the  cummer  or 

confluence. 
Donaghedy  in  Tyrone ;  Domhnach-  Chaeide  [^Donaheedj], 
the  church  of  St.  Caidoc,  a  companion  of  St.  Colum- 
banus. 
Donaghmorc;  great  church. 
Donaghmoyne  in   Monaghan ;  Domhnach- Mafghin^  the 

church  of  the  little  plain. 
Donard ;  high  dun  or  fort. 

Donegal.     The  Danes  had  a  settlement  there  before  the 

Anglo-Norman  invasion  ;   and  hence  it  was  called 

Dun-na-nGall  LDoonagall],  the  fortress  of  the  Galls 

or  foreigners. 

Doneraile  in  Cork ;    written  in  the  Book  of  Lismore 

Dun-air-aiU,  the  fortress  on  the  cliff. 
Donnybrook  ;  Domhnach- Broc,  St.  Broc's  church. 
Donnycarney ;  Cearnach^s  or  Carney's  church. 
Donohill ;  the  fortress  of  the  yew  wood  {eochaiU). 
Oonore;    Dun-uaf>hair  [_DunoorJ,  F.  M.    the   fort  of 
pride. 


40  Iri>>lt.  Local  Names  explained. 

Doogary;  DulMhoire  [Dooary],  black  derry  or  oak 
wood. 

Doon ;  Dun,  a  fortress. 

Doonaii,  Doonane ;  little  dun  or  fort. 

Doonard;  high  fort. 

Doonass  near  Killaloe;  Dun-easa,  the  fortress  of  the 
cataract,  i.  e.  the  great  rapid  on  the  Shannon. 

Doonbeg ;  little  fortress. 

Doondonnell;  Donall's  fortress. 

Dooneen;  little  fort. 

Doonfeeny ;  the  fort  of  Finna  (a  woman). 

Doonisky,  Dunisky;  the  fort  of  the  water  {uisge). 

Doonooney;  Una's  fort. 

Douglas ;  Dubh-ghlaise,  black  stream. 

Down ;  a  form  of  Dun,  a  fortress. 

Downings;  Dooneens  or  little  forts. 

Downpatrick  takes  its  name  from  the  large  entrenched 
dun  near  the  cathedral.  In  the  first  century  this 
fortress  was  the  residence  of  a  warrior  of  the  Eed 
Branch  Knights,  called  Celtchair,  or  Xeltar  of  the 
battles,  from  whom  it  is  called  in  Irish  authorities, 
Dunkeltar.  By  ecclesiastical  writers  it  is  commonly 
called  Dun-da-letJi-glas,  the  fortress  of  the  two  broken 
locks  {glas)  or  fetters.  This  long  name  was  afterwards 
shortened  to  Dun  or  Down,  whicli  was  extended  to 
the  county.  The  name  of  St.  Patrick  was  added,  to 
commemorate  his  connexion  with  the  place. 

Downs;  duns  ox  iovis. 

Dreen;  Draeighean  [drecan],  the  blackthorn. 

Dreenagh;  a  place  producing  blackthorns. 

Drcenan;  blackthorn,  a  place  of  blackthorns. 

Drehidtarsna  in  Limerick;  cross  bridge. 

Dressoge,  Dressogagh ;  a  briery  or  bushy  place. 

Dresternagh,  Dresternan,  Dristernan;  same  as  Dres- 
soge. 

Drim ;  a  form  of  druim,  a  ridge. 

Drimecn,  Drimmeen;  little  ridge. 

Drimna,  Drimnagh;  ridges,  a  place  full  of  ridges  or 
hills. 

Drinagh,  Drinaghan ;  a  place  producing  dreens  or  black- 
thorns. 


Iiiiii  LuiUi  2si'iiiLi  e.'j'iUi/ii  tl.  41 

Drinan,  Drinaiin;  the  same  as  Drecnan. 
Drishaghaun,  Drishaiie,  Drishoge;  same  as  Ih-essoge, 
Droghed ;  Droichead,  a  bridge. 

Drogheda;     Broiched-aiha   [Drohedaha],    P.M.,     the 
bridge  of  the  ford;  from  the  ford  across  the  Boyne, 
used  before  the  erection  of  a  bridge. 
Drom ;  Druim,  a  ridge  or  long  hill. 
Dromada,  Dromadda ;  long  drum  or  ridge. 
Drombcg,  Drumbeg;  small  ridge. 
Droracolliher  in  Limerick;  a  corruption  of  Druim- Coll- 
choille  [Drum-Collohill],  the  ridge  of  the  hazel  wood. 
Dromdaleague  in  Cork;  the  ridge  of  the  two  Uags  or 

pillar  stones. 
DromgarrifF;  rough  ridge. 
Dromin ;  same  meaning  as  Drom. 
Dromineer  in  Tipperary ;  Druim-t'nhhtr  [Druminver], 
the  ridge  of  the  itiver  or  river  mouth  :  because  it  is 
situated  near  where  the  Xcnagh  river  enters  Lough 
Derg. 
Dromkeen;  beautiful  ridge. 
Dromore ;  great  ridge  or  long  hill. 
Dromtrasna;  cross  ridge. 
Drum ;  Druim,  a  ridge  or  long  hill. 
Druraad;  Driiimfhada,  long  ridge. 
Dromadoon ;  the  ridge  of  the  dun  or  fort. 
Dnimahaire   in    Leitrim  ;    Druim-da-ethiar    [Drum-a- 

ehir],  F.  M.,  the  ridge  of  the  two  air-demons. 
Drumanure ;  the  ridge  of  the  yew  tree. 
Drumany,  Drummany;  ridges,  ridged  land. 
Drumard  ;  high  ridge  or  long  hill. 
Drumatemple;  the  ridge  of  the  temple  or  church. 
Drumavaddy ;  the  ridge  of  the  dog  {madadh). 
Drumballyroney ;  the  ridge  of  O'Roney's  town. 
Dnimbine,  Drumbaun ;  white  ridge. 
Drumbai-net,  the  ridge  of  the  gap  (hearna). 
Drumbo,  Drumboe;  Druimho,  F.  M.,  the  cow's  ridge. 
Drumbrughas;  the  ridge  of  the  farm-house. 
Drumcanon  ;  the  ridge  of  the  white-faced  cow  :  ceann- 

fhionn  [canon],  whitehead. 
Drumcar  in  Louth ;  Druim-caradh  FDrumcara],  F.  M., 
the  ridge  of  the  weir. 


42  Irish  Local  Names  explained. 

DrumclifFin  Sligo;  Dnum-chliabh  [Druracleev],  F.  M., 

the  ridge  of  the  baskets. 
Drumcolumb;  St.  Columba's  ridge. 
Drumcondra;  Conra's  ridge. 
Dmmcrin ;  the  ridge  of  the  tree  {crann). 
Drum  crow ;  the  ridge  of  the  cattle  sheds  (cro). 
Drumcullen,  Drumcullion  ;  the  ridge  of  holly. 
Drumderg ;  Druim-dearg,  red  ridge. 
Druraduff ;  Druim-dubh,  black  ridge. 
Drumfad  ;  Druim-fada,  long  ridge. 
Drumgill  ;  the  ridge  of  the  Gall  or  foreigner. 
Drumgoose,  Drumgose;  the  ridge  of  the  caves  {cuas). 
Drumgowna,  Drumgownagh ;  Druim-gamhnach,  the  ridge 

of  the  heifers. 
Drumharriff,  DrumherrifF;  Druim-thairhh  [Drum-har- 

rivj,  the  ridge  of  the  bull. 
Drumhillagh ;  see  page  2. 
Drumhirk  ;  Briiim-thidrc,  the  ridge  of  the  boar. 
Drumhome  in  Donegal.      In   O'C.   Cal.  the  name  is 
written  Druim-Thuama  [Drumhooma],  and  Adam- 
nan  translates  it  Dorsum  Tommae,  the  ridge  of  Tomma, 
a  pagan  woman's  name. 
Drumillard,  Drummillar ;  the  eagle's  ridge  (iolar). 

Drumkeen ;  beautiful  ridge. 

Drumkeeran ;  the  ridge  of  the  quicken  trees. 

Drumlane;  Druim-leathan  [lahan],  F.  M.,  broad  ridge. 

Drumlease ;  JJruim-Uas,  the  ridge  of  the  huts. 

Drumlish  ;  the  ridge  of  the  lis  or  fort. 

Drumlougher ;  the  ridge  of  the  rushes  (luachra). 

Drumman  ;  same  meaning  as  Drum. 

Drummeen;  little  ridge. 

Druramin  ;  same  meaning  as  Drum. 

Drummond;  a  corrupt  form  of  Drumman.     See  page  4. 

Drummuck ;  the  ridge  of  the  pigs  (nmc). 

Drummully ;  the  ridge  of  the  summit  {mullach), 

Drumnacross;  the  ridge  of  the  cross. 

Drumneen;  little  ridge. 

Drumquin  ;  Druim-  Chuinn,  Conn's  ridge. 

Drumraine,  Drumrainy  ;  ferny  ridge  (rdlhatn). 

Drumrcugh  ;  Bniim-riabbuch,  grey  ridge. 

Drumioe;  J)>utm-ruudh,ivd  jidg«. 


Irls^  Local  Hames  explained.  43 

Dramroosk ;  the  ridge  of  the  ruosk  or  marsh. 

Drumshallon  ;  the  ridge  of  the  gallows  (sealan). 

Drumshanbo ;  the  ridge  of  the  old  loth  or  tent  (scan, 
old). 

Drumsillagh;  see  page  2. 

Drumsna,  Drumsnauv ;  Druim-snamha  [snawa],  the 
ridge  of  the  swimming.     See  Lixnaw. 

Drumsurn  ;  the  ridge  of  the  furnace  or  kiln  (sorn). 

Duagh  in  Kerry;  Dulh-ath  [Dooah], black  ford,  from  a 
ford  on  the  river  Feale. 

Dublin.  The  name  is  written  in  the  annols  Duihh- 
linn  [Duvlin],  which,  in  some  of  the  Latin  Lives  of 
the  saints,  is  translated  Nigra  therma,  black  pool ;  it 
was  originally  the  name  of  that  part  of  the  Liffey  on 
which  the  city  is  built,  and  is  sufficiently  descriptive 
at  the  present  day.  In  very  early  ages  an  artificial 
ford  of  hurdles  was  constructed  across  the  Liffey, 
where  the  main  road  from  Tara  to  "Wicklow  crossed 
the  river ;  and  the  city  that  subsequently  sprung  up 
around  it  was  called  from  this  circumstance  Ath' 
cliath  [Ah-clee],  F.  M.,  the  ford  of  hurdles,  which  was 
the  ancient  name  of  Dublin.  This  name  is  still  used 
by  speakers  of  Irish  in  every  part  of  Ireland ;  but 
they  join  it  to  Bally — Baile-atha-cliath  (which  they 
pronounce  Blaa-clee),  the  town  of  the  hurdle  ford. 

Dufferin,  barony  of,  in  Down  ;  I>uhh-thrian  [Duv-reen], 

F.  M.,  the  black  treeii  or  third  part. 
Duhallow  in  Cork ;  Duthaigh-Ealla  [Doohy-alla],  F.  M., 
the  district  of  the  Alio,  from  the  Blackwater  river,  a 
portion  of  which  was  anciently  called  the  Alio. 
Dulane  in  Meath ;  Tuilen,  F.  M.,  little  tulach  or  hill. 
Duleek  in  Meath ;  Laimhliag  [Davleeg],  O'C.  Cal.,  stone 

house  or  church  {daimh,  a  house,  and  Hag). 
Dunamase  in  Queen's  County;  should  have  been  called 
Dunmask,  for  the  Irish  name  is  Bun-Masg,  F.  M., 
the  fortress  of  Masg,  who  was  one  of  the  ancestors  of 
the  Leinster  people. 
Dunamon  in  Galway;  so  called  from  a  castle  of  the 
same  name  on  the  Suck ;  but  the  name,  which  the 
annalists  write  Dun-Iomgain,  Imgan's  fort,  was  an- 
ciently applied  to  a  dun,  which  is  still  partly  pre- 
served. 


44  Irish  Loc  al  Names  explained. 

Dunboe  in  Deny  ;  the  fortress  of  the  cow. 

Dunboyne;  Dun-Baeithin,  Bacithiti's  orBoyne's  fort. 

Duncannon ;  Conan's  fortress. 

Duncormick ;  Cormac's  fortress. 

Dundalk.  The  name  was  originally  applied  to  the  great 
fortress  now  called  the  moat  of  Castletown,  a  mile 
inland,  which  was  the  residence  of  Cuchullin,  chief 
of  the  Eed  Branch  knights  in  the  first  century.  Dim- 
Dealgan  [Dalgan],  F.  M.,  the  fortress  of  Dclga,  a 
Firbolg  chief,  who  built  it. 

Dunderrow  in  Cork  ;  written  Dun-dermaigi  [Dundar- 
wah]  in  the  Book  of  Leinster,  the  fortress  of  the  oak- 
plain  (see  Durrow) :  and  the  large  dun  from  which  it 
received  the  name  is  still  in  existence,  half  a  mile 
south  of  the  village. 

Dundonald  in  Down,  Donall's  fortress ;  so  called  from 
a  fort  that  stands  not  far  from  the  church. 

Dundrum  ;  Dun-droma,  F.  M.,  the  fortress  on  the  ridge 
or  hill. 

Duneane  in  Antrim ;  written  in  the  Felire  of  Aengus, 
Dun-da-en  [Dun-a-ain],  the  fortress  of  the  two  birds. 

Dunfanaghy;  i>MM-7<Yo»nf/<on  [Finahan],  Finchu' s  iort. 

Dungannon  in  Tyrone;  Dun-Geanainn  [Gannin],  F.  M., 
GeanarCs  or  Gannon's  fortress. 

Dungarvan;  Dun-Garhhain,  F.  M.,  Garvan's  fortress. 

Dunhill ;  Bun-aille,  the  fortress  of  the  cliff. 

Dunkineely  in  Donegal  ;  Jhin-mhic-Chionnfhaelaidh 
[Dunvickaneely],  Mackinecly's  fort. 

Dunkit;   Ct'a^s  or  ICeth's  fortiTss. 

Dunleer  in  Louth.  Old  name  Land-lcri  (Book  of  Lein- 
ster), the  church  {land  or  lann)  of  austerity.  Present 
name  formed  by  substituting  dvn  a  fort  for  lann. 

Dunluce  castle  near  the  Giant's  Causeway ;  Dunlios, 
F.  M.,  strong  lios  or  fort.  Dim  is  here  an  adjective, 
meaning  strong. 

Dunmanway  in  Cork.  Old  name  Dun-na-mbeann  [Dun- 
aman],  F.  M.,  the  fortress  of  the  gables  or  pinnacles. 
The  last  sylhible  tvaij  is  from  bw'dhe  yellow  [bwee , 
or  with  the  b  aspirated,  wee]  :— Dunmanway,  the 
fortress  of  the  5'cllow  pinnacles. 

Dunmore;  gi-eat  fort- 


Irish  Local  Names  explained.  45 

Dunmurry;   Dun-Muireadhaigh,  Murray's  fort. 

Dunquin  in  Kerry  ;  Dun-caein  [DunkeenJ,  F.  M.,  beau- 
tiful fort. 

Dunshaughlin  in  Meath.  A  church  was  founded  here 
for  bishop  Sechnall  or  Secundiiius,  St.  Patrick's  ne- 
phew; and  hence  it  was  called  Domhnach-SeachnaiU 
fDonna-Shaughnill],  F.  M.,  the  church  of  St.  Secli- 
nall,  which  has  been  shortened  to  the  present  name. 

Duntryleague  in  Limerick.  According  to  a  passage  in 
the  Book  of  Lisraore,  a  dun  or  palace  was  built  here 
for  Cormac  Cas,  son  of  Olioll  Olum  (see  Connello); 
and  his  bed  was  supported  by  three  liagdns  or  pillar 
stones,  from  which  the  place  was  called  Bun-tri-Uag, 
the  fortress  of  the  three  Hags  or  pillar  stones. 

Durrow  in  King's  County,  a  favourite  residence  of  St. 
Columbkille.  Venerable  Bede  has  a  short  passage  in 
his  Eccl.  Hist.  (lib.  iii.,  cap.  iv.),  in  which  the  ori- 
ginal form  and  translation  of  this  name  are  given  : — 
"  Before  he  (Columba)  passed  over  into  Britain,  he 
had  built  a  noble  monastery  in  Ireland,  which,  from 
the  great  number  of  oaks,  is  in  the  Scotic  (Irish) 
language  called  Dearmhagh  [DarwahJ,  the* field  of 
the  oaks"  {dair  and  magh). 

Dysart  and  Dysert ;  the  same  as  Desert. 

Dysartenos  in  Queen's  County.  St.  Aengus  the  Culdee, 
who  died  in  the  year  824,  built  a  cell  for  himself 
here ;  and  hence  the  place  was  called  Disert-Aenghusa^ 
Aengus's  hermitage. 

Easky  in  Sligo ;  from  the  river  : — lascach  [Eeska], 
fishy  (from  iasg,  a  fish). 

Eden:  ijudoti  [edan],  the  brow;  a  hill  brow. 

Edenderry ;  the  hill  brow  of  the  oak  wood. 

Edenmore ;  great  hill  brow. 

Edergole,  Edergoole  ;  see  Addergoole. 

Eglish  ;  a  church ;  same  as  Aglish. 

Eighter ;  locktar  [eeter],  lower. 

Eliogarty  in  Tipperary ;  a  shortened  form  of  Ely  O'Fo- 
garty  (shortened  by  having  the/aspirated  and  omitted : 
see  page  2),  O'Fogarty's  £lg,  so  called  from  its  ancient 
possessors  the  O'Fogartys.     See  Ely. 

Elphin  in  Roscommon.     St.  Patrick  founded  a  church 


46  Irish  Local  Names  explained. 

here  near  a  spring,  over  which  stood  a  large  fitone ; 
and  hence  the  place  was  called  Aill-Jinn,  which  Col- 
gan  interprets  the  rock  {aill)  of  the  clear  spring  {Jinn 
white,  clear). 

Ely.  The  different  tribes  called  Mle  or  Ely  were  so 
named  from  their  ancestor  Eile,  the  seventh  in  descent 
from  Cian,  son  of  Olioll  Olum  (see  Connello). 

Emlagh  ;  Imleach  [Imlagh],  land  bordering  on  a  lake  ; 
and  hence  a  marshy  or  swampy  place. 

Emly  in  Tipperary.  St.  Ailbhe  founded  his  establish- 
ment here  in  the  fifth  centmy,  on  the  margin  of  a 
lake,  which  has  been  only  lately  drained.  The  place 
is  called  in  the  Irish  authorities  Imleach-iolhair  [yure], 
the  lake-marsh  of  the  yew  tree. 

Emlygrennan  in  Limerick ;  a  corruption  of  the  Irish 
name  Bile-Ghroidhn'in  [Billa-Gryneen],  Grynan's  an- 
cient tree. 

Enagh,  the  name  of  twenty  townlands.  Sometimes 
Aenach,  a  fair  ;  sometimes  JSanach,  a  marsh, 

Ennereilly  in  Wicklow  ;  Inhher-Daeile  [Invereela], 
F.  M.,  the  inver  or  mouth  of  the  river  formerly  called 
the  Deel,  now  the  Pennycomequick. 

Ennis  ;  inis,  an  island  ;  a  meadow  along  a  river. 

Enniskeen ;  Inis-caein  [keen],  E.  M.,  beautiful  island 
or  river  meadow. 

Enniskerry;  ^^A-wa-scaw-JAe  [Annascarvy],  the  ford  of 
the  scarriff  or  rough  river-crossing ;  from  an  ancient 
stony  ford  where  the  old  road  crosses  the  river. 

Enniskillen;  Inis-Cethlenn  [Kehlen],  F,  M.,  the  island 
of  KetJilenn,  wife  of  Balor,  the  Fomorian  king  of 
Tory  Island. 

Ennistimon;  Inis-Diomain,  F.  M.,  Biaman^s  river 
meadow. 

Errigal;  Aireagal,  a  habitation,  a  small  church. 

Errigal  Keeroge  in  Tyrone  ;  Aireagal  Dachiarog  [Da- 
keeroge],  F.  M.,  the  church  of  St.  Dachiarog. 

Errigal  Trough  in  Monaghan;  the  church  of  (the 
barony  of)  Trough. 

Esker ;  Eiscir,  a  sandhill. 

Eskeragh,  Eskragh;  a  place  full  oi  esTcen. 

Ess,  Essan,  Essaun;  a  waterfall. 


Irish  Local  Names  explained.  47 

Estersnow  in  Roscommon ;  a  strange  corruption  from  the 
Irish  Disert- Nuadhan  (Nooan),  F.  M.,  the  hermitage 
of  St.  Nuadha  (Nooa).  Disert  is  often  corrupted  to 
ister,  ester,  tirs,  iristle,  &c. 

Faddan  ;  Feadan,  a  small  brook. 

Faha,  Fahy;  an  exercise  green.  See  i^<»YA<;A^  in  Voca- 
bulary. 

Farnagh,  Famane,  Farnoge ;  a  place  ofFeams  [Farns], 
or  alders. 

Farney  in  Monaghan ;  Fearnmhagh  (Famvah),  Book  of 
R.,  the  alder  plain  {/earn  and  magh). 

Farran ;  Fearann,  land. 

Farset,  Farsid ;  Fearsad,  a  sandbank  in  a  river. 

Fartagh,  Fertagh ;  a  place  of  graves  {feart). 

Fasagh,  Fassagh ;  a  wilderness  (Fdsach). 

Fassadinin  in  Kilkenny;  the  fasagh  or  wilderness  of,  or 
near,  the  river  Dinin. 

Feagh ;  Fiodhach  [Feeagh],  a  woody  place  (Jidh). 

Fearmore ;  great  grass  (feur)  or  grassy  place. 

Feddan;  the  same  as  Faddan. 

Feenagh ;  Fiodhnach  [Feenagh],  woody  (Jidh) ;  a  woody 
place. 

Feighcullen  in  Kildare ;  Fiodh- Chuiltnn,  F.  M.,  CuUen's 
wood. 

Fenagh ;  the  same  as  Feenagh. 

Fennor  ;  Fionnalhair  [Finner],  F.  M.,  white  field. 

Fermanagh;  so  called  from  the  tribe  of  Fir-Monach, 
(O'Dugan),  the  men  of  Monach,  who  were  origi- 
nally a  Leinster  tribe,  so  named  from  their  ancestor, 
Monach,  fifth  in  descent  from  Cahirmore,  monarch  of 
Ireland  from  a.  d.  120  to  123. 

Fermoy  in  Cork ;  Feara-muighe  [Farra-moy],  O'Dugan, 
the  men  of  the  plain. 

Fermoyle  ;  Formaeil,  a  round  hill, 

Femagh,  Ferney ;  same  as  Farnagh. 

Ferns  ;  Fearna  [Farna],  F.  M.,  alders,  a  place  abound- 
ing in  alders:  English  plural  termination  added. 

Ferrard,  barony  of,  in  Louth ;  Feara-arda  [Farra-arda], 
F.  M.,  the  men  of  the  height,  i.  e.  of  Slieve  Bregh. 

Fethard;  Fiodh-ard  [Feeard],  F.  M.,  high  wood. 

Fews,  baronies  of,  in  Armagh;  Feadha  [^'a.'],  F.  M., 


48  Irish  Local  Names  explained. 

woods;  with  the  English  plural  termination  added. 
Fews  in  "VVaterford  has  the  same  origin. 

riddan,  Fiddane,  Fiddaun ;  same  as  Faddan. 

Fiddown  in  Kilkenny ;  Fidh-duin  [Feedoon],  F.  M., 
the  Avood  of  the  dun  or  fort. 

Fingall,  a  district  lying  north  of  Dublin,  in  which  the 
Danes  settled;  and  hence  it  was  called  F'me-G(dl 
(O'C.  Cal.),  the  territory  or  tribe  (/hie)  of  the  Galls 
or  foreigners. 

Finglas;  clear  stream  {fionn,  white,  clear;  and  glaise). 

Finn  river  and  lake  in  Donegal ;  Loch-Finne,  the  lake 
of  Finna,  a  woman,  about  whom  there  is  an  interest- 
ing legend.  The  river  took  its  name  from  the  lake. 
See  Origin  and  History  of  Irish  Names  of  Places, 
page  167. 

Finnea  in  "Westmeath ;  Fidh-an-atha  [Fee-an-aha] 
F.  M.,  the  wood  of  the  ford. 

Fintona;  Fionn-tamhnach  [Fintowna],  F.  M.,  fair  co- 
loured field. 

Foil ;  Faill,  a  cliff. 

Foilduff;  black  cliff. 

Forenaght,  Forenaghts,  Fornaght,  Farnaght;  For- 
nocht,  a  bare,  naked,  or  exposed  hilh 

Formil,  Formoyle,  Formweel ;  same  as  Fermoj'le. 

Forth.  The  descendants  of  Ohy  Finn  Fothart  [Fohart], 
brother  of  Conn  of  the  hundred  battles  (king  of  Ire- 
land from  A.  D.  123  to  158),  were  coXiiiH  Futharta 
[Foharta],  Book  of  II.  Some  of  them  settled  in  the 
present  counties  of  Wexford  and  Carlow,  where  the 
two  baronies  of  Forth  still  retain  their  name. 

Foy,  Foygh  ;  forms  of  Faithche.   See  Faha. 

Foybeg,  Foymore ;  little  and  great  exercise  green. 

Foyduff  ;  black  exercise  green. 

Foyle;  same  as  Foil. 

Freagh,  Frcugh     Fraech,  heath,  a  heathy  place. 

Freaghduff,  FrccdufF;  black  heath. 

Freaghillan,  Freaghillaun ;  heathy  island  {pileun). 

Freshford  ;  Irish  wamc  Achadh-ur  i]^ook  ofLeiuster), 
Avhich  should  have  been  translated  Freshfield:  Achadh 
was  mistaken  for  atli. 

Freughmore,  Freaghmore ;  great  heath. 


/'r'l-ih.  Lo<:'.:(  S'd/ics  e.rpyiincd.  49 

Fancheon^;  Fuinnseann  [Funshin],  the  ash  tree:   the 

ash-prodiicing  river. 
Funshin,  Funshinagh,   Funshog,   Funshoge;    a  place 

producing  ash  trees  {fuinnse). 
Galbally,  Gallavally,  Galvallj',  Galwally ;  English  town  5 

Gall  here  means  an  Englishman. 
Galboley,  Galboola,   Galbooley,  Galwolie ;   a  hooUy  or 

dairy  place  belonging  to  Galls  or  English  people. 
Gallagh  ;  a  place  full  of  rocks  or  standing  stones.     See 

Gall  in  Vocabulary. 
Gallan,  Gallane  ;  Gallon,  a  standing  stone. 
Gallon.     The  descendants  of  Cormac    Gaileng,   groat 

grandson  of  Olioll  Olum  (see  Connello),  were  called 

Gailenga  (O'Dugan),  the  race  of  Gaileng,  and  they 

gave  name  to  the  barony  of  Gallen  in  Mayo. 
Gallon  is  used  in  Cavan  to  signify  a  measure  of  land. 
Gallow ;  another  form  of  Gallagh,  which  see. 
Gardrum,  Gargrim  ;   Gearr-dhruiin,  short  ridge  or  hill : 

d  changed  to  g  in  Gargrira  (see  p.  4). 
Garnavillain  Tipperary ;  G^flr;a/?-a'-Wj7tf[Garranavilla], 

the  shrubbery  of  the  bile  or  old  tree. 
Garracloon  ;   Garhh-chhiain,  rough  meadow. 
Garran,  Garrane,  Garraun  ;   Garrdn,  a  shrubbery. 
Garranamanagh  ;  the  shrubbeiy  of  the  monks  (^manach). 
Garranbane,  Garraubaun ;  white  shrubbery. 
Garranekinnefeake ;  Kinnefeake's  shrubbery. 
Uarry  ;  a  garden  {garrdha). 
Garryard ;  high  garden. 
Garrycastle.     The  Mac  Coghlans'  castle,  near  Banaghcr 

in  King's  County,  is  called  in  the  annals  Garrdha-an- 

chaidein  [Garraucashlane],  the  garden  of  the  castle ; 

and  fiom  this  the  modern  name  Gariycastle  has  been 

foi-med,  and  extended  to  the  bai'ony. 
GarrydufF;  black  garden  (duhh). 
Garrymore ;  great  garden. 
Garryowen  near  Limerick  ;  Owen's  garden. 
Garrysallagh  ;  dirty  garden  {salacli). 
Gariyspellane ;  Spellane's  garden. 
Gartan  ;  a  little  garden.     See  Gort  in  Vocabulary. 
Garvagh  ;   Garbhach,  rough  land  (from  garlh,  rough). 
Gnrvaghy  j  rough  achndh  or  fie  I'l. 


60  Irish  Local  Names  explained. 

Garvary ;  Garlhaire,  rough  land. 

Gay  island  in  Fermanagh ;  goose  island  {gedh), 

Geara,  Gearagh,  Gairha  ;  Gaertha  [gairha]  a  hushy 
place  along  a  river. 

Gearhameen  river  at  Killarney ;  min  smooth,  small;  a 
gearha  composed  of  small  delicate  bushes. 

Giants'  Causeway.  Irish  name  Clochdn-na-lhFomharaigh 
[Clohanavowry],  the  doghan  or  stepping  stones  of  the 
Fomorians.  These  sea  rovers  were  magnified  into 
giants  in  popular  legend,  and  the  name  came  to  be 
translated  "  Giants'  Causewa3^" 

Girley  in  Meath  ;   GreaUach  [Grallagh],  a  miry  place. 

Glack  ;  Ohio,  a  hollow. 

Glaubehy ;  birchy  glen  {heith). 

Glantane,  Glantaun ;  little  glen. 

Glanworth  in  Cork ;  recently  corrupted  from  its  Irish 
name,  Gleann-amhnach  [Glenounagh],  as  it  is  written 
in  the  Book  of  Rights,  the  watery  or  marshy  glen. 

Glascloon ;  green  cloon  or  meadow. 

Glasdruramon,  Glasdrummond  ;  green  ridge. 

Glashaboy,  Glashawee;  yellow  streamlet  (glaise  and 
buidhe). 

Glasheen ;  a  little  sk-eam. 

Glasmullagh  ;  green  mullach  or  summit. 

Glasnevin  near  Dublin ;  takes  name  from  a  streamlet 
flowing  through  Delville  into  the  Tolka  at  the  bridge. 
In  remote  ages  some  pagan  chief  named  JVaeidhe 
[Nee],  must  have  resided  on  its  banks  ;  from  him  it 
was  called  Glas-Naeidhen  [Neean],  F.  M.,  Naeidhe^s 
streamlet;  and  the  name  extended  to  the  village, 
while  its  original  application  is  quite  forgotten. 

Glassan ;  a  green  place. 

Glasthule  ;  Glas-Tuathail  [thoohil],  TuathaVs  or  Toole's 
streamlet. 

Glenagarey ;  Gleann-na-gcaerach  [Glenagaira],  the  glen 
of  the  sheep  {caera). 

Glenanair ;  the  glen  of  slaughter  (rfr). 

Glenavy  in  Antrim.  The  ^  is  a  modern  addition.  The 
Irish  name,  as  given  in  tlie  Calendar,  is  Lann- 
Alhaich  [Lanavy],  the  church  of  the  dwarf.  AVhen 
St  Patrick  had  built  the  church  there,  he  left  it  ia 


Iri'^li  Local  Xd'iiies  cxplahied.  51 

charge  of  his  disciple  Daniel,  who,  from  his  low  sta- 
ture, was  called  Alliac  [avak  or  ouk],  i.  e.  dwarf. 

Glenbane,  Glenbaun ;  wliite  glen. 

Glencar  on  the  borders  of  Leitrim  and  Sligo;  Gleann-cC- 
chairthe  [Glenacarha],  the  glen  of  the  pillar  stone 
(cairfhe). 

GlencuUen,  Glencullin ;  holly  glen  {cuillionn). 

Glendine,  Glandine;  deep  glen  (doimhin). 

Glendowan  mountains  in  Donegal;  same  as  Glendine. 

Glen  duff;  black  glen  {dubh). 

Glengarriff ;  rough  or  rugged  glen  (garlh). 

Gleninagh ;  ivy  glen  (see  eidhnedn  in  Vocabulary). 

Glenkeen ;  beautiful  glen. 

Glenmore;  great  glen, 

Glennamaddy;  the  valley  of  the  dogs  (madadh). 

Glenogra  in  Limerick ;  Ogra's  glen. 

Glenosheen  in  Limerick  ;   Oisiii^s  or  Osheen's  glen. 

Glenquin,  barony  of,  in  Limerick  ;  see  p.  4. 

Glenreagh,  Glenrevagh  ;  grey  glen. 

Glenroe ;  red  glen  {ruadh). 

Glentane,  Glentaun ;  little  glen. 

Glenties  in  Donegal ;  Gleamitaidhe  [glenty],  glens ;  from 
two  fine  glens  at  the  head  of  which  it  stands. 

Glenwhiny  in  Antrim  ;  Gleami-d'-choire  [Glenacurry : 
change  of  ch  to  wh),  the  glen  of  the  river  Curry  or 
Coire.  Coire  means  a  caldron,  and  the  river  got  this 
name  from  a  deep  pool  formed  under  a  cataract. 

Glynn ;  a  glen  or  valley. 

Gneeve,  Gneeves;  Gniomh  [gneeve],  a  measure  of  land. 

Gola;  forks  ;  the  plural  oi gahhal  [goul]. 

Golan  ;  a  little  goul  or  fork. 

Golden  in  Tipperary ;  Gabhailin  [Gouleen],  a  little  fork: 
the  Suir  divides  there  for  a  short  distance,  forming  a 
fork. 

Gort ;  Gort,  a  tilled  field. 

Gortahork,  Gortahurk ;  the  field  of  the  oats  {coirce). 

Gortalassa ;  the  field  of  the  lis  or  fort. 

Gortanure,  Gortinure ;  the  field  of  the  yew. 

Gortavoher ;  the  field  of  the  holier  or  road. 

Gortboy ;  yellow  field  (huidke). 

Gortbrack ;  speckled  field  {hreac). 
i«2 


62  Irish  Local  Nantes  explaiiud, 

Gorteen ;  little  field. 

Gortfad,  Gortfadda ;  long  field, 

Gortgranagh ;  grain  field. 

Gortin  ;  little  field  ;  same  as  Gorteen. 

Gortmore ;  great  field. 

Gortnaglogh  ;  Gort-na-gdoch,  the  field  of  the  stones. 

Gortnagross;  Gort-na-gcros,  the  field  of  the  crosses. 

Gortnahoo,  Gortnahoon ;  the  field  of  the  cave  (uaimh). 

Gortnamona ;  the  field  of  the  bog  (mom). 

Gortnamucklagh ;  the  field  of  the  piggeries.     See  Muck- 

lagh. 
Gortnasillagh  ;  the  field  of  the  sallows. 
Gortnaskea,   Gortnaskeagh,  Gortnaskeha,  Gortnaskey ; 

the  field  of  the  sceachs  or  whitethoi'n  bushes. 
Gortreagh ;  grey  field  {riahhach). 
Gortroe;  red  field  (ruadh). 
Gougane  Barra  in  Cork ;  St.  Finbar's  rock-cleft. 
Goul,  Gowel ;   Galhal,  a  fork. 
Gowlan,  Gowlane,  Gowlaun ;  little  fork. 
Graffa,  Graffin,  Graffoge,  Graff'y;  grubbed  land,  or  laud 

rooted  up  by  a  grafaun  or  grubbing  axe. 
Graigue ;  a  village. 

Graiguenamanagh ;  the  village  of  the  monks. 
Grallagh;   (rr^a/ZacA  [Grallagh],  a  miry  place. 
Granagh,  Granaghan  ;  a  place  producing  grain. 
Grangegeeth ;  windy  grange  {gaeth). 
Grausha ;  a  grange,  a  place  for  grain. 
Greagh ;  a  moory  level  spot  among  hills. 
Great  CoTinell;  great  conglhail  or  habitation  (see  Con. 

wal). 
Greenan,   Greenane,    Greenaun,   Grenan;    Grianan,    a 

summer  residence,  a  royal  palace.     From  grian,  the 

sun. 
Greenoge ;  a  sunny  little  spot.     From  grian. 
Grillagh,  Grelhigh;  same  as  Grallagh. 
Gurteen;  little  tilled  field;  same  as  Gorteen. 
Gurteenroe  ;  red  little  field. 

Guilcagh;  a  place  producing  broom  (giolcacli,  broom\ 
Uyleen  near  Trabolgan  in  Cork  ;  little  gobhal  or  fork 
Heagles  near  Ballymoney;  EagJais,  a  church. 
Howth;    from  the  Danish  Moved,  a  head.     Old  Irish 


Irish  Local  Names  explained.  53 

name  Ben  Edar,  the  peak  of  Edar,  a  legendary  per- 
sonage. 

Idrone,  baronies  of,  in  Carlow.  So  called  from  the  tribe 
of  Hy  Drona  (Book  of  R.),  the  former  occupants, 
■who  were  named  from  their  ancestor  Drona,  fourth 
in  descent  from  Cahirmore,  monarch  of  Ireland  from 
A.  D.  120  to  123. 

lUan,  Illane,  Illaun ;   Oiledn  [oilaun],  an  island. 

Imaile  in  "VVicklow ;  Sy  Mail  (O'Dugan),  the  descend- 
ants of  Mann  Mai,  brother  of  Cahirmore.    See  Idrone. 

Inch ;  Inis,  an  island  ;  a  low  meadow  along  a  river. 

Inchraore  ;  great  island  or  river  meadow. 

Inis,  luish  ;  an  island. 

Inishannon  in  Cork;  written  in  the  Book  of  Leinster/»i>- 
Eoganain  [Inishowenan],  Owenan's  or  little  Owen's 
island  or  river  meadow. 

luishargy  in  Down;  called  in  the  Taxation  of  1306, 
Inyscargi,  showing  that  the  Irish  form  is  Inis-car- 
raige,  the  island  of  the  rock.  The  rising  ground 
■where  the  church  stands  was  formerly  surrounded  by 
marshes, 

Inishbofin ;  the  island  of  the  white  cow  (bo) : — name 
explained  by  a  legend. 

Inishkeen ;  beautiful  island. 

Inishkeeragh ;  the  island  of  sheep  (caera). 

Inishlounaght  in  Tipperary;  Inis-leamhnachia  [loun- 
aghta],  the  island  or  river  holm  of  the  new  milk  • 
probably  because  it  ■was  good  grazing  land. 

Inishmaan,  Inishmean ;  middle  island  (tneadhon). 

Inishmacsaint,  a  parish  in  Fermanagh,  taking  its  name 
from  an  island  in  Lough  Erne,  which  is  called  in  the 
annak  Inis-muighe-samh  [moy-sauv],  the  island  of 
the  plain  of  sorrel,  from  which  the  present  name  has 
been  formed  by  a  corrupt  pronunciation. 

Inishmore ;  great  island. 

Inisho-wen  in  Donegal;  the  island  of  Owen,  son  of  Niall 
of  the  Nine  Hostages  (king  from  379  to  405).  See 
Tyrone. 

Inishrush ;  the  island  of  the  peninsula  {ros). 

Inishtm-k  in  Mayo;  Inis-tuirCy  Hy  F.,  the  boai-'s  island 
{tore).     Several  islands  of  this  name. 


54  Irish  Local  Names  explained. 

Inishtioge  in  Kilkenny ;  written  in  the  Book  ofLeinster 
Inis-Teoc,  Teoc's  island. 

Innisfallen  in  the  lower  Lake  of  Killarney;  called  in  the 
Book  of  Leinster  Inis-Faithlenn  [Fahlen],  the  island 
of  Faithlenn,  a  man's  name. 

Inver ;  Inhhear  [inver],  the  mouth  of  a  river, 

Ireland's  Eye.  Original  name  Inis-Ereann  [Eran]  (the 
island  of  Eii-e  or  Eria,  a  woman),  of  which  the  pre- 
sent name  is  an  attempted  translation.  Eye  is  tha 
Danish  ey,  an  island  ;  and  the  translators  understand- 
ing Ereann  to  mean  Ireland,  rendered  the  name  Ire- 
land's Ey  (or  island)  instead  of  Eria's  Ey.  (See 
Origin  and  History  of  Irish  Names  of  Places ;  pp. 
76,  101,  104.) 

Isertkelly  in  Galway ;  corrupted  (similarly  to  the  next 
two  names)  from  Biseart-Cheallaigh  [Disertkelly], 
r.  M.,  CellacKs  or  Kelly's  hermitage. 

Isertkieran  in  Tipperary ;  the  desert  or  hermitage  of  St. 
Kieran  of  Ossory,     See  Seirkieran. 

Ishartmon  in  "Wexford  ;  the  desert  or  hermitage  of  St. 
Munna.     See  Taghmon. 

Island  Magee ;  the  island  or  peninsula  of  the  Mac 
Aedhas  or  Magees,  its  former  possessors.  Anciently 
called  Rinn-Seimhne  [Rinn-sevne],  the  point  of 
Seimhne^  the  old  territory  in  which  it  was  situated. 

Iveleary  in  Cork ;  took  its  name  from  the  O'Learys,  its 
ancient  proprietors.     See  next  name. 

Iverk  in  Kilkenny;  Ui-Eirc  [_Ee-erc],  O'Dugan,  a 
tribe  name,  signifying  the  descendants  of  Ere.  Ui 
[ee]  or  uibh  [iv],  signifies  descendants. 

Iveruss  in  Limerick;  the  old  tribe  of  Uihh-Rosa  the 
descendants  of  Rosa. 

Kanturk  in  Cork ;  Ceann-tuirc  [Kanturk],  F.  M.,  the 
boar's  head  or  hill ;  from  the  hill  near  the  town. 

Keadew,  Keady ;  Cetde  [Keady],  a  hill  level  and  smooth 
at  top. 

Keale,  Keel ;  Caol,  narrow ;  a  narrow  place,  valley,  or 
river. 

Keeloge,  Keeloges;  Caeldg,  a  naj*row  stripe  or  ridge. 

Kcelty;   Coillte  [Coiltha],  woods,  from  coill. 

Kccnagh,  Keenajilian;  a  mossy  nlace  (caenach,  moss). 


Irish  Local  Names  explained.  55 

Keenaght  barony  in  Londonderry.  The  descendants  of 
Cian  [Kean],  son  of  OlioU  Olum  (see  Connello),  were 
called  Cianachta  [Keenaghta],  i.  e.  the  race  of  Cian. 
The  0' Conors  of  Glengiven,  who  were  a  portion  of 
this  tribe,  possessed  the  barony  of  Keenaght,  and 
gave  it  its  name. 

Keimaneigh,  pass  of,  in  Cork;  Ceim-an-fhiaigh  [Kame- 
an-eej,  the  pass  of  the  deer  {fiadh). 

Kenmare ;  Ceann-mara,  the  head  of  the  sea  (muir),  i.  e. 
the  highest  point  reached  by  the  tide  in  a  river.  See 
Kinvarra  and  Kinsale. 

Kerry.  The  descendants  of  Ciar  [Keer :  see  Conne- 
mara]  were  called  Ciarraidhe  [Keery  :  Book  of  R.], 
i.  e.  the  race  of  Ciar;  they  possessed  the  territory 
lying  west  of  Abbeyfeale,  which  was  called  from  them 
Ciarraighe,  and  ultimately  gave  name  to  the  whole 
county. 

Kesh  in  Fermanagh ;  Ceis  [Kesh],  a  wickerwork  cause- 
way. 

Keshcarrigan  in  Leitrim ;  the  wickerwork  causeway  of 
the  little  rock. 

Kilbaha;   Coill-heithe,  birch  wood. 

Kilbarron  in  Donegal;  St.  Barron's  church. 

Kilbarry  in  Waterford  and  Cork ;  from  St.  Finbar. 
See  Cork  and  Gougane  Barra. 

Kilbeg ;  small  church  or  wood. 

Kilbeggan ;  Beccan's  church. 

Kilbeheny;  Coill-beithne  [Kilbehena],  F.  M.,  birch, 
wood. 

Kilbreedy ;  Cill-Bhrighde,  St.  Brigid's  church. 

Kilbride ;  the  same  as  Kilbreedy. 

Kilbroney ;  church  of  Bronagh,  a  virgin  saint. 

Kilcarragh  in  Kerry  and  Waterford;  the  church  of  St. 
Carthach  [Caurha]  of  Lismore. 

Kilcavan  in  Wexford ;  church  dedicated  to  St.  Kevin  of 
Glendalough. 

Kilcleagh  and  Kilclay  ;  same  as  next  name. 

Kilclief  in  Down ;  Gill-cleithe  [Kilcleha],  the  hurdle 
church  {cliath).  The  original  church  was  constructed 
of  hurdles,  after  the  early  Irish  fashion. 

Kilcolmnn;  St.  Colman's  church. 


56  Irhh  Local  Names  explained. 

Kilcoramon  ;  St.  Coman's  church. 

Kilcullen ;   Cill-cmUinn,  the  church  of  the  liolly. 

Kildalkey   in   Meath;    written  in  an  Irish  charter  in 

the  Book  of  Kells,  Cill'Delga,  Delga's  church. 
Ivildarc.     According  to  Animosus,  St.  Brigid  built  her 

little  cell  here  under  a  very  high  oak  tree ;  and  hence 

it  was  called  Cill-dara,  which  the  same  writer  trans- 
lates Cella  quercus,  the  cell  or  church  of  the  oak. 
Kildimo  in  Limerick ;  St.  Dima's  church. 
Kildorrery  in  Cork ;    Cill-dairhhre   [Kildarrery],    the 

church  of  the  oaks.     See  Darraragh. 
Kildrought  in  Kildare.     See  Celbridge. 
KildufF;  black  church  or  wood. 
Kilfinnane  in  Limerick;  the  church  of  St.  Finan.     See 

Ardfinnan. 
Kilfithmone  in  Tipperary  ;  the  church  of  the  wood  of 

the  bog  {fulh  and  moin). 
Kilfiyn ;  Elann's  church. 
IvilgarrifF,  Kilgarve;  rough  wood. 
Kilgarvan  ;  St.  Garhhmi's  or  Garvan's  church. 
Kilkee  in  Clare;  St.  Caeidhe's  [Kee's]  cluirch. 
Kilkeedy  in  Clare  and  Limerick ;  St.  Caeide's  [Keedy's] 

church. 
Kilkeel;  narrow  church. 
Kilkenny ;  Gill-  Chainnigh  [Kilkenny],  F.M.,  the  church 

of  St.  Cainneach,  or  Canice,   who  died  in  the  year 

598.     See  Aghaboe. 
Killadysart ;  the  church  of  the  desert  or  hermitage 
Killaloo  in  Clare  and  Kilkenny ;  Cill-Dabia  [Killaioo . 

d  aspirated — see  p.  2],  the  church  of  St.  l^alua  or 

Molua,  who  flourished  in  the  sixth  century. 
Killanumraery  in  Leitrim;  GUl-an-iomaire  [ummera], 

F.  M.,  the  church  of  the  ridge. 
Killarney;  Cill-airne,  the  church  of  the  sloes. 
Killashandra.     The  original  church  was  built  within 

the  enclosure  of  a  rath  or  fort  which  still  partly 

exists;  hence  Cill-a'-sean-ratha  [Killashanraha],  the 

church  of  the  old  rath. 
Killashee  in  Kildare  ;  CiU-ausaille,  the  church  of  St. 

Ausaille  or  Auxilius,  a  contemporary  of  St.  Patrick. 

Killashee  in  Longford  is  probably  the  church  of  iho 

sidh  or  fa'wv  hill. 


Irish  Local  Names  explained.  57 

Killaspugbrone  near  Sligo.  In  the  Book  of  Armagh  it 
is  stated  that  St.  Patrick  built  a  churcli  at  Cassel 
Irra  for  liis  disciple  BrSn  or  Bronus,  who  became 
bishop  of  Cuil  Irra,  the  peninsula  lying  south-west 
of  Sligo:  hence  the  place  was  called  GiU-easpuig- 
Brdin,  F.  M.,  the  church  of  bishop  Bronus  (eaxpug,  a 
bishop). 

Killaspuglonanc  in  Clare  ;  Cill-easpuig-Fhlanndin, 
F.  M.,  the  church  of  bishop  Flannan. 

Killawillinin  Cork;  Cill-a'-mhuihnn,  the  church  of  the 
miU. 

Killeany  in  Clare  and  Galway;  the  church  of  St  Eany 
or  Endeus  of  Aran,  who  flourished  in  the  fifth  century. 

Killeedy  in  Limerick ;  the  church  of  the  virgiu  saint 
Ita  or  IJe,  who  founded  a  nunnery  here  in  the  early 
part  of  the  sixth  centurj-.     See  Kilmeedy. 

Killeen,  the  name  of  more  than  80  townlands ;  nearly 
all  from  Cillin  a  little  church;  but  a  few  from  Coill'in, 
a  little  wood. 

Killeentierna  in  Kerry;  TighernacJi's  [Tierna's]  little 
church. 

Killeigh  in  King's  County  ;  Cill-achaidh  [Killahr], 
F.  M.,  the  church  of  the  field. 

Killenaule  in  Tipperary  ;  the  church  of  St.  Naile 
[Nawly]  or  Natalis. 

Killery  harbour  in  Connemara  ;  corrupted  by  a  change 
of  Ho  r  (see  p.  3),  from  Cael-shaile  [Keelhaly],  nar- 
row sea-inlet;  but  the  full  name  is  Cael-shaile- 
ruadh,  F.  M.,  the  reddish  (ruadh)  narrow  sea-inlet. 

Killevy  or  Killeavy  in  Armagh ;  called,  from  its  proxi- 
mity to  Slieve  Gullion,  Cill-shl&ibhe  [Killeva],  F.  M., 
the  church  of  the  sliahh  or  mountain. 

Killiney  in  Dublin  ;  corrupted  from  Cill-inghen  [Kil- 
lineen] ;  full  name  Ctll-inghen-Leinin,  the  church  of 
the  daughters  of  Leinin. 

Killiney  in  Kerry ;  the  same  as  Killeany. 

Killisk,  Killiskey ;  the  church  of  the  water  (uisge). 

Killoe;   Cilled,  O'C.  Cal.,  the  church  of  the  yews 

Killure;   Cill-iulhair,  the  church  of  the  yew. 

Killursa;  Cill-Fhursa,  the  church  of  St.  Fursa,  who 
flourished  in  the  sixth  century. 


58  Irish  Local  Names  explained. 

Killybegs ;   Cealla-heaga,  F.  M.,  little  churches. 
Killygorden  in  Donegal ;   Coill-na-gcuiridin  [Kilnagur- 

ridin],  F.  M.,  the  wood  of  the  parsnips. 
Killj'on;  the  church  of  St.  Liadhan  [Leean]  or  Lie- 

dania,  mother  of  St.  Ciaran  of  Ossory.     See  Seir- 

kieran. 
Kilmacanoge  in  Wicklow ;  the  church  of  St.  Mochonog, 

one  of  the  primitive  Irish  saints. 
Kilmacrenan  in  Donegal;  see  p.  3. 
Kilmainham  near  Dublin  ;  see  p.  4. 
Kilmallock  in  Limerick ;  Cill-Mocheallog  [Kilmohelog], 

the  church  of  St.  Mocheallog,  who  flourished  in  the 

beginning  of  the  seventh  century. 
Kilmanagh  near  Kilkenny ;   Gill-manach  (Mart.  Taml.), 

the  church  of  the  monks. 
Kilmeedy ;  the  church  of  St.  MdS,  or  Ite ;  for  both  are 

the  same  name.     See  Killeedy. 
Kilmihil ;  the  church  of  St.  Michael  the  Archangel. 
Kilmore ;  there  are  about  80  parishes  and  townlands  of 

this  name,  most  of  them  signifying  great  church, 

some  great  wood  {cill  and  coill). 
Kilraurry;  there   are   more   than  fifty   places  of  this 

name,  which  were  all  so  called  from  places  dedicated 

to  the  Blessed  Virgin  :  Cill-Mhuire,  Mary's  church. 
Kilnaleck;  the  wood  of  the  flag-surfaced  land. 
Kilnamanagh  in   Tipperary ;    Coill-na-manachy   F.  M., 

the  wood  of  the  monks. 
Kilnamona ;  the  church  of  the  bog  (moin). 
Kilpatrick ;  St.  Patrick's  church. 
Kilquane;  Cill-Chuain,  St.  Cuan's  church. 
Kilroot  in  Antrim ;  Cill-ruadh,  F.  M.,  red  church. 
Kilrush;  the  church  of  the  wood  or  peninsula. 
Kilskeer  in  Meath ;  the   church   of  the   virgin   saint 

Scire,  who  flourished  in  the  sixth  century. 
Kiltenanlea  in  Clare ;  Cill-tSenain-leith,  the  church  of 

St.  Senan  the  hoary. 
Kiltullagh  in  Roscommon ;    Cill-tulaigh,  the  church  of 

the  hill. 
Kiltybegs  ;   CoilUe-leaga,  little  woods. 
Kilwatcrmoy  in  Waterford  ;  water  is  here  a  corruption 

of  uachtar,  upper :  the  church  of  the  upper  plain. 


Irish  Local  Names  explained.  59 

Kinalea,  barony  of,  in  Cork;  Cinel-Aedha  [Kinel-Ay], 
O'Dugan,  the  descendants  of  Aedh  or  Hugh,  who 
was  the  father  of  Failhhe-Flann,  king  of  Munster  in 
A.  D.  636. 

Kinalmeaky,  barony  of,  in  Cork  ;  Cinel-viBece  [Kinel- 
mecka],  O'Dugan,  the  descendants  oiBece,  the  ances- 
tor of  the  O'Mahonys. 

Kinard ;  Ceann-ard,  high  head  or  hill. 

Kinawley  in  Fermanagh  ;  Cill-Naile  [Kilnawly,  which 
would  have  been  the  correct  anglicised  form],  O'C. 
Cal.,  the  church  of  St.  Naile  or  Natalis,  who  died  in 
A.  D.  564. 

Kincon ;  the  hound's  head  {ceann  and  cu\ 

Kincora  at  Killaloe,  the  site  of  Brian  Boru's  palace, 
took  its  name  from  an  ancient  weir  across  the 
Shannon ;  Ceann-coradh  [Kancora],  F.  M.,  the  head 
or  hill  of  the  weir. 

Kinneigh,  Kinnea;  Ceann-ech,  F.  M.,  the  horse's  head 
or  hill. 

Kinnitty  in  King's  County;  Ceann-Eitigh  [Kan-Etty], 
EtecKs  head ;  so  called,  according  to  a  gloss  in  the 
Felire  of  Aengus,  because  the  head  of  Etech,  an 
ancient  Irish  princess,  was  buried  there. 

Kinsale,  Kinsaley ;  Ceann-saile,  the  head  of  the  brine, 
i.  6.  the  highest  point  to  which  the  tide  rises  in 
a  river.     See  Kenmare. 

Kinure;   Ceann-iuhhair,  the  head  of  the  yew. 

Kinvarra  in  Galway ;  Geann-mhara,  F.  31.,  the  head  of 
the  sea.     See  Kenmare. 

Knappagh;  Cnapach,  a  place  full  of  maps  or  round 
hillocks. 

Knock;  Cnoc,  a  hill. 

KnockacuUen ;  the  hill  of  the  hoUy. 

Knockaderry ;  the  hill  of  the  oak  wood. 

Knockagh ;  Cnocach^  a  hilly  place. 

Knockainy  in  Limerick ;  the  hill  of  Aine  or  Ainy,  a 
celebrated  lanshee. 

Knockalisheen ;  the  hill  of  the  little  lis  or  fort. 

Knockalough;  the  hill  of  the  lake. 

Knockane,  Knockaun ;  little  hill. 

Knockanglass,  Knockaneglass ;  green  little  hill. 


60  Irish  Local  Names  exjjlalned. 

Knockanixe  ;  see  i)age  2. 

Knockaiiroo,    Knockancroo,    Knockaunroo;     red   little 

hill. 
Knockanure;  Cnoc-an-iuhhai}\  yew  hill. 
Knockatemple ;  the  hill  of  the  temple  or  church. 
Knockatarriv,    Knockatarrj',    KnockaterrifF;     Cnoc-a*' 

tairhh,  the  hill  of  the  bull. 
Knockatobcr ;  the  hill  of  the  well. 
Knockatoor;  the  hill  of  the  tuar  or  bleach  green. 
Knockatotaun ;    Cnoc-d! -icotain^  the  hill  of  the  burning 

or  conflagration. 
Knockaunbaun ;  white  little  hill. 
Knockavilia,  Knockaville ;  the  hill  of  the  hile.  or  old 

tree. 
Knockavoe  near  Strab^ne  ;  Gnoc-Biddhlh  [Knockboov], 

F,  M.,  the  hill  of  Bove  Dcrg,  a  legendary  Tuatha  De 

Dauann  chief. 
Knockbane,  Knockbaun ;  white  hill. 
Knoekboy;  Cnoc-luidhe,  yellow  hill. 
Knockbraek;  Cnoc-lreac,  speckled  hill. 
Knockcroghery  in  Roscommon;  the  hill  of  the  crochm're 

or  hangman  :  it  was  a  place  of  execution. 
Knockdoo,  Knockduif  j  see  page  2. 
Knockeen ;  little  hill. 
Knockfierna  in  Limerick ;  Cnoc-firinne,  the  hill  of  truth, 

or  of  truthful  prediction;  for  it  serves  as  a  weather 

glass  to  the  people  of  the  circumjacent  plains,  who 

can  predict  whether  the  da)'  will  be  wet  or  diy  by 

the  appearance  of  the  summit  in  the  morning. 
Knockglass  ;  Cnoc-glas,  green  hill. 
Knockgorm  ;  Cnoc-gorm,  blue  hill. 
Knocklayd  in  Antrim  ;  called  from  its  shape  Cnoc-leithid 

[lehid],  the  hill  of  breadth,  i.  e.  broad  hill. 
Knocklofty   in  Tipperary;    Cnoc-lochta,  the  lofted  or 

shelving  hill. 
Knocklong  in  Limerick;   Cnoc-luinge,  the  hill  of  the 

encampment;  for  Cormac  mac  Art  encamped  with  his 

army,  on  this  hill,  when  he  invaded  Muuster  in  the 

third  century. 
Knockmanagh ;  middle  hill. 
Knockmealdo wn  mountains;  Cnoc-IIaeldomhnaigh,  Mael- 


Irish  Local  Names  explained.  61 

Knockmore;  great  hill. 

Knockmoyle;  Cnoc-mael,  bald  or  bare  hill. 

KnockmuUin;  the  hill  of  the  mill. 

Kiiocknaboley,  Knocknabooly ;  the  hill  of  the  hooley  or 

dairy  place. 
Knocknacrohy ;  Cnoc-na-croiche,  the  hill  of  the  gallows ; 

a  place  of  execution. 
Knocknagapple,  Knocknagappul ;   Cnoc  na-gcapall,  the 

hill  of  the  horses. 
Knocknagaul  in  Limerick;   the  hill  of  the   Galls   or 

foreigners.   . 
Knocknageeha ;  the  hill  of  the  wind  (gaeth). 
Knocknagin  ;    Cnoc-na-gceann  [na-gan],  the  hill  of  the 

heads  ;  a  place  of  execution. 
Knocknaglogh ;  the  hill  of  the  stones  (clock). 
Knocknagore;  the  hill  of  the  goats  {gabhar). 
Knocknahorna  ;  the  hill  of  the  barley  {eorna). 
Knocknamona;  the  hill  of  the  bog. 
Knocknamuck;  the  hill  of  the  pigs. 
Knocknarea  in  Sligo ;  the  hill  of  the  executions.     See 

Ardnarea. 
Knocknaskagh,  Knocknaskeagh  ;  the  hill  of  the  sceachs 

or  white  thorn  bushes. 
Knockninny,  a  hill  in  Fermanagh,  which  gives  name  to 

a  barony;    Cnoc-Ninnidh  [2sinuy],   the  hill  of  St. 

Ninnidh,  who  was  a  contemporary  of  St.  Columba. 
Knockpatrick;  Patrick's  hill. 
Knockraha,  Knockrath,  Knocknaraha;  the  hill  of  the 

rath  or  fort. 
Knockranny;  Cnoc-raithnigh  [rahnee],  ferny  hill. 
Knockrawer,   Knockramer,    Knockrower,    Knoekrour ; 

Cnoc-reamhar  [rawer  or  rower],  fat  or  thick  hill. 
Knockreagh ;  grey  hill. 
Knockroe  ;  red  hill. 

Knockshanbally  ;  the  hill  of  the  old  town. 
Knocksouna  near  Kilmallock  in  Limerick ;  written  in 

the  Book  of  Lismore,  Cnoc-Samhna  [Souna],  the  hill 

of  Savihuin  [Sowan  or  Savin],  the  first  of  2s  ovember, 

which  was  kept  as  a  festival  by  the  pagan  Irish.    See 

Origin  and  History  of  Irish  Names  of  Places,  p.  194. 
Knocktemple;  the  hill  of  the  temple  or  church. 


G2  Irish  Local  Natnes  explained. 

Knock topher  in  Kilkenny ;  see  page  4. 

Knoppoge,  Knappoge ;  a  little  hill.     See  Knappagh. 

Kyle;  about  half  the  names  partly  or  wholly  formed 
from  Kyle,  are  from  Cill,  a  church;  the  other  half 
from  Coin,  a  wood. 

Kylebeg ;  small  church  or  wood. 

Kylemore;  generally  great  wood  (cotll);  sometimes 
great  church  (cill).  Kylemore  (lake)  near  the  Twelve 
Pins  in  Connemara,  is  Coill-mhor,  great  wood. 

Labba,  Labby;  Zeaba  [labba],  a  bed,  a  grave. 

Labbasheeda  in  Clare  ;  Leaha-Sioda,  Sioda's  or  Sheedj'^'s 
lahba,  bed,  or  grave. 

Labbamolaga ;  St.  Molaga's  grave.    See  Templemolaga. 

Lack;  leac  [lack],  a  stone,  a  flag  stone. 

Lacka ;  the  side  of  a  hill. 

Lackabane,  Lackabaun  ;  white  hill  side. 

Lackagh ;  a  place  full  of  stones  or  flags. 

Lackamore ;  great  hill  side. 

Lackan ;  the  same  as  Lacka :  a  hill  side. 

Lackandarragh,  Lackendarragh ;  the  hill  side  of  the 
oaks. 

Lackareagh;  grey  hill  side  (r/fftAacA).         - 

Lackaroe ;  red  hill  side  {ruadh). 

Lackeen ;  a  little  rock  or  flag. 

Lacken ;  the  same  as  Lacka ;  a  hill  side. 

Lag,  Legg  ;  a  hollow;  a  hollow  in  a  hill. 

Lagan;  a  little  hollow;  sometimes  it  means  a  pillar 
stone  (liagan).  The  river  Lagan  probably  took  its 
name  from  a  little  hollow  on  some  part  of  its  course. 

Laghil,  Laghile;  LeamhcJioill  [Lavwhill],  elm  wood. 

Laght;  Leacht,  a  sepulchre  or  monument. 

Laghy ;  a  slough,  a  miry  place. 

Laharan ;  Leath-fhearann  [Laharan],  half  land. 

Lahard;  Leath-ard,  half  height;  a  gentle  hill. 

Lahardan,  Lahardane,  Lahardaun  ;  a  gentle  hill. 

Lakyle ;  Leath-choill,  half  Avood. 

Lambay  island  near  Dublin;  the  latter  part  is  Danish  : 
Lamb-cy,  i.  e.  lamb  island.  Its  ancient  Irish  name 
was  Rechru  or  Reachra;  and  the  adjacent  parish 
on  the  mainland  was  called  from  it,  Port-Reachrann 
rportrahernj,  the  port  or  landing  place  ot  Reachra, 


iriah  Local  Names  explained.  63 

whicli  in  the  course  of  ages,  has  heen  softened  down 
to  the  present  name,  Portraine. 

Laragh,  Lauragh;  Lathrach,  the  site  of  any  th!jg. 

Laraghbiyan  in  Kildare ;  Bryan's  house  site. 

Largan ;  Leargan,  the  side  or  slope  of  a  hilL 

Largy;  Leargaidh,  same  meaning  as  last. 

Lame  in  Antrim  ;  LatJiarna  (Lahania  :  Book  of  1^.), 
the  district  of  Lathair  [Laher],  son  of  Hugony  the 
great,  monarch  of  Ireland  before  the  Christian  era. 
Until  recently  it  Avas  the  name  of  a  district  which 
extended  northwards  towards  Glenarm ;  and  the  town 
was  then  called  Inver-an-Lahai-na,  the  river  mouth  of 
(the  territory  of)  Lame,  from  its  situation  at  the  mouth 
of  the  Ollarhha  or  Lame  Water. 

Latt ;  the  same  word  as  Laght. 

Latteragh  in  Tipperary ;  Leatvacha  [Latraha],  the  plural 
oiLeitir,  a  wet  hill-side  (see  Letter).  It  is  called  in 
O'C.  Cal.,  Letracha-Odhrain  [Oranl,  Odhran's  wet 
hill-slopes,  from  the  patron,  St.  Odhran,  wLo  died  in 
the  year  548. 

Laughil ;  LeanihcJioill  [Lavwhill],  elm  wood. 

Laune  river  at  Killaraey ;  Leamhain,  F.  M.,  elm ;  the 
elm-producing  river. 

Lavagh ;  Leamhach  [Lavagh],  a  place  producing  elms. 

Lavally ;  Leath-lhaile,  half  town  or  townland. 

Lavey  in  Cavan ;  the  same  as  Lavagh. 

Leagh ;  Liath  [Leea],  grey;  a  grey  place. 

Learn  ;  Leim,  a  leap. 

Leamlara  in  Cork;  the  mare's  leap. 

Leamnamoyle  in  Fermanagh ;  the  leap  of  the  mael  or 
hornless  cow. 

Lear ;  the  same  as  Lyre. 

Lecale,  barony  of,  in  Down;  Leth- Chathail  [Lecahil], 
F.  M.,  CathaVs  half.  Cathal  was  a  chief  who  flou- 
rished about  the  year  700,  and  in  a  division  of  ter- 
ritory, this  district  was  assigned  to  him,  and  took  hi» 
name. 

Lecarrow;  Leth- ceathram?uidh  [Lecarhoo],  half  quarter 
(of  land). 

Leek  ;  the  same  as  Lack. 

Leckan,  Leckaun ;  the  same  as  Lackan. 


64  Iriuli  Local  Names  exijlained. 

Leckpatrick  ;  Patrick's  flag- stone. 

Lecg,  Leek,  Leeke ;  the  same  as  Lack. 

Legacurrj'-,  Legaghory ;  Lag-a-choire  [curry],  the  hollow 
{lag)  of  the  caldron  or  pit. 

Legan,  Logaun ;  the  same  as  Lagan. 

Legland ;  same  as  Leighlin.     D  added  :  see  p.  4. 

Lehinch  ;  Leith-innse,  F.  M,,  half  island,  i.  e.  a  penin- 
sula. 

Leighlin  in  Caiiow;  Leith-ghlionn  [Leh-lin],  F.  JNl., 
half  glen  ;  from  some  peculiarity  of  formation  in  the 
little  river  bed. 

Leighmoney  ;  grey  murne  or  shrubbery. 

Leinster.  In  the  third  century  before  the  Christian 
era,  Lalhradh  Loivgseach  [Lavra  Linshagh,  Lavra  the 
mariner],  brought  an  army  of  Gauls  from  France  to 
assist  him  in  recovering  the  kingdom  from  his  uncle, 
the  usurper,  CofFagh  Gael  Era.  These  foreign  soldiers 
used  a  kind  of  broad  pointed  spear,  called  laighen 
[layen]  ;  and  from  this  circumstance  the  province  in 
which  they  settled,  which  had  previously  borne  the 
name  of  Galian,  was  afterwards  called  Laighen,  which 
is  its  present  Irish  name.  The  termination  ster,  which 
has  been  added  to  the  names  of  three  of  the  provinces, 
is  the  Scandinavian  or  Danish  stadr,  a  place.  Laighen- 
ster  (the  place  or  province  of  Laighen)  would  be  pro- 
nounced Laynster,  which  is  the  very  name  given  in 
a  state  paper  of  1515,  and  which  naturally  settled 
into  the  present  form,  Leinster. 

Leitrim,  the  name  of  more  than  40  townlands  and  vil- 
lages ;  Liath-dhruim  [Lee-drum],  F.  M.,  grey  drum 
or  ridge. 

Leixlip  ;  a  Danish  name,  meaning  salmon  leap  [lax,  a 
salmon),  from  the  well-known  cataract  on  the  Liffey, 
still  called  Salmon  leap,  a  little  above  the  village. 
By  Irish-Latin  writers  it  is  often  called  Saltus- 
salmonis  (the  leap  of  the  salmon) ;  and  from  this  word 
saltus,  a  leap,  the  baronies  of  Salt  in  Kildare  havo 
taken  their  name. 

Xeraanaghan  in  King's  County;  Liath-Manchain,  F.  M., 
St.  Manchan's  grey  land. 

Xena,  Leny ;  a  wet  meadow. 


Irish  Local  Names  explained.  65 

Lenamore ;  great  wet  meadow. 

Lerrig  in  Kerry ;  a  hill  side.     See  Largan. 

Letter ;  Leitir,  a  wet  hill  side. 

Lettera,  Letteragh,  Lettery ;  wet  hill-sides.  See  Lat- 
ter agh. 

Lctterkenny ;  a  shortened  form  of  LetUr-Cannanan,  the 
O'Cannanans'  hill-slope.  The  O'Cannanans,  or  as 
they  now  call  themselves,-  Cannons,  were  anciently 
chiefs  or  kings  of  Tirconnell,  till  they  ultimately  sank 
under  the  power  of  the  O'DonneUs. 

Lettermacaward  in  Donegal;  Leitir-Mic-a^-bhaird,  the 
hill  slope  of  Mac  "Ward,  or  the  bard's  son. 

Lettermore ;  great  wet  hill- side. 

Lettermullan ;  Leitir-Meallain,  F.  M.,  Meallan's  hill- 
slope. 

Levally ;  the  same  as  Lavally. 

Leyny.  The  descendants  of  Luigh  or  Lewy,  the  son  of 
Cormac  Gaileng  (see  Gallen),  were  called  Luighne 
[Leyny :  O'Dugan],  and  they  gave  name  to  the  barony 
of  Leyny  in  Sligo  {ne,  descendants). 

Lick;  the  same  as  Lack  and  Leek. 

Lickbla  in  "Westmeath ;  shortened  from  Ltag-Bladhma 
[Leeg-Blawma],  F.  M.,  the  flag-stone  of  JBladh  [Blaw], 
a  man's  name.     See  Slieve  Bloom. 

Lickeen ;  little  fliig- stone. 

Lickfinn  in  Tipperary;  white  flag- stone. 

Lickmolassy  in  Galway;  St  Molaise's  [Molasha's]  flag- 
stone. 

Lickoran ;  the  flag  of  the  cold  spring  {uaran). 

Limerick ;  corrupted  from  the  Irish  form  Luimnech 
[Liminagh],  F,  M.,  by  a  change  of  n  to  r  (see  p.  3) : 
the  name  signifies  a  bare  spot  of  land,  from  lom, 
bare. 

Lis,  Liss ;  Lios,  a  circiilar  earthen  fort. 

Lisalbanagh ;  the  AlbanagKs  or  Scotchman's  fort 

Lisanisk,  Lisauisky ;  the  fort  of  the  water  {uisgey 

Lisbane,  Lisbaun ;  white  lis  or  fort. 

Lisbellaw ;  Lios-hel-atha,  the  lis  of  the  ford-mouth. 

Lisboy ;  yellow  fort ;  probably  from  furze  blossoms. 

Liscannor  in  Clare ;  Canar's  fort. 

LiscarroU  in  Cork ;  CearlhaWs  or  Carroll's  fort. 


66  Irish  Local  Names  explained. 

Liscartan  ;  the  fort  of  the  forge  (ceardcha). 

Lisdoonvarna  in  Clare ;  takes  its  name  from  a  large  fort 
on  the  right  of  the  road  as  you  go  from  Bally  vaghan 
to  Ennistymon.  The  proper  name  of  this  is  Dun- 
hhearnach  [Doonvarna],  gapped  fort  (see  Barna),  from 
its  shape ;  and  the  word  Lis  was  added,  somewhat  in 
the  same  manner  as  "river"  in  the  expression  "the 
river  Liffey:"  Lisdoonvarna,  i.  e.  the  lis  (of)  Doon- 
varna. 

Lisdowney  in  Kilkenny ;  Downey's  fort. 

LisdufF,  Lisdoo ;  Lios-duhh,  black  fort. 

Lisheen ;  little  lis  or  fort. 

Lislea;  Lios-liath  [lee],  grey  fort. 

Lisle  vane  in  Cork ;  Lios-leamhain,  elm  fort. 

Lismore  ;  great  fort  Lismore  in  Waterford  received  its 
name  from  the  lis  or  entrenchment  built  by  St.  Car- 
thach  [Caurhagh]  round  his  religious  establishment. 
It  was  previously  called  Magh-sciath  [Maskee],  the 
plain  of  the  shield.  See  Origin  and  History  of  Irish 
Names  of  Places,  p.  261. 

Lismoyle;  Lios-mael,  bald  or  dilapidated  fort. 

Lismullin;  the  fort  of  the  mill. 

Lisnagat;  Lios-na-gcat,  the  fort  of  the  (wild)  cats. 

Lisnageeragh ;  the  fort  of  the  sheep  (caera). 

Lisnalee;  the  fort  of  the  calves  (laegh).     See  p.  2. 

Lisnamuck ;  the  lis  or  fort  of  the  pigs. 

Lisnaskea  in  Fermanagh;  the  fort  of  the  sceach  or 
whitethorn  tree.  It  took  its  name  from  the  cele- 
brated Sceach-ghahhra  [Skagowra],  under  which  the 
Maguire  used  to  be  inaugurated. 

Lisnisk,  Lisnisky ;  the  fort  of  the  water. 

Lissan,  Lissane ;  little  lis  or  fort. 

Lissaniska,  Lissanisky ;  the  fort  of  the  water. 

Lissaphuca ;  the  fort  of  the  pooka  or  spright. 

Lissard ;  high  fort. 

Listowel;  Ltos- I'uathail  [Lis-Thoohir\,  Tuathal' s  fort. 

Lissonuffy  in  Roscommon  ;  Lios-0-nDuhhthaigh  [Liso- 
nufiy],  F.  M.,  the  fort  of  the  O'Duffys. 

Lixnaw  in  Kerry;  Lic-Snamha  [Snawa],  F.  M.,  the 
flag-stone  of  the  swimming  (snamh).    See  Drumsna. 

Loughill,  Loughil ;  Leamhchoill  f  Lavwhill],  elm  wood. 


Irish  Local  Names  explained.  67 

Londonclerry.  Its  most  ancient  name,  according  to  all 
our  authorities,  yfasDoire-  Chalffaich[I)erTj-Ga]gagh.'], 
the  derry  or  oak  wood  of  Calgach  or  Galgacm.  In 
the  tenth  or  eleventh  century  it  began  to  be  called 
Derry- Columcille,  in  honour  of  St.  Columkille,  who 
founded  his  monastery  there  in  546 ;  and  this  name 
continued  to  the  time  of  James  L,  whose  charter, 
granted  to  a  company  of  London  merchants,  imposed 
the  name  of  Londonderry. 

Longfield ;  in  almost  all  cases  a  corruption  of  Leamh- 
choill  [Lavwhill],  elm  wood. 

Longford ;  Longphort  [Longfort],  a  fortress.  The  town 
of  Longford  is  called  in  the  Annals  Longford  O'Far- 
rell,  from  a  castle  of  the  O'FarreUs,  the  ancient  pro- 
prietors. 

Loop  Head  in  Clare ;  a  Danish  modification  of  Leap 
Head;  Irish  Leim- Chonchuillinn  [Leam-ConhuUin], 
F.  M.,  CuckuUtn's  leap.  For  legend  see  Origin  and 
History  of  Irish  Names  of  Places,  p.  163. 

Lorum  in  Carlow ;  Leamh-dhruim  [Lavrum],  elm  ridge. 

Lough  ;  a  lake  ;  an  inlet  of  the  sea. 

Loughan,  Loughane,  Loughaun ;  little  lake. 

Loughanreagh ;  grey  little  lake. 

Loughbeg ;  little  lake. 

Lough  Boderg ;  the  lake  of  the  red  cow. 

Lough  Bofin ;  the  lake  of  the  white  cow. 

Loughbrickland ;  corrupted  by  changing  r  to  /,  and 
adding  d  (see  pp.  3  and  4),  from  Loch-Bricrenn, 
F.  M.,  the  lake  of  Bricriu,  a  chief  of  the  first  century. 

Lough  Conn  in  Mayo;  Loch-Con,  F.  M.,  the  lake  of 
the  hound. 

Lough  Corrib ;  the  correct  Irish  name  is  Loch  Orlsen. 
F.  M.,  which  was  corrupted  by  the  attraction  of  the 
c  sound  in  Loch  to  Orhsen,  and  by  the  omission  of  the 
syllable  sen.  Orhsen  was  another  name  for  Manannan 
Mac  Lir,  a  celebrated  legendaiy  personage. 

Loughcrew  in  Meath ;  Loch-craeibhe  [creeve],  the  lake 
of  the  branchy  tree. 

Lough  Derg  on  the  Shannon ;  contracted  from  Loch- 
Lergdherc  [Dergerk],  the  lake  of  the  red  eye,  which 
is  explained  by  a  legend. 


68  Irish  Local  Names  explained. 

Lough  Derravara  in  "Westmeath;  Loch- Bairlhr each 
[Darravara],  F.  M.,  the  lake  of  the  oaks.  See  Dar- 
raragh. 

Lough  Erne ;  the  lake  of  the  Ernai,  a  tribe  of  people. 

Lough  Finn ;  see  Finn  river. 

Lough  Guitane  near  Killarney;  Loch-coitedin  [cut- 
thaun],  the  lake  of  the  little  cot  or  boat. 

Lough  Melvin ;  corrupted  from  Loch-Meilghe  [MelyeJ, 
the  lake  of  Meilghe,  an  ancient  king  of  Ireland. 

Lough  Neagh ;  written  in  the  Book  of  Leinster  Loch- 
nJEchach  [nehagh],  the  lake  of  Eochy  [Ohy],  a 
Munster  chief,  who  was  drowned  in  it  at  the  time  of 
its  eruption  in  the  first  century.  The  JV  is  a  mere 
grammatical  inflection,  and  the  name  is  often  used 
■without  it;  for  instance,  we  find  it  spelled  Lough 
Laugh  in  Camden,  as  well  as  in  many  of  the  maps  of 
the  16th  and  17th  centuries. 

Lough  Oughter  in  Cavan;  Loch-uachtar,  upper  lake, 
i.  e.  upper  as  regards  Lough  Erne. 

Loughrea  in  Galway ;  Loch-riahhach,  grey  lake. 

Lug ;  a  hoUow ;  the  same  as  Lag  and  Leg. 

Lugduft'  mountain  over  Glendalough;  black  hollow, 
from  a  hollow  at  the  base. 

Luggelaw ;  the  hollow  of  the  lagh  or  hill. 

Lugmore;  great  hollow. 

Lugnaquillia,  the  highest  mountain  in  Wicklow ;  Lug- 
na-gcoilleach  [Lugnagulliagh],  the  hollow  of  the 
cocks,  i.  e.  grouse. 

Lumcloon ;  bare  meadow  {lorn,  bare). 

Lurgan ;  the  shin ;  a  long  hill. 

Lurganboy  ;  yellow  long  hill. 

Lurraga ;  the  same  as  Lurgan. 

Lusk  in  Dublin  ;  Lusca,  a  cave. 

Lusmagh  in  King's  County ;  the  plain  of  herbs  (/««,  an 
herb). 

Lynally.  In  the  sixth  century  there  was  a  forest  here 
called  the  wood  of  Ela ;  and  the  church  founded  by 
St.  Colman,  about  the  year  590,  was  thence  called 
Lann-Ealla  (O'C.  Cal.),  the  church  of  Lla,  which 
has  been  anglicised  to  the  present  name. 

Lynn ;  a  form  of  Lann,  a  house  or  church. 


Irish  Local  Natnes  explained.  69 

Lyre;  Ladhar  [Lyre], a  fork  formed  by  rivers  or  glens. 

See  Lear. 
Mace  ;  Mas  [Mauce],  the  thigh,  a  long  low  hill. 
Mackan,   Mackanagh,    Macknagh,   Mackney;  a  place 

producing  parsnips  {meacan,  a  parsnip). 
Macosquin  in  Derry;  corrupted  from  Magh-Cosgrain 

[Macosgran],  F.  M.,  Cosgran^s  plain. 
Maghera ;  Machaire,  a  plain.     Maghera  in  Down  and 

Maghera  in  Derry,  are  both  contracted  from  Machaire- 

ratha  [Maghera-raha],  the  plain  of  the  fort. 
Magherabeg;  little  plain. 
Magheraboy ;  yellow  plain. 
Magheracloone ;  the  plain  of  the  chon  or  meadow. 
Magheraculmoney ;  the  plain  of  the  back  {ckT)  of  the 

shrubbery. 
Magheradrool  in  Down ;  Machaire-eadarghabhal  [Ma- 

ghera-addrool],   the  plain  between  the  (river)  forks 

{eadar,  between;  Q.ndi  gabhal).     See  Addergoole. 
Magherahamlet  in  Down ;  the  plain  of  the  Tamlaght  or 

plague  monument.     See  Tallaght. 
Magheramenagh  ;  middle  plain  (meadhonach). 
Magheramore ;  great  plain. 
Magherareagh ;  grey  plain  (riahhach). 
Maghery ;  a  form  of  ifaghera,  a  plain. 
Magunihy,    barony    of,   in    Kerry ;    Ifagh-gCoincimia 

[Magunkinny],  F.  M.,  the  plain  of  the  O'Conkins. 
Mahee  island  in  Strangford  Lough ;  the  island  of  St. 

Mochaei  [Mohee],  bishop,  a  disciple  of  St.  Patrick, 

and  the  founder  of  Nendrum, 
Maigue,  a  river  in  Limerick ;  called  J/ayrA  in  the  annals, 

i.  e.,  the  river  of  the  plain. 
Mallow  in  Cork  ;   called  in  the   Annals  MagTi-Edlla 

[Moyallo],  the  plain  of  the  river  Alio,  which  was 

anciently  the  name  of  that  part  of  the  Blackwater 

flowing  by  the  town.     See  Duhallow. 
Manulla  in  Mayo ;  Magh-Fhionnalbha  [Mah-Innalva], 

Hy.  F.,  Finalva's  plain. 
Massareene  in  Antrim;  Mds-a'-rt'oghna  [Massareena], 

the  queen's  bill. 
Maul ;  Meall,  a  lump,  a  hillock. 
Maum ;  Madhm  [Maum],  a  high  mountain  pass. 


70  Irish  Laval  Names  explained. 

Maumturk ;  the  pass  of  the  boars  {tore). 

Maw ;  Magh,  a  plain. 

Maynooth  ;  Magh-Niiadhat  [Ma-nooat],  F.  M.,  Miadh- 
afs  plain ;  from  Nuadhat,  king  of  Leinster,  foster- 
father  to  Owen  More  king  of  Munster.     See  Bear. 

Mayo ;  Maghed  [Ma-6],  the  plain  of  the  yews.  Full 
name  Itagheo-na-Saxan,  F.  M.,  Mayo  of  the  Saxons, 
from  a  number  of  English  monks  settled  there  in  the 
seventh  century,  by  St.  Colman,  an  Irish  monk,  after 
he  had  retired  from  the  see  of  Lindisfame. 

Meelick ;  Miliiic  [Meeluck],  F.  M.,  low  marshy  ground. 

Meen ;  a  mountain  meadow. 

^Meenadrcen ;  the  mountain  meadow  of  blackthorns. 

Meenkeeragh ;  mountain  meadow  of  the  sheep. 

i\Iilleen;  a  little  hillock.     See  Maul. 

Moan ;  Moin  [mono],  a  bog.     See  Mon. 

Moanduff  J  black  bog. 

Moanmore ;  great  bog. 

Moanroe ;  red  bog. 

Moanvane,  Moanvaun  j  Moin-hhdn,  white  bog. 

Moat ;  M6ta,  a  high  mound. 

Moate  in  "Westmeath ;  from  the  great  mound  at  the  vil- 
lage; full  name  Moategranoge,  the  moat  of  Graine-6g 
or  young  Grace,  who,  according  to  tradition,  was  a 
Munster  princess. 

MocoUop  ;  the  plain  {magh)  of  the  collops  or  cattle. 

Modeshill;  Alagh-deisiol  {^l&.-d.e^h.iY],  southern  plain. 

Mogeely ;  Magh-Il^,  F.  M.,  the  plain  of  He  or  Ely. 

Moher;  see  Cliffs  of  Moher. 

Mohill;  Maethail  [M waybill],  soft  or  spongy  land; 
from  maeth,  soft. 

Moig,  Moigh  ;  forms  of  Magh,  a  plain. 

Moira ;  Magh-rath,  F.  M.,  the  plain  of  the  forts. 

Mon ;  a  bog.     See  M  xin. 

Monabraher,  Monambraher,  Monamraher  ;  Moin-na- 
mhrathar,  F.  M.,  the  bog  of  the  .friars. 

Monagay  in  Limerick ;  the  bog  of  the  goose  (gedh) ; 
from  wild  geese. 

Monaghan;  MutneachAi\  F.  M.,  a  place  full  of  little 
hills  or  brakes  {muine). 


Irish  Local  ^ujuti  c^piauud.  71 

ifonamintra  in  TVaterford  ;  Moin-na-mhaintreahhaiyh 
[Monamointree],  the  bog  of  the  widows. 

Monard;  high  bog. 

Monasteranenagh  in  Limerick ;  Mainister-an-aenaigl 
[Monasteraneany],  F.  M.,  the  monastery  of  the  fain 
Anciently  called  Aenach-beag,  little  fair. 

Monasterboice  in  Louth;  the  monasteiy  of  St.  Boethius 
or  Buite,  who  founded  it  in  the  sixth  century. 

Slonasterevin ;  the  monastery  of  St.  Evin,  the  founder 
a  contemporary  of  St.  Patrick. 

Monasteroris  in  King's  County;  MainisUr-Fheorais, 
[orish :  F  aspirated  and  omitted  —  see  p.  2],  the 
monastery  of  Mac  Feorais  or  Bermingham,  who 
founded  it  in  A.D.  1325. 

Monear ;  a  meadow. 

Moneen ;  a  little  bog  {moin).  * 

Money ;  Muxne  [munny],  a  shrubbery. 

Moneydorragh ;  Muine-dorcha,  dark  or  gloomy  shrub- 
bery. 

Moneyduff;  Muine-duhh,  black  shrubbery. 

Moneygall ;  the  shrubbery  of  the  Galls  or  foreigners. 

Moneygorm ;  Muine-gorm,  blue  shrubbery. 

Moneymore;  great  shrubbery. 

Monivca  in  Galway;  Muine-an-mheadha  [Money-an-va], 
F.M.,  the  shrubbery  of  the  mead,  a  kind  of  drink. 

Monroe  ;  Moin-riiadh,  red  bog. 

Montiagh,  Montiaghs;  Mointmch,  a  boggy  place. 

Morgallion.  A  branch  of  the  Gailenga  (see  Gallen), 
settled  in  Leinster,  and  a  portion  of  them  gave  name 
to  the  ievviiovj  oi  Mor- Gailenga  or  the  great  Gail- 
enga, now  the  barony  of  Morgallion  in  Mcath. 

Mothel,  Mothell ;  same  as  MohilL 

.^Iountmellick.  The  old  anglicised  name  is  Moniiagh- 
meelick,  the  bogs  or  boggy  land  of  the  meelick  or 
marsh.     See  Montiagh  and  Meelick. 

Moume  mountains  in  Down.  The  ancient  name  was 
Beanna  Boirche  [Banna-Borka],  F.  M.,  the  peaks  of 
the  shepherd  Boirche.,  who  herded  on  these  mountains 
the  cattle  oiRoss,  king  of  Ulster  in  the  third  century. 
About  the  middle  of  the  twelffh  century,  a  tribe 
of  the   Mac  Mahons  from  Cremorue  (see  Cremorne), 


72  Irish  Local  N'ames  explained. 

Bettled  in  the  south  of  the  present  county  of  Down, 

and  gave  their  tribe  name  of  Mughdhorna  [Mourna], 

to  the  barony  of  Mourne,  and  to  the  Mourne  mountains. 
Movilla  in  Down ;  Magh-hhile  [Ma-villa],  O'O.  Cal.,  the 

plain  of  the  ancient  tree. 
Moville  in  Donegal ;  the  same  as  last. 
Moy ;  Magh  [mah],  a  plain. 
Moyacomb  in  Wicklow ;    Magh-da-cTion  [Moy-a-con], 

r.  M.,  the  plain  of  the  two  hounds. 
MoyalifFin  Tipperary;  Magh-Ailbhe  [Moyalva],  F.  Jf., 

Ailbhe's  or  Alva's  plain. 
Moyard ;  high  plain. 

Moyarget;  MagTi-airgid,  the  plain  of  silver. 
Moyarta  in  Clare ;  Magh-fherta  {fh  silent :  see  p.  2), 

the  plain  of  the  grave. 
Moycullen  in  Galway ;  the  plain  of  holly. 
Moydow  in  Longford ;  Magh-dumha  [Moy-dooa],  F.  M., 

the  plain  of  the  burial  mound. 
Moygawnagh  in  Mayo ;  written  in  the  Book  of  Lecan, 

Magh-gamhnach,  the  plain  of  the  milch  cows. 
Moyglass ;  green  plain. 
Moygoish.     The  descendants  of  Colla   TJais  (see  Cre- 

morne),  were  called  Tli  mic  Uais  [Ee-mic-Oosh] ;  a 

portion  of  whom  were  settled  in  Westmeath,  and  gave 

their  name  to  the  barony  of  Moygoish. 
Moyle ;  Mael,  a  bald  or  bare  hill. 
Moylough ;  the  plain  of  the  lake. 
Moymore ;  great  plain. 
Moynalty  in  Meath ;  Magh-nealta  [Moynalta],  the  plain 

of  the  flocks  {ealtd). 
Moyne ;  Maighin  [Moin],  a  little  plain. 
Moynce  in  Clare ;  same  as  Mayo :  the  » is  a  grammatical 

accident. 
Moynure;  the  plain  of  the  yew  {iulhar). 
Moyrus ;  the  plain  of  the  ros  or  peninsula. 
Moys ;  i.  e.  plains ;  from  magh. 
Muckamore  in  Antrim ;  Magh-comair   [Ma-cummcr], 

P.  M.,  the  plain  of  the  cummer  or  confluence  (of  the 

Six  mile  Water  with  Lough  Neagh). 
Muckanagh,  Muckenagh ;  Muiceannach,  a  resort  of  pigs; 

a  place  where  pigs  used  to  feed  or  sleep  (from  muc). 


Irish  Local  Names  e^lained.  73 

Muckelty,  Mucker,  Muckera,  Muckery;   the  same  as 

Muckanagh. 
Mucklagh ;  Mticlach,  same  as  Muckanagh. 
Muckinish ;  pig  island. 
Muckloon,  Mucklone,  Mucklin ;  Muc-chluain,  pig  mea' 

dow. 
Muckno  in  Monaghan ;  Mucshnamh  [Mucknauv],  F.  M., 

the  swimming  place  (snamh)  of  the  pigs ;  the  place 

where  pigs  used  to  swim  across  the  little  lake. 
Muckross ;  the  peninsula  of  the  pigs. 
Muff;  a  corruption  of  Afagh,  a  plain. 
Muing ;  a  sedgy  place. 
Mullacrew  in  Louth ;  MuUach-craeihhe  [Mullacreevo], 

the  summit  of  the  spreading  tree. 
Mullagh ;  Mullach,  a  summit. 
Mullaghareirk  mountains  near  Abbeyfeale  in  Limerick ; 

Mullach-d' -radhairc  [rlrk],  the  summit  of  the  pros- 
pect. 
MuUaghbane ;  white  summit. 
Mullaghboy;  yellow  summit. 
Mullaghbrack ;  speckled  summit 
Mullaghdoo,  Mullaghduff ;  black  summit. 
Mullaghglass ;  green  summit. 
Mullaghmeen  ;  Midlach-min,  smooth  summit. 
Mullaghmore ;  great  summit. 
Mullaghroe ;  MuUach-ruadh,  red  summit. 
Mullan,  Mullaun;  a  little  mullach  or  summit. 
Mullans;  little  summits, 
Mullen,  Mullin ;  Muikann  [mullen],  a  mill. 
Mullinahone  in  Tipperary ;    Muileann-na-huamhains 

[Mullinahooan],  the  mill  of  the  cave  (uamha) ;  from 

a  cave  near  the  village  through  which  the  little  river 

runs. 
Mullinavat  in  Kilkenny;  Muiknn-a* -Ihata,  the  mill  of 

the  stick. 
Mully;  the  same  as  Mullagh. 
Multyfamham  in  "Westmeath ;  Muilte-Farannain  [Mul- 

ty-Farannan],    Farannan's    mills    {muilenn,    plural 

muille). 
Mimster.    Old  Irish  name  Mumhan  [Mooan],  which, 


74  Irish  Local  Names  explained. 

with  ster  added  (see  Leinster),  forms  Mwjhan-ster 
[Moonster]  or  Munster. 

Murragh,  Murreagh  ;  Murbhach  [Murvagh],  a  flat 
marshy  piece  of  land  by  the  sea. 

Murrow  of  Wicklow;  same  as  Murragh. 

Muskerry.  The  people  descended  from  Carbery  Muse, 
son  of  Conary  II.  (see  Corkaguiny),  were  called  Mus- 
craidhe  [Muskcry:  O'Dugan] ;  of  these  there  Avere 
several  tribes,  one  of  which  gave  name  to  the  two 
baronies  of  Muskerry  in  Cork. 

Myshall  inCarlow;  i/w«]5'A-isea/[Mweeshal],  low  plain. 

Naas  in  Kildare,  the  most  ancient  residence  of  the 
kings  of  Leinster ;  Nds  [Nawce],  a  fair  or  meeting 
place. 

Nantinan  in  Limerick  ;  Neantandn,  a  place  of  nettles 
{neantd). 

Nappan  in  Antrim ;  Cnapdn,  a  little  hill. 

Naul  in  the  north  of  Dublin ;  *n-aill  [naul],  the  cliff. 
The  article  incorporated :  see  Nenagh. 

Ned;  Nead  [Nad],  a  bird's  nest. 

Nenagh  in  Tipperary.  Irish  name  Aenach  [Enagh],  a 
fair ;  the  N  is  a  contraction  for  the  Irish  definite 
article  "an,"  which  has  become  incorporated  with 
the  word : — ^n-Aenach  [Nenagh],  the  fair.  The  full 
name  is  Aenach- Vrmhumhan  [Enagh-urooan]  the  fair 
of  Ormond  or  east  Munster;  and  this  name  is  still 
used  by  those  speaking  Irish. 

Newrath ;  ^n-Iuhhrach  [Nuragh],  the  yew  land ;  by  the 
incorporation  of  the  article. 

New  Koss.  Irish  name  Ros-mic-Treoin  [Rosraictrone], 
the  wood  {ros)  of  the  son  of  Treim. 

Newry.  Ancient  name  Iiihhar-cimi-tragha  [Yure-Kin- 
traw],  the  yew  tree  at  the  head  of  the  strand.  In 
after  ages  this  was  shortened  to  luhhar,  which,  with 
the  article  prefixed  (see  Nenagh),  and  y  added,  be- 
came changed  to  the  present  form  Newry. 

Nicker  in  Limerick  ;  Cainicer  [Knickcre],  a  rabbit 
warren  (fjom  coinhi). 

Nobber;  Obair  [obber],  work,  with  the  article  incorpo- 
rated (see  Nenagh): — Nobber,  "the  work,"  a  name 


IriiJi  L<ji->i.l  X'iiii'js  crjjuunrd.  75 

applied,  according  to  tradition,  to  the  English  castle 
erected  there. 

Nohoval  in  Cork  and  Kerry ;  shortened  from  Nuachonrj- 
hhail  [Nuhongval],  new  congbhail  or  habitation.  See 
Conwal. 

Nure;  the  same  formation  and  meaning  as  Kewry. 

"Numey  in  Kildareand  Carlow;  Urnaidhe  [urny],  F.IT., 
a  prayer  house  or  orator}-,  "with  the  arlicle  incorpo- 
rated.    See  Nenagh  and  Urney. 

Offaly,  baronies  of,  in  Kildare.  The  descendants  of 
Ros-failghe  [faly]  or  Ros  of  the  rings,  the  eldest  son 
of  Cahirmore  (king  of  Ireland  from  A.  D.  120  to 
123)  were  called  Hy  Failghe  (O'Dugan),  i.e.  the 
descendants  of  Failghe  (see  Iverk) ;  and  a  portion  of 
their  ancient  inheritance  still  retains  this  name,  in 
the  modernized  form  OfFaly. 

Offerlane  in  Queen's  County;  a  tribe  name;  Ui  Foir- 
chealldin  [Hy  Forhellane],  F.  M.,  the  descendants 
[mi]  of  Foirchealldn. 

OghUl;  Eochaill  [Oghill],  yew  wood  {e6  and  coill). 

Oneilland.  Nialldn,  the  fourth  in  descent  from  CoUa 
Da  Chrioch  [cree]  brother  of  Colla  Meann  (see  Cre- 
mome),  was  the  progenitor  of  the  tribe  called  Hy 
Niallain  (i.e.  Niallan's  race),  F.  il.,  and  their  ancient 
patrimony  forms  the  two  baronies  of  Oneilland  in 
Armagh,  which  retain  the  name.     D  added ;  see  p.  4. 

Oola  in  Limerick  and  Waterford;  Ulhla  [OolaJ,  a  place 
of  apples,  an  orchard  (from  ubhall  or  abhalf). 

Oran ;   Uaran  [uran]  a  cold  spring. 

Oranmore  in  Gal  way;  great  cold  spring, 
ughterard ;  upper  height  (ttacMar,  upper), 
ulart  in  Wexford ;  ahhall-ghort  [oulort],  an  orchard, 
compounded  of  abhall  and  gort. 

unagceragh  river  flowing  into  theFuncheon;  Abh-nO' 
gcaerach,  the  river  of  the  sheep. 

Ovens,  The,  near  Ballincollig  in  Cork ;  called  in  Irish 
Uiamhanna  [Oovana]  i.  e.  the  caves,  from  the  great 
limestone  caves  near  the  village ;  and  the  people  by 
a  slight  change  of  pronunciation  have  converted  these 
oovans  or  caves  into  orens.  See  Athnowen. 
Owbeg  river;  Abhheaq,  little  river. 


76  Iriiih  Local  Names  explained. 

Owenass  river  at  Mountmellick ;  the  river  of  the  cata- 
ract {eas). 

Owenboy;  yellow  river  (ahhatnn). 

Owenclogy  ;  stony  river  (abhainn  and  clock). 

Owenduff ;  black  river, 

Owenmore;  Ahhainn-mor,  gi'eat  river. 

Owenreagh  ;  grey  river  {riabhach). 

Oxmantown  or  Ostmantown  in  Dublin ;  so  called  be- 
cause the  Danes  or  Ostmen  had  a  fortified  settlement 
there. 

Ox  mountains :  called  in  Irish  Sliabh-ghamh  [Slieve- 
gauv],  F.  M.,  the  mountain  of  the  storms,  which  in 
the  spoken  language  was  mistaken  for  Sliahh-dhamh, 
the  mountain  of  the  oxen,  and  translated  accord- 
ingly. _ 

Park ;  Irish  Pairc,  a  field. 

Parkmore ;  great  field. 

Phoenix  Park  in  Dublin,  took  its  name  from  a  beautiful 
spring  well  near  the  Viceregal  Lodge,  called  Fionn- 
uisg'  [feenisk],  clear  or  limpid  water. 

Poll ;  a  hole,  pit,  or  pool. 

PoUacappul ;  Poll-d-chapaill,  the  hole  of  the  horse. 

Pollagh ;  a  place  full  of  holes  or  pits. 

Pollanass  at  Glendalough ;  the  pool  of  the  waterfall. 

PoUans ;  holes,  pools,  or  pits. 

Pollaphuca;  the  foolicCs  or  demon's  hole. 

Pollrone  in  Kilkenny ;  Poll-Ruadhain  [Ruan],  Ruadh- 
an^s  hole. 

Pollsallagh,  Poilsillagh ;  the  hole  of  the  sallows. 

Portlaw  in  Waterford ;  Port-lagha,  the  bank  or  landing 
place  of  the  hill. 

Portmarnock ;  St.  Mernoc's  bank  or  landing  place. 

Portnashangan ;  the  port,  bank,  or  landing  place  of  the 
seangans  or  pismires. 

Portraine;  see  Lambay  island. 

Portrush  in  Antrim ;  Port-ruis,  the  landing  place  of  the 
peninsula. 

Portumna  in  Galway ;  Porf-omna,  F.  M.,  the  landing 
place  of  the  oak. 

Pottle  in  Cavan ;  a  measure  of  land. 

Preban,  Prebaun,  Pribbaun ;  Preabdn,  a  patch. 


Irish  Local  Names  explained.  77 

Pubble;  Pohul,  people,  a  congregation. 

Pubblebrien  in  Limerick ;  O'Brien's  people;  for  it  was 

the  patrimony  of  the  O'Briens. 
Pullagh  ;  a  place  full  of  holes. 
Pullans,  Pullens ;  little  holes  or  pits. 
Quilcagh  mountain  at  the  source  of  the  Shannon  in 

Cavan;  Cailceach,  chalky;  from  its  white  face. 
Quilly ;  Coillidh  [cuilly],  woodland. 
Racavan ;  Rath-cabhain,  the  fort  of  the  hollow. 
Rahan  in  King's  County  ;  Haithin,  a  feniy  place. 
Rahaniska,  Eahanisky ;  the  rath  of  the  water. 
Rahard;  Rath-ard,  high  fort. 

Rahamey  in  Westmeath ;  Rath-Athairne,  Ahamy's  fort. 
Raheen ;  little  rath  or  fort. 
Raheenduff ;  black  little  fort 
Raheenroe ;  Raith'in-ruadh,  red  little  fort. 
Rahelty;  Rath-eilte,  the  fort  of  the  doe  (eilit). 
Raheny  near  Dublin ;  Rath-Enna,  P.M.,  Enna's  fort. 
Rahugh  in  Westmeath ;  the  fort  of  St.  Aedh  or  Hugh, 

the  son  of  Brec,  who  built  a  church  in  the  old  rath 

in  the  sixth  century. 
Raigh  ;  same  as  Rath,  a  fort. 
Rakeeragh ;  the  fort  of  the  sheep  {caera). 
Ramoan  in  Antrim ;  Rath-Modhain,  Modan's  fort. 
Ranaghan,  Rannagh ;  a  ferny  place  {raithne,  a  fern). 
Raphoe  in  Donegal;  Rath-bhoth  [RA-voh],  F.  M.,  the 

fort  of  the  boths,  tents,  or  huts. 
Rasharkin  in  Antrim;  Ros-Earcdin,  Erkan's  promontory. 
Rashee  in  Antrim ;  Rath-sithe  [Ra-shee],  P.  M.,  the  fort 

of  the  fairies. 
Ratass  in  Kerry  ;  Rath-teas,  southern  fort. 
Rath  ;  a  circular  fort. 
Rathangan  in  Kildare;  Rath-Iomghain  [Rath-ImganJ, 

Imgan's  fort. 
Rathanny ;  Rath-eanaighe,  the  fort  of  the  marsh. 
Rathaspick  ;  the  fort  of  the  bishop  (easpug'). 
Rathbane,  Rathbaun ;  white  rath. 
Rathbeg;  little  fort. 
Rathborney  in  Clare;  Rath-loirne,  the  fort  of  Burren, 

from  its  situation  in  the  old  district  of  Burren. 
Rathcorraack ;  Cormac's  fort. 


78  Irish  Local  Names  explained. 

Rathdowney  in  Queen's  County;  Rath-tamhnaigh  [Rath- 
towney],  F.  M.,  the  fort  of  the  green  field  {tamhur 

ach). 
Rathdrum ;  the  fort  of  the  long  hill. 
RathdufF ;  black  fort. 
Rathfeigh  in  Meath;    the  fort  of  the  exercise  green. 

See  Faha. 
Rathfryland  in  Down ;  see  page  4. 
Rathglass ;  green  fort. 
Eathkeale ;  Bath-  Gaela,  Gaela's  fort. 
Rathkenny ;  Rath-  Cheannaigh  [Kanny],  CeannacWs  fort. 
Eathkieran  in  Kilkenny ;  Xieran's  fort ;  from  St.  Kieran 

of  Ossory.     See  Seirkieran. 
Rathmore ;  great  fort. 
Rathmoyle ;  bald  or  dilapidated  fort. 
Rathmullan;  Rath-Maelain,  F.  M.,  Maelan's  rath. 
Rathnew  in  Wicklow;  Rath-Naoi,  F.  M.,  NaoVs  fort, 
Rathreagh ;  Rath-riahhach,  grey  fort. 
Rathroe ;  red  fort. 
Rathronan ;  Ronan's  fort. 
Rathsallagh;  Rath-salach,  dirty  fort. 
Rathvilly  in  Carlow;  Rath-hiU,  F.  M.,  the  fort  of  the 

old  tree. 
Rattoo;  Rath-tuaidh  [too],  northern  fort. 
Raw ;  Rath,  a  fort. 
Rea ;  Reidh,  a  coarse  mountain  flat. 
Reask,  Reisk ;  Rtasg  [Reesk],  a  marsh. 
Reen ;  Rtttn,  a  point  of  laud. 

Relagh ;  Reidhleach  [Relagh],  same  meaning  as  Rea. 
Relickmurry;   Reilig,    a  church:   the  church   of  the 

Blessed  Virgin  Mary. 
Riesk;  a  marsh;  same  as  Reask. 
Rin,  Rine,  Rinn ;  Rinn,  a  point  of  land. 
Ring;  another  form  of  Rin. 
Ringabella  near  the  mouth  of  Cork  harbour ;  the  point 

of  the  old  tree  (bile). 
Ringagouagh  near  Dungarvan;  Rinn-G'gCuana  [Ogoo- 

na],the  point  or  peninsula  of  the  O'Cooneys. 
Ringbane,  Ringbaun  ;  white  point. 
Ringcurran  near   Kinsale;  the  point  of  the  corrdn  or 

reaping  hook  ;  from  its  shape. 


Irt-^/t  Lir'ai  ^^  I 


.I'jitO.tif 


Ringrone  near  Kinsale ;  written  in  the  Annals  of  Innis- 

fallen,  Hum-rdtn,  the  point  of  the  seal. 
Eingvilla,  Eingville;  Jimn-hhile  [xiHsl],  the  point  of  the 

bile  or  ancient  tree. 
Rinneen ;  little  point  of  land. 
Einville  in  Gal  way ;  Rinn-Mhil  [vil],  the  point  of  MU, 

a  Firbolg  chieftain. 
Eisk ;  same  as  Keask, 

Roeillaun;  Ruadh-oilean  [Roo-illaun],  red  island. 
Eooaun,  Eooghan,  Eooghaun ;  reddish  land  (from  ruadh, 

red). 
Eoosk ;  Btisp,  a  marsh.     See  Eeask. 
Eoosca,  Eooskagh,  Eoosky ;  Riisgach,  marshy,  a  marshy- 
place. 
Eoscommon;  Ros-Comat'n,  F.  M.,  Coman's  wood,  from 

St.  Coman,  who  founded  a  monastery  there  in  the 

eighth  century. 
Eoscrea ;  written  in  the  Book  of  Leinster,  Ros-cre,  Crit 

wood. 
Roshin ;  little  ros  or  promontory. 
Eoskeen ;  Ros-caet'n,  beautiful  wood. 
Eoss ;  in  the  south  generally  means  a  wood ;  in  the 

north,  a  peninsula. 
Eossbegh  or  Eossbehy  west  of  Killamey ;  the  peninsula 

of  birches  (Jbeith). 
Eossbeg;  small  wood  or  promontory. 
Eoss  Carbery  in  Cork ;  the  latter  part  from  the  barony 

of  Carbery   in  which  it   is    situated :    it  was   an- 
ciently called  Ros-ailithir  [allihir],  F.  il.,  the  wood 

of  the  pilgrims. 
Ross  Castle  at  Killamey;  from  the  little  ro*  or  penin* 

sula  on  which  it  stands. 
Eosses  in  Donegal;  i.  e.  peninsulas. 
Eossinver  in  Leitrim ;  Ros-inhhir,  the  peninsula  of  the 

river  mouth ;  from  a  point  of  land  running  into  the 

south  part  of  Lough  itelvin. 
Eossmore ;  great  wood  or  peninsula. 
Eossorry  near  Enniskillen ;  corrupted  from  Rot-airthir 

[arher],  F.  !5I.,  the  eastern  peninsula. 
Eoughan,  Euan ;  same  as  Eooaun. 
Kousky ;  same  as  Eoosea  and  Eooskey. 


80  Irish  Local  Names  explained. 

Route.  The  northern  part  of  Antrim  was  anciently 
called  Balriada  (F.  M.),  i.  e.  Riada's  portion  or  tribe, 
from  Carbery  Riada,  son  of  Conary  II.  (see  Corka- 
guiny) ;  and  the  latter  part  {Riada)  of  this  old  name, 
is  still  preserved  in  the  corrupted  form  of  Route. 

Rush  in  Dublin ;  5os-eo  [Rush-5],  F.  M.,  the  peninsula 
of  the  yew  trees. 

Rusheen  ;  small  wood;  a  growth  of  underwood. 

Russagh  ;  Ros-eaeh,  F.  M.,  the  wood  of  the  horses. 

Rusky ;  the  same  as  Roosca  and  Roosky. 

Saggart  in  Dublin;  contracted  from  Tassagard,  Irish 
Teach- Sacra  [Tassacra],  O'C.  Cal.,  the  house  of  St. 
Sacra,  who  flourished  in  the  seventh  century. 

Saint  Mullins  in  Carlow;  Irish  name  Tigh-Moling  [Tee- 
Moiling],  0"C.  Cal.,  the  house  of  St.  Moling,  a 
native  of  Kerry,  who  erected  a  church  there  about 
the  middle  of  the  seventh  century.     See  Timolin. 

Salt,  baronies  of,  in  Kildare ;  see  Leixlip, 

Santry  in  Dublin ;  Sentreihh  [Shantrev;  Mart.  Taml.], 
old  tribe. 

Saul  near  Downpatrick ;  SalhaU[^di\x\\  a  barn.  Bichu, 
the  prince  of  the  surrounding  district,  was  St.  Patrick's 
first  convert  in  Ireland;  the  chief  made  the  saint  a 
present  of  his  barn,  to  be  used  temporarily  as  a 
church ;  and  hence  the  place  was  called  Sahhall- 
Patrick,  St.  Patrick's  barn,  now  shortened  to  SauL 

Scalp;  Scealp  [Scalp],  a  cleft  or  chasm. 

Scarawalsh  in  Wexford ;  Irish  name  Sgairlh-a'' 
Bhreathnaigh  [Scarriff-a-vranny],  Walsh's  scarriff 
or  shallow  ford  (see  Ballybrannagh) ;  which,  with  an 
obvious  alteration,  has  given  name  to  the  barony  of 
Scarawalsh. 

Scardan,  Scardaun :  Scardan,  a  cataract. 

Scarriff;  Scairhh  [Scarriv],  a  rugged  shallow  ford. 

Scart ;  Scairt  [Scart],  a  thicket  or  cluster. 

Scartaglin  in  Kerry  ;  the  thicket  of  the  glen. 

Scarteen  ;  a  little  thicket  or  cluster. 

Scartlea  in  Cork ;  Scairt-liath,  grey  thicket. 

Scarva  ;  another  form  of  Scarriff. 

Seagoe ;  Suidhe-  Gobha  [Seegow],  the  seat  of  St.  Gohha 
[gow]  or  Gobanus 


Irish  Local  Names  explained.  bl 

Seapatrick ;  Patrick's  seat  (suidhe). 

See ;  siu'dhe  [see],  a  seat  or  sitting  place, 

Seefin;  Suidhe-Finn  [Seefin],  the  seat  of  Finn  Mac  Coole. 

Seein  in  Tyrone ;  same  as  Seefin,  with  /  aspirated  and 

omitted  [Suidhe-Fhinn). 
Seirkieran  near  Parsonstown.     St.  Ciaran  or  Kieran  of 

Ossory,  disciple  of  St.  Finnian  of  Clonard,  erected  a 

monastery  in  the  sixth  century,  at  a  place  called 

Saighir  [Sair],  which  was  the  name  of  a  fountain  ; 

and  after   the   saint's   time  it  was  called  Saighir' 

Chiarain  [Sairkeeran],  now  contracted  to  Seirkieran. 
Seltan ;  a  place  of  sallows. 
Seskin ;  Sescenn,  a  marsh. 

Sessia,  Sessiagh ;  Seiseadk  [shesha],  the  sixth  part. 
Shallon  ;  Seal  an,  a  hangman's  rope,  a  gallows. 
Shan ;  Sean  [shan],  old. 
Shanaclogh ;  Seancloch,  old  stone  castle. 
Shanacloon  ;  old  cloon  or  meadow. 
ShenagaiTy  ;  old  garry  (garrdlm)  or  garden. 
Shanagolden  in  Limerick;  Seangualann  [ Shanagoolan], 

old  shoulder  or  hill. 
Shanakill  j  old  church. 
Shanavally,  Shanbally  -,  old  hally  or  town. 
Shanbogh,  Shanbo;  old  both  or  tent.  — 

Shandon;  old  dun  or  fortress. 
Shandrum ;  old  drum  or  ridge. 
Shangarry;  same  as  Shanagarry. 
Shankill ;  old  church. 
Shanmullagh ;  old  mullach  or  summit. 
Shantallow;  Seantalamh  [ShantalavJ,  old  land. 
Shanvally ;  old  bally  or  town  {h  aspirated). 
Shean,  Sheean,  Sheeaun;  Sidhedn  [sheeaun],  a  fairy 

hiU. 
Shee ;  sidh  [shee],  a  fairy,  a  fairy  hill. 
Sheeroe  ;  red  fairy  hill. 

Sheetrim;  Sidh-dhruiin  [_^\iQQdivim),  fairy  ridge. 
Shelburne  barony  in  Wexford;  from  the  tribe  oi Siol- 

Brain  (O'Dugan),  the  seed  or  progeny  oi  Bran. 
Shelmaliere  in  Wexford ;  the  descendants  of  ilaliere  or 

Maelughra  [ileelura]. 
Sheskin ;  Sescenn,  a  marsh.     See  Seskin. 


82  insh  Local  Ifames  eaiplatned. 

Shillelagh  in  Wicklow;  Siol-Elaigh  (Sheelealy :  O'Du- 

gan],  the  seed  or  descendants  of  £tach. 
Bhinrone  in  King's  County;  Suidhe-an-rdin  [Sheenrone], 

F.  M.,  the  seat  of  the  ron,  i.  e.  literally  a  seal,  but 

figuratively  a  hirsute  or  hairy  man, 
Shrone ;  sr6n,  a  nose,  a  pointed  hill. 
Shruel,  Shrule ;  see  page  3. 
Sion ;  sidhedn  [sheeaun],  a  fairy  mount. 
Skagh ;  Sceaeh,  a  white  thorn  bush. 
Skahanagh,  Skehanagh;  a  place  full  ofsceachs  or  white 

thorns. 
Skeagh,  Skea ;  the  same  as  Skagh. 
Skeheen;  a  little  sceaeh  or  bush. 
Skelgagh ;  a  place  of  sTcelligs  or  rocks. 
Skellig  rocks  off  the  coast  of  Kerry;   Sceilig  means  a 

rock. 
Skerries,  Skerry;  Scelr  [sker],  a  sea  rock;  Bceire  [skerry], 

sea  rocks. 
Skreen,  Skrine;  /Scrzw  [skreeu],  a  shrine. 
Sleaty  in  Queen's  County ;  sleibhte  [Sleaty],  F.  M.,  i.  e. 

mountains,  the  plural  of  sUahh :  from  the  adjacent  hills 

of  Slieve  Margy. 
Slee ;  Slighe  [slee],  a  road. 
Slemish  mountain  in  Antrim,  on  which  St.  Patrick  passed 

his  youth  herding  swine;  Sliabh-Mts,  the  mountain  of 

Mis,  a  woman's  name. 
Sleveen ;  little  slieve  or  mountain. 
Slieve ;  Sliahh  [sleeve],  a  mountain. 
Slieve  Anierin  in  Leitrim ;  Sliahh-an'iarainn,  the  moun- 
tain of  the  iron ;  from  its  richness  in  iron  ore. 
Slievebane,  Slievebaun ;  white  mountain. 
Slievebeagh,  a  range  of  mountains  on  the  borders  of 

Monaghan,  Fermanagh,  and  Tyrone;  Slialh-Beatha 

[Slieve  Baha],  F.  M.,  the  mountain  of  Bith,  a  le- 
gendary hero. 
Slieve  Bernagh  in  the  east  of  Clare ;  Sltalh-bearnach, 

gapped  mountain.     See  Lisdoonvarna. 
Slievebloom ;  Sliahh-Bladhma  [Slieve-Blawma],  F.  M., 

the  mountain  of  ^/a<?A  [Blaw],  ono  of  the  Milesian 

heroes. 
Slieveboy;  yellow  mountain. 


Irish  Local  Names  explained^  83 

Slieve  Corragh ;  rugged  mountain. 

Slieve  Donard,  the  highest  of  the  Mourne  mountains. 
Domhanghart  [Donart],  son  of  the  king  of  dlidia,  and 
one  of  St.  Patrick's  disciples,  built  a  little  church  on 
the  very  summit  of  this  mountain ;  hence  it  was 
called  Sliahh- Domhanghart,  Donart's  mountain,  now 
anglicised  Slieve  Donard.  Its  ancient  name  was  Slieve 
Slanga,  from  the  bardic  hero  Slainge,  the  son  of 
Parthalon,  who  was  buried  on  its  summit,  where  his 
cam  is  still  to  be  seen. 

Slieve  Eelim,  a  mountain  range  east  of  Limerick ;  Sliahh- 
Eibhlinne  [Slieve-Evlinne],  Evlin's  mountain. 

Slieve  Fuad  near  Newtownhamilton  in  Armagh ;  Fuad's 
mountain;  from  the  Milesian  hero  Fuad,  who  was 
slain  there. 

Slieve  League  in  Donegal ;  Sltahh-h'ag,  the  mountain 
of  the  flag- stones. 

Slieve  Lougher  east  of  Castleisland  in  Kerry;  Sliabh- 
luachra,  rushy  mountain. 

Slieve  Mish  near  Tralee  ;  same  as  Slemish. 

Slievenagriddle  near  Downpatrick ;  the  mountain  of  the 
griddle;  the  griddle  is  a  cromlech  on  the  hill. 

Slievenamon  in  Tipperary ;  Sliahh-na-mhan,  the  moun- 
tain of  the  women.  Full  name  Sliahh-na-inhan- 
Feimhinn  [Slievenamon-Fevin],  the  mountain  of  the 
women  of  Feimheann,  the  ancient  territory  surround- 
ing it. 

Slievenamuck ;  the  mountain  of  the  pigs. 

Slievereagh ;  Sliabh-rtabhach,  grey  mountain. 

Slieveroe ;  red  mountain. 

Slievesnaght ;  the  mountain  of  the  snow  (sneacht). 

Sligo;  named  from  the  river:  >S'//^eacA[Sliggagh],  F.  M., 
shelly  river  (sltg,  a  shell). 

Sligutf;  a  corruption  (see  page  4)  from  Slighe-dhuhh 
[Slee-duv],  black  road. 

Slyne  Head  in  Galway;  Irish  name  Ceann-leama  [Can- 
leama],  the  head  of  the  Lyme  or  leap  {leim),  which 
has  been  corrupted  to  the  present  name  by  changing 
m  to  w,  and  prefixing  s.     See  Stabannon. 

Solloghod  in  Tipperary ;  Sulchoid  [sollohed],  F.  M.,  sal- 
low wood. 

e  2 


84  Irish  Local  Names  explained. 

Soimagh ;  a  mound  or  rampart. 

Sragh,  Srah  ;  srath  [srah],  a  river  holm. 

Srahan,  Srahaun,  Sraheen ;  little  river  holm. 

Sroohill ;  see  page  3. 

Srough;  Sruth  [sruh],  a  stream. 

Sroughmore ;  great  srutk  or  stream. 

Sruffaun;  Sruthdn  [Sruhaun],  a  streamlet  (p.  4). 

Stabannon;  corrupted  from  Tabannon,  Bannon's  house 

{teach),  by  prefixing  s.     See  Slyne  head. 
Stackallen  in  Meath;  Teach-Collain  [TacoUan],  F.  M., 

Collan's  house. 
Staholmog  in  Meath ;    St.    Colmoc^s    or   Mocholmoc^s 

house. 
StamuUin  in  Meath ;  MaelarCs  house. 
Stang ;  a  measure  of  land. 
Stillorgan  in  Dublin;  Tigh-Lorcain  [Teelorcan],  Lor- 

can's  or  Laurence's  house  or  church. 
Stonecarthy  in  Kilkenny ;  first  syllable  a  corruption  of 

statiff :  Cartliy's  stan^  or  measure  of  land. 
Stonybatter  in  Dublin ;  stony  road:  see  Batterstown  and 

Booterstown. 
Stock;  Stuaic  [stock],  a  pointed  pinnacle. 
Stookan,  Stookeen ;  a  little  stook  or  pointed  rock. 
Stradbally;  Sradbhaile  [Sradvally],  F.  M.,  street- town; 

a  town  of  one  street. 
Stradone,  Stradowan;  Srath-doimhin  [Sradowan],  deep 

srath  or  river  holm. 
Stradreagh ;  grey  street. 
Straduff ;  black  river  holm. 
Straffan  in  Kildare ;  same  as  SruflEaun. 
Straid,  Strade,  Sraud;  Srdid  [Sraud],  a  street. 
Strancally  near  Youghal ;   Sron-caillighe  [Srone-cally], 

the  hag's  nose  or  point. 
Strangford  Lough  in  Down;  a  Danish  name;  strong 

fiordi  or  bay,  from  the  well-known  tidal  currents  at 

its  entrance.     Irish  name  Loch  Cuan. 
Struell ;  see  page  3. 
Sylaun ;  a  place  of  sallows. 
Taghadoe  in  Kildare;  Teach-Tuae  [Taghtoo],  F.  M., 

the  house  of  St.  Tua. 
Taghboy ;  yellow  house. 


Irkh  Local  Names  explained.  85 

Taghmon  in  "Wexford;  written  in  the  Book  of  Leinster 
TeacTi-Munna  [Taghmnnna],  the  house  of  St.  ITunna 
or  Fintan,  who  founded  a  monastery  there,  and  died 
in  A.  D.  634. 

Tallaght  in  Dublin ;  TaimhUaeht  [Tavlaght],  a  plague 
monument.  According  to  the  bardic  legend,  9OO0 
of  Parthalon's  people  died  of  the  plague,  and  were 
buried  in  this  place,  which  was  therefore  called 
the  Taimhleacht  or  plague  grave  of  Parthalon's 
people. 

Tamlaght,  Tamlat;  a  plague  grave ;  same  as  Tallaght. 

Tamnagh,  Tamny;  Tamhnach,  a  green  field. 

Tanderagee  ;  a  corruption  of  Tdin-re-gaeith  [Tonregee], 
backside  to  the  wind.     See  Tonlegee. 

Tara;  Teamhair  [Tawer],  F.  M.,  a  residence  on  an 
elevated  spot,  commanding  an  extensive  view.  There 
are  many  places  of  this  name  in  Ireland,  besides  the 
celebrated  Tara  in  Meath. 

Tarmon ;  the  same  as  Termon. 

Tat,  Tate,  Tath;  a  measure  of  land. 

Tattygare;  short  iate  or  land  measure. 

Taughboyne  in  Donegal;  Tech-Baeithin  [Taghbwee- 
been],  O'C.  CaL,  the  house  of  St.  JSaeithtn ;  he  was 
a  companion  of  St.  Columkille,  and  governed  the 
monastery  oflona  after  that  saint's  death.  Died  in 
A.  D.  600. 

Tavanagh,  Tavnagh  ;  Tamhnach,  a  green  field. 

Tawlaght ;  a  plague  monument.     See  Tallaght. 

Tawnagh,  Tawny ;  Tamhnach,  a  green  field. 

Tawnaghmore ;  great  field. 

Tecolm  in  Queen's  County;  Tigh-Choluim  [Teecolum]. 
St.  Columkille's  house. 

Teebane ;  Tigh-hdn  [Teebaun],  white  house. 

Teemore;  great  house  {Ugh). 

Teev,  Teeve;  Taehh,  the  side,  a  hill  side. 

Teltown  on  the  Blackwater  in  Meath.  Lewy  of  the 
long  hand,  one  of  the  Tuatha  De  Danann  kings, 
established  a  fair  or  gathering  of  the  people,  to  be 
held  here  yearly  on  the  first  of  August,  in  which 
games,  pastimes,  and  marriages  were  celebrated ;  and 
in  honour  of  his  foster  mother  TaiUte  [Telta],  he 


86  Irish  Local  Names  explained. 

called  the  place  TailUenn  [Teltenn],  now  modernized 
to  Teltown. 

Temple ;  Teampull,  a  church. 

Templeachally  in  Tipperary ;  the  church  of  the  cala  or 
marshy  meadow. 

Templebredon  in  Tipperary ;  O'Bredon's  church. 

Templebreedy ;  St.  Brigid's  church. 

Templecarn  in  Donegal  ;  the  church  of  the  cam  or 
monument. 

Tcraple-etney  in  Tipperary ;  St.  Eithne's  church. 

Templemichael ;  the  church  of  the  Archangel  Michael. 

Templemolaga  in  Cork;  the  church  of  St.  Mblaga,  a 
native  of  Fermoy,  who  died  on  the  20th  of  January, 
some  short  time  before  the  year  664. 

Templemore ;  great  church ;  a  cathedral. 

Templemoyle ;  bald  or  dilapidated  church  {mael). 

Templenacarriga ;  the  church  of  the  rock. 

Templenoe,  Templenew ;  TeampuU-nua,  new  church. 

Templepatrick  ;  St.  Patrick's  church. 

Templeport;  the  church  of  the  port  or  bank. 

Templeshanbo  in  "Wexford.  Ancient  pagan  name  Sean- 
hoth-Sine  [Shanboh-Sheena],  Sin's  or  Sheen's  old 
tent  or  hut;  and  in  Christian  times,  after  a  church  had 
been  erected  there,  the  present  name  was  formed 
by  the  addition  of  the  word  Temple  to  Seanhoth: 
Templeshanbo,  the  church  of  Seanhoth. 

Templetogher  in  Galway ;  the  church  of  the  causeway 
{tdchar),  from  a  celebrated  old  togher  across  a  bog. 

Templetuohy  in  Tipperary;  the  church  of  the  tuath  or 
territory,  because  it  was  the  principal  church  of  the 
district. 

Tempo  in  Fermanagh;  shortened  from  the  full  Irish 
name  an  t-Iompodh-deisiol  [an  Tirapo  deshill],  the 
turning  from  left  to  right.  lompodh  [impo]  means 
turning ;  deisiol,  right  handed ;  and  the  article  an 
prefixed  takes  a  t  in  this  case,  which  became  incor- 
porated with  the  word.  The  place  received  its  name, 
no  doubt,  from  the  ancient  custom  of  turning  sun- 
ways  in  worship. 
Terenure ;  Tir-an-iulhair,  the  land  of  the  yew. 
Termon ;  Tearmann,  church  land. 


Irish  Local  Names  ejcplained,  87 

Terraonfeckin ;  St.  Fechin's  church  land. 

Terryglass  in  Tipperary ;  called  in  Irish  authorities  Tir- 
da-ghlas  [Tir-a-glas],  which  Adamnan  in  his  Life  of 
St.  Columba  translates  Ager-duorum-rivorum,  the  land 
of  the  two  streams. 

Thurles  in  Tipperary ;  Durlios  [Durlas],  strong  lis  or 
fort.  In  the  annals  it  is  commonly  called  Durlas- 
O'Fogarty,  from  the  O'Fogartys,  the  ancient  proprie- 
tors of  the  surrounding  district.     See  Eliogarty. 

Tiaquin,  barony  of,  in  Galway;  shortened  from  I^gh- 
Dachonna  [Tee-aconna],  F.  M.,  St.  Dachonna's  house. 

Tibberaghny  in  Kilkenny :  Tiohrad-Fachtna  [Tibbrad- 
aghna],  F.  M.,  St.  Faghna's  well. 

Tibohine  in  Roscommon;  Tech-Baeithin  (O'Cal.  Cal.), 
St.  Baeitkin's  house.  The  name  is  the  same  as  Taugh- 
boyne,  but  this  is  a  diflferent  Baeithin ;  he  was  of  the 
race  of  Enda,  son  of  Niall  of  the  Nine  Hostages,  and 
was  one  of  the  ecclesiastics  to  whom  the  apostolic 
letter  was  written  in  the  year  640,  on  the  subject  of 
the  time  for  celebrating  Easter. 

Tieve ;  Taehh  [teeve],  a  side,  a  hill-side. 

Tievebrack ;  speckled  hiU-side. 

Tiglin  in  Wicklow ;  the  house  of  the  glen. 

Tiknock,  Ticknock,  Ticknick;  Tigh-cnuic  [Ticknick], 
the  house  of  the  hill. 

Timahoe  in  Queen's  County;  Tech-Mochua  [Tee-Mohua], 
O'C.  Cal.,  the  house  of  St.  Mochua,  the  original  foun- 
der and  patron,  who  flourished  in  the  sixth  century. 

Timogue  in  Queen's  County ;  St.  Mogue's  house. 

Timoleague  in  Cork;  Teach-Molaga,  F.  M.,  Molaga'i 
house,  from  St.  Molaga  of  Templemolaga. 

Timolin  in  Kildare  ;  Tigh-Moling  [Tee-Moling],  St.  Mo- 
ling's  house,  from  a  church  erected  there  by  St. 
Moling  of  St.  Muliins. 

Tinamuck ;  Tigh-na-muc,  the  house  of  the  pigs. 

Tincurragh,  Tincurry;  Tigh-an-chirraigh  [Tincurry], 
the  house  of  the  currach  or  marsh. 

Tinnahinch,  Tinnebinch ;  Tigh-na-hinnse  [Tee-na-hin- 
sha],  the  house  of  the  island  or  river  meadow. 

Tinnakill,  Tinnakilly ;  the  house  of  the  church  or  wood. 


88  Irish  Local  Names  ea^plained. 

Tinnascart,  Tinnascarty;  the  house  of  the  cluster  or 
thicket  {scairt). 

Tinnick,  Tinnock,  Tinock ;  same  as  Tiknock. 

Tipper;  a  form  of  Tohar,  a  well. 

Tipperary ;  Tiohraid-Arann  [Tibrad-Auran],  F.  M.,  the 
well  of  Ara,  the  ancient  territory  in  which  it  was 
situated.  The  well  tliat  gave  this  name  to  the  town 
and  thence  to  the  county,  was  situated  in  the  Main- 
street,  but  it  is  now  closed  up. 

Tipperkevin  in  Kildare ;  St.  Kevin's  well. 

Tipperstown  in  Dublin  and  Kildare ;  a  half  translation 
from  Baile-an-tolair  [Ballintubber],  the  town  of  the 
well. 

Tiranascragh  in  Galway ;  Tir-an-eascrach,  the  land  of 
the  esher  or  sand  hill. 

Tirawly,  barony  of,  in  Mayo ;  Tir-Amha  jaidh  [Awly], 
the  land  or  district  oi  Amhalgaidh,  kir,^  of  Connaught, 
brother  of  the  monarch  Dathi,  and  sjn  of  Ohy  Moy- 
vane,  king  of  Ireland  from  A.  D.  358  to  365. 

Tirconnell,  the  ancient  name  of  Donegal;  Tir-Conaill, 
the  land  or  district  of  Conall  Gulban,  son  of  Niall  of 
the  Nine  Hostages. 

Tireragh,  barony  of,  in  Sligo ;  Tir-Fhiachrach  [Tir- 
ceragh],  P.  M.,  the  district  of  Fiachra,  son  of  Dathi, 
and  grandson  of  Ohy  Moyvane.     See  Tirawly. 

Tirerrill,  barony  of,  in  Sligo  ;  Tir-OiUolla  [ollila],  Hy 
F.,  the  district  of  Olioll,  son  of  Ohy  Moyvane  (see 
Tirawly).    Z  changed  to  r :  see  p.  3. 

Tirkeeran,  barony  of,  in  Derry ;  Tir-  Chaerthainn  [Tir- 
keerhin],  the  district  of  Kieran,  the  great  grandson  of 
Colla  Hat's,  brother  of  Colla  Meann.     See  Cremorne 

Tisaran  in  King's  County;  from  an  old  church  which  is 
called  in  the  Calendars  Teach-Saram  [Tasaran],  the 
liouse  of  St.  Saran,  the  founder,  who  was  of  the  race 
of  the  Dealbhna.    See  Delvin. 

Tisaxon ;  the  house  of  the  Saxons  or  Englishmen. 

Tiscoffin  in  Kilkenny;  see  page  4. 

Tober ;  Tohar,  a  well. 

Toberaheena;  the  well  of  Friday  (aeine,  pron.  eena);  from 
the  custom  of  visiting  the  well  and  performing  devo- 
tions on  Fridav. 


Irish  Local  Names  explained.  89 

Toberbilly ;  the  well  of  the  ancient  tree  {hiU). 
Tobercurry  jn  Sligo ;  written  by  Mac  Firbis,  Toler-an- 

choire,  the  well  of  the  caldron  or  pit. 
Tobermore ;  great  well. 
Toberreendoney  in   various   counties;    Tolarrigh-an- 

domhnaigh  [Toberreendowny],  the  well  of  the  king  of 

Sunday  (i.  e.  of  God) ;  these  wells  were  so  called  be- 
cause they  were  visited  on  Sunday, 
Togher  ;  Tdchar,  a  causeway. 
Toradeely  in  Limerick ;    the  tumulus  {tuaim)  of  the 

river  Deel. 
Tomfinlough  in  Clare ;  Tuaim- Fionnlocha,  F.  M.,  the 

tumulus  of  the  bright  lake  {fionn,  bright,  clear) ; 

from  an  old  church  by  a  lake  near  SixmUe-bridge. 
Tomgraney  in  Clare;  Tuaim-greine  [Toomgraney],  F.  AT., 

the  tumulus  of  the  lady  Grian,  about  whom  there  are 

many  traditions. 
Tomies  mountain   over  the  lower  lake  of  Killamey; 

Tumaidhe  [Toomy],  tumuli  or  monumental  mounds; 

from  two  sepulchral  heaps  on  the  top  of  the  moun- 
tain. 
Tomregan  in  Cavan ;   Tuaim-Drecon  [Toom-reckon :  D 

aspirated — see  p.  2],  F.  M.,  Brecon's  burial  mound. 
Tonagh ;  Tamh^ach  [Townagh],  a  field. 
Tonbane,  Tonbaun  ;  white  t6in  or  backside. 
Tonduff;  black  backside  (tSin). 
Tonlegee ;  T6in-le-gaeith,  backside  to  the  wind. 
Tonnagh;  a  mound  or  rampart. 
Tonregee  ;  same  as  Tanderagee  and  Tonlegee. 
Tonroe  ;  red  backside. 
Tooman ;  Tuaman,  a  small  tumulus. 
Toome,  Toom ;    Tuaim  [Toom],  a  tumulus  or  burial 

mound. 
Toomore,  Toomour;  Tuaimdha-bhodhar\Toom.-'^-^ouT'\j 

F.  M.,  the  tumulus  of  the  two  deaf  persons. 
Toomy  vara  in  Tipperary,   exactly  represents  the  sound 

of  the  Irish   Tuaimui-Mheadhra,   the   tumulus    or 

tomb  of  O'Mara. 
Toor,  Tuar,  a  bleach  green  or  drying  place. 
Toorard;  high  bleach  green. 
Tooreen ;  little  bleach  green. 


90  Irish  Local  Names  explained. 

Toormore ;  great  bleach  green. 

Toortane,  Toortann ;  Tortan,  a  small  hillock. 

Tor ;  a  tower,  a  tall  tower-like  rock. 

Tore  mountain  at  Killarney ;  the  mountain  of  the  tores 
or  boars. 

Tormore;  great  tower  or  tower- like  rock. 

Tory  island  off  the  coast  of  Donegal ;  Torach  ("Wars  of 
GG.),  towery,  i.  e.  abounding  in  tors  or  tower-like 
rocks. 

Touaghty  in  Mayo  ;  Tuath-AitheacJda  [Thoo-ahaghta], 
Hy.  F.,  the  tuath  or  district  of  the  attacotti  or  ple- 
beians, i.  e.  the  races  vanquished  and  enslaved  by  the 
Milesians. 

Tourin ;  little  bleach  green ;  same  as  Tooreen. 

Tralee;  Traigh-Li  [Tralee],  F.M.,  the  strand  of  the 
Lee,  a  little  river  which  runs  into  the  sea  at  the  town, 
but  which  is  now  covered  over. 

Tramore ;  Traigh-mor,  great  strand. 

Trean,  Trien ;  Trian^  a  third  part. 

Treanbaun;  white  third. 

Treanboy ;  yellow  third. 

Treanlaur ;  middle  third  {Idr,  middle). 

Treanmanagh  ;  middle  third  (meadhonach), 

Trevet  in  Mealh;  Trefoit  [Trefote],  F.  M.,  three  fods 
or  sods ;  so  named,  according  to  the  Leahhar-na- 
huidhre,  because  when  Art,  the  son  of  Conn  of  the 
Hundred  Battles  was  buried  there,  three  sods  were 
dug  over  his  grave  in  honour  of  the  Trinity. 

Trillick  ;  Tri-liag  three  Hags  or  pillar  stones. 

Trim  in  Meath;  :ull  name  Ath-truim  [Ah-trim],  the 
ford  of  the  elder  bushes. 

Tromaun  ;  a  place  producing  elder  bushes  (from). 

Trough,  barony  of,  in  Monaghan ;  Triucha  [Truha],  a 
cantred  or  district. 

Trumman,  Trummery ;  same  as  Tromaun. 

TuaminGalway;  Tuaim-da-ghualann  [Tuam-a-woolan], 
the  tumulus  of  the  two  shoulders,  from  the  shape  of 
the  old  sepulchral  mound  that  gave  name  to  the 
place. 

Tubbrid ;  same  as  Tober ;  a  well. 

TuUa,  Tullach ;  Tulach,  a  little  hill. 


Irish  Local  Names  explained.  91 

TuUaghan ;  a  little  tulach  or  hill. 

Tullaghmelan  in  Tipperary  ;  Moylan's  hill. 

Tullahogue  in  Tyrone ;  fulach-og,  F.  M.,  the  hill  of  the 
youths. 

Tullahaught  in  Kilkenny;  Tulach-ocht,  the  hill  of  the 
eight  (persons). 

Tullaraore  ;  great  hill ;  same  as  Tullymore. 

Tullig  ;  another  form  of  Tulach,  a  hill. 

Tullow  ;  Tulach,  a  little  hill. 

Tullowphelim,  a  parish  containing  the  town  of  Tullow 
in  Carlow;  contracted  from  Tullow-offelimy,  the 
tulach  or  hill  of  the  territory  of  the  Hy  Felimy,  a 
tribe  descended  and  named  from  Felimy,  son  of 
Enna  Kinsella,  king  of  Leinster  in  the  fourth  century. 

Tully ;  a  little  hill ;  same  as  Tulla. 

Tullyallen  ;  Tulaigh-dluinn  [TuUyaulin],  beautiful  hill. 

Tullyard ;  high  hill. 

Tullybane,  Tullybaun  ;  TuU'gh-ldn,  white  hill. 

Tullybeg ;  little  tulach  or  hill. 

Tullycorbet ;  the  hill  of  the  chariot  {carlaS). 

Tullyglass ;  green  hill. 

Tullyhaw,  barony  of,  in  Cavan  ;  so  called  from  the 
Magaurans,  its  ancient  proprietors,  whose  tribe  name 
was  Tealach-Echach  [Tulla-eha :  O'Dugan],  the 
family  of  Eochy  or  Ohy. 

Tullylease  in  Cork ;  Ttilach-lias  [TuUaleese],  the  hill  of 
the  huts. 

Tullymongan  at  Cavan ;  Tulach-Mongain,  F.  M.,  Mon- 
gan's  hill. 

Tullymore ;  great  hill ;  same  as  Tullamore. 

Tulljmacross ;  the  hill  of  the  cross. 

Tullynagardy  near  Newtownards ;  Tulaigh-na-gceard- 
cha,  the  hill  of  the  forges. 

Tullynaskeagh  ;  the  hill  of  the  white  thorns. 

Tullynure  ;  Tulach-an-iuhhair,  the  hill  of  the  yew. 

Tullyroe ;  red  hill. 

TuUyrusk  in  Antrim :  the  hill  on  which  the  old  church 
stands,  was  surrounded  by  marshy  ground;  henca 
the  name,  which  Colgan  writes  Tulach-ruise,  the  hUl 
of  the  morass.     See  Eusk. 

Tully trasna;  cross  or  transverse  hill. 


92  Irish  Local  Names  explained^ 

Turana  in  Roscommon;  Tuaim-mna,  F.  M.,  the  tomb  of 
the  woman  (lean,  gen.  mna). 

Tuosist  in  Kerry;  Tuath-O' Siosta  [O'Sheesta],  O'Sios- 
ta's  territory. 

Ture;  the  yew.  The  word  iuhhar  [yure]  has  incorpo- 
rated the  t  of  the  article,  like  Tempo. 

Turlough ;  a  lake  that  dries  up  in  summer. 

Twelve  Pins,  a  remarkable  group  of  mountains  in  Con- 
nemara;  should  have  been  called  the  Twelve  Bens, 
i.e.  peaks.  Sometimes  called  " The  Twelve  Pins  of 
Bunnabola,"  in  which  the  word  leann  occurs  twice; 
for  Bunnabola  is  Beanna-Beola  [Banna-Bola],  the 
peaks  of  Beola,  an  old  Firbolg  chief,  who  is  still  re- 
membered in  tradition.     See  Mourne. 

Tyfarnham  in  "Westmeath;  Farannan's  house  (iigh).: 
the  same  person  that  gave  name  to  Multyfarnham. ' 

Tyone  in  Tipperary;  Tigh-Eoin,  John's  house. 

Tyrella  in  Down;  Tech-Riaghla  [Tee-Reela],  O'C.  Cal. 
the  house  of  St.  Riaghal  [Recai]  or  Begulus. 

Tyrone.  The  descendants  oi  Eoghan  [Owen],  son  of 
Niall  of  the  Nine  Hostages,  possessed  the  territory 
extending  over  the  counties  of  Tyrone  and  Derry  and 
the  two  baronies  of  Raphoe  and  Inishowen  in  Done- 
gal; all  this  district  Avas  anciently  called  Tir-Eoghain 
^Tir-Owen:  "Wars  of  GG.],  Owen's  territory,  which 
18  now  written  Tyrone,  and  restricted  to  one  county. 
See  Inishowen. 

Ulster;  ancient  Irish  form  Uladh  [ulla],  which  with 
ster  added  (see  Leinster),  was  pronounced  Ulla-ster, 
and  contracted  to  Ulster. 

Ummera,  Ummery,  Umry;  lomaire  [Ummera],  a  ridge. 

Ummeracam,  Umrycam ;  lomaire-cam,  crooked  ridge. 

Ummerafree;  the  ridge  of  the  heath  {fraech). 

Unshinagh,  Inshinagh;  Uinseannach,  a  place  producing 
ash  trees  {uinnse  and  fuinnse). 

Uragh ;  lubhrach  [yuragh],  yew  land. 

Urbal;  a  tail;  from  shape  or  position. 

Urbalreagh  in  Antrim,  Donegal,  and  Tyrone;  grey 
tail. 

Urbalshinny  in  Donegal  ;  the  fox's  tail  (sionnach), 
from  some  peculiarity  of  shape,  or  perhaps  from  hav- 
ine  been  a  resort  of  foxes. 


Irish  Local  Names  explained.  93 

TJrcher;   Urchur,  a  cast  or  throw.     See  Ardn archer. 
Uiegare  in  Limerick;  /wWar-y^^arr  [yure-yar],  short 

yew  tree. 
Uiuey,  Urny;   Vrnatdhe  [Urny],  an  oratory.    SieXur- 

ney. 
[Jrlar,  tJiiaur ;   a  floor,  a  level  place. 
Valentia  Island  in  Kerry ;  so  called  by  the  Spaniards. 

Ancient  and  present  Irish  name,  Dairhhre  [Dan-eryJ, 

a  place  producing  oaks.     See  Kildorrery. 
Vaitry  river  in  Wicklow;  a  corruption  of  the  old  tribe 

name  Fir -tire  [Firteera],  the  men  of  the  territory 

Ventry  in  Kerry;  got  its  name  from  a  beautiful  white 
strand,  called  in  Irish  Fionn-traigh  [Fintra],  white 
strand. 

"Wateresk ;  upper  channel  (ewe).     See  Kilwatermoy. 

"Waterford ;  a  Danish  name ;  old  form  Vadrefiord,  the 
latter  part  of  which  is  the  northern  word  fiord,  a  sea 
inlet  Old  Irish  name  Port-Lairge  or  Portlargy 
See' Strangford  and  Carlingford. 

"Watergrasshill  in  Cork ;  a  translation  of  the  Irish  name, 
Cnocdn-na-biolraighe  [Knockaun-na-billery],  the  little 
hiU  of  the  water- cresses. 

Wexford  ;  a  Danish  name ;  old  form  "Weisford,  which 
is  said  to  mean  west  fiard  or  bay ;  old  Irish  name, 
Carman, 

Wicklow;  a  Danish  name;  old  forms  of  the  name, 
Wkyynglo,  Wygyngelo,  Wykinlo.  Old  Irish  name 
Kilmantan,  the  church  of  St.  Mantan,  one  of  St. 
Patrick's  disciples.  This  saint,  according  to  the  An- 
nals of  Clonmacnoise  and  other  authorities,  had  his 
front  teeth  knocked  out  by  a  blow  of  a  stone,  from 
one  of  the  barbarians  who  opposed  St  Patrick's  land- 
ing in  Wicklow;  hence  he  was  called  Mantan,  or  the 
toothless. 

Windgap,  Windygap  ;  a  translation  of  Bearna-na- 
gaeithe  [Barnanageehy],  the  gap  of  the  wind. 

Witter  in  Down ;  Uachdar,  upper.  See  Wateresk  and 
Eighter. 

Wood  of  0  near  Tullamore  in  King's  County;  the  Irish 
name  is  Fochaill,  yew- wood,  the  same  as  Youghal; 


94  Irish  Local  Names  explained 

modern  name  an  attempted  translation  : — Wood  of  0, 
i.  e.  the  wood  of  the  e6  or  yew. 

Yellow  Batter,  and  Green  Batter,  near  Drogheda ;  bat- 
ter here  means  a  road.  See  Booterstown  and  Batters- 
town. 

Yewer  near  Killashandra  in  Cavan ;  an  anglicised  form 
of  lubhar  [yure],  the  yew  tree.     See  Newry. 

Yougbal  in  Cork.  A  yew  wood  grew  anciently  on  the 
hill  slope  now  occupied  by  the  town,  and  even  yet 
some  of  the  old  yews  remain ;  hence  it  was  called 
Eochaill  [Oghill],  F.  M.j  i.  e.  yew  wood.  See  Oghill 
and  AughalL 


VOCABULARY  OF  IRISH  ROOT  WORDS. 

(The  principal  modern  foima  are  gircn  in  luUcs.) 


Abh  [aw  or  owl,  a  river ;  aw,  wo. 

Abhainn  [owenj,  a  river ;     owen,  avon,  and  in  the  end 

of  words,  with  the  h  of  the  article,  hotcn,  hone^  howna, 

hivnia. 
Abhall  [owl,  ool,  or  avel],  an  apple,  an  apple  tree ;  in 

some  parts  of  the  north  it  is  used  in  the  sense  of 

*'  orchard."     Modern  forms  otcl^  ool,  owle,  aval,  &c. 
Achadh  [aha],  a  field ;  it  is  generally  represented  in 

modern  names  by  agha,  agh,  or  augh,  but  these  also 

often  stand  for  aih,  a  ford. 
Aenach  [enagh],  anciently  signified  any  assembly  of  the 

people,  but  it  is  now  cdways  applied  to  a  cattle  fair ; 

enagh,  eeny,  eena,  eani'g. 
Aiieach  [ellagh],  a  circular  stone  fort ;  ellagh,  eUy. 
Aill  [oUj,  a  clitf ;  ayle,  aille,  &c.     See  Faill. 
Aireagal  [arrigal],   a  habitation,  an  oratory,  a  smaU 

church ;  arrigle  and  errigal. 
Aime  [amey],  a  sloe ;  amey. 

Ait  [aut],   a  place,  a  site;   commonly  made  at:  fre- 
quently combines  with  teach,  a  house,  to  form  the 

compound  ait-tighe  [aut-teej,  in  modem  forms  atty 

or  atti,  a  house  site. 
Aiteann  [at tan],  furze;  forms  the  terminations -a^i», 

-attina. 
Aith  [ah],  a  kiln  of  any  kind ;  made  -haia,  -hagh,  -haha, 

-hay,  -hey,  and  -hoy,  in  the  end  of  names. 
Alt,  a  height,  a  cliff,  a  glen  side. 
An,  the  Irish  definite  aiticle. 
Ar  [awr],  slaughter ;  are,  aur,  and  air. 
Ard,  high,  a  height. 


96  Vocahulanj  of  Irish  Root  Words, 

Ath  [ah],  a  ford  ;  ath,  ah,  augh^  agh,  a,  aha,  aio,  &c. 
Bad  [baud],  a  boat. 

Badhun  [bawn],  a  cow  fortress,  the  haivn  of  a  castle. 
Baile  [bally],  a  town,  a  townlaiid;  baUg,^  halli,    vallg 

and  in  the  eastern  counties  hal. 
Ban  [bawn],  white  or  fair  coloured;  'lane,  haun,  bawn, 

vane,  vaun. 
Barr  [baur],  the  top,  the  highest  point;  bar,  baur.  The 

Bar  of  a  townland  (used  in  the  north)  is  the  high  or 

hilly  part. 
Beag  [beg],  little. 

Bealach  [ballagh],  a  road  or  pass  ;  ballagh,  vallg. 
Bealltaine  [beltany],  the  first  day  of  May;  celebrated 

as  a  festival  by  the  pagan  Irish. 
Beann  [ban,  ben],  a  horn,  a  gable,  a  peak,  or  pointed 

hill. 
Beannchar  [banaher],  horns,  gables,  peaks ;  banagher, 

hangor. 
Beam,  beai-na,  bearnas  [barn,  barna,  barnas],  a  gap,  a 

gap  in  a  mountain ;  barna,  barny,  varna,  varny,  barnis^ 

varnis,  and  often  in  the  north  barnet. 
Bearnach  [barnagh],  gapped. 
Beith  [beh],  the  birch  tree ;  beitheach  [behagh]  a  birchy 

place;  behy,  beha,  beagh,  behagh,  veha,  vehy,  &c. 
Bel,  beul  [bale],  the  mouth,  an  entrance,  a  ford ;  often 

joined   to  ath  in  the   compound   bel-atha   [bellaha, 

bella],  a  ford-mouth  or  ford  entrance. 
Bile  [billa],  a  large  ancient  tree  ;  a  tree  held  in  venera- 
tion for  any  reason ;  billa,  billy,  villa,  ville,  villy,  bella, 

vella. 
Biorar  [birrer],  watercress;  usually  corrupted  to  biolar 

[biller]  ;  viller,  vilra,  &c. 
Bo,  a  cow;   bo,  hoe,  and  by  eclipse,  moe  (mbo);    see 

page  2. 
Boireann  [burrenj,  a  large  rock,  a  rocky  district 
Both  [boh],  a  tent  or  hut ;  bo,  boh,  boha,  bohy,  voe. 
Bothar  [boher],  a  road ;  boher  and  voher.     In  some  of 

the  eastern  counties  it  is  corrupted  to  batter.      Bo- 

hcreen,  a  little  road. 
Braghad  [brand],   the  Uwvit;  a  gorge;  braid,  broad, 

brand. 


Focahulanj  of  Irish  Root  Words.  97 

Bran,  a  raven. 

Breach   [breagh],    a  wolf;    occurs   in  the   compound 

breachmhagh  [breaghvah],  wolf-field. 
Bri  [hree],  a  hiU;  hree,  bray. 
Broc  [hrucJc],  a  badger;  brocTc,   briclc,  and,  by  eclipse, 

mrock;  see  p.  2. 
Brocach  [bruckagh],  a  badger  warren ;  hroclcagh,  hrocky. 
Brugh  [bru],  a  palace,  a  distinguished  residence  ;  bru, 

hruff.    Bruighean  [breean]  has  the  same  meaning ; 

but  in  modem   times  it  is  used  to  denote  a  faiiy 

palace  ;  breen,  bryan,  breena,  vreena. 
Buaile  [boolia],  a  booley,  a  feeding  or  milking  plac*i  for 

cows ;  booley^oley,  boola,  voola,  voula,  vooly. 
Buidhe  [bwee  or  boy],  yellow ;  boy,  wee,  &c. 
Buirghes  [burris],  a  burgage  or  borough ;  borris  and 

^urris. 
Bui.,  the  end  or  bottom  of  anything ;  the  mouth  of  a  river. 
Gabhan  [cavan],  a  hollow ;  in  some  parts  of  IJlster  it 

signifies  a  round  hiU;  cavan. 
Caech  [kay],  blind,  purblind,  one-eyed;  ieagh,  iee. 
Caenach  [keenagh],  moss;  keenagh. 
Caera  [kaira'],  a  sheep;  keeragh,  and,  eclipsed  with  the 

article,  nageeragh. 
Caerthainn  [kairhan],  the  quicken  tree ;  keeran,  caran, 

kerane,  keraun. 
Cairthe  [carha],  a  pillar  stone ;  carra,  carha,  and  car. 
Caiseal  [cashel],  a  circular  stone  fort ;  cashel,  castle. 
Caislean  [cushlaun],  a  castle;  cashlaun,  cashlane. 
Gala,  a  marshy  meadow  along  a  river  or  lake;  a  landing 

place  for  boats ;  callow  and  cala. 
Capall,  a  horse ;  capple,  cappul,  and  eclipsed  with  the 

article  (see  p.  2),  nagappul  and  nagapple. 
Carn,  a  monumental  heap  of  stones ;  cam,  carna. 
Carr,  a  rock,  rocky  land. 

Carraig  [corrig],  a  rock;  carrig,  carrick,  earriga. 
Cartron,  a  quailer  of  land  (Anglo-2foi-man). 
Casan  [cassaun],  a  path. 
Cath  [cah],  a  battle. 
Cathair  [caher],  a  circular  stone    fort,  a  city;  caher, 

cahir. 
CeaUurach  [calluragh],  an  old  burial  ground ;  callooragh. 

H 


98  Vocabulary  of  Iriali  Root  Woras. 

Cealtrach  [caltragh],  an  old  burial  ground;  caUrag}\ 
caldragh. 

Ceann  [can],  the  head,  front,  or  highest  part  of  any- 
thing; kan,  can,  hin,  hen. 

Ceapach  [cappa],  a  plot  of  ground  laid  down  in  tillage ; 
cappagh,  cappa,  cap,  cappy. 

Ccard   [card],  an  artificer;   nagard,  na garde,   "of  the 
artificers." 

Ceardcha  [cardha],  a  forge ;  carte,  cart,  cartan,  carton. 

Ceathramhadh  [carhoo],  a  quarter,  a  quarter  of  land , 
carroio,  carhoo,  carrive. 

Ceide  [keady],  a  hillock,  a  hill  level  and  smooth  at 
top  ;  heady,  headeiv,  headagh,  cady,  caddagJi. 

Ceis  [kesh],  a  wicker  basket,  a  wickerwork  causewaj'; 
kif-h,  kesh. 

Cill  [kill],  a  church ;  hill,  Ml,  hyle,  heel,  cal,  h'lle,  hilla. 

Cinel  [kinel],  kindred,  race,  descendants ;  hinel,  hinal. 

Cladh  [cly  or  claw],  a  ditch ;  cly,  claw,  da. 

Clann,  children,  a  tribe ;  clan,  clann. 

Clar,  a  board,  a  plain ;  clar,  dare. 

Clais  [clash],  a  trench ;  dash. 

Cliath  [clee],  a  hurdle. 

Cloch,  a  stone,  a  stone  castle ;  clogh,  dough,  do,  dohy, 
cloy,  naglogh. 

Clochan,  a  row  of  stepping  stones  across  a  river,  some- 
times a  stone  castle  ;  doghan,  doghane,  cloghaim. 

Cluain  [cloon],  a  meadow,  a  fertile  piece  of  land  among 
bogs,  marshes,  or  woods ;  cloon,  clon,  dm,  cloony. 

Cnap  [knap],  a  knob,  a  round  little  hill;    hnap,  nap, 
crap,  crup, 

Cnoc  [knock],  a  hill;  hnoch,  hnich,  nich,  crock,  cruck. 

Cobhlach  [cowlagh],  a  fleet ;  coicly,  hoicly,  coltig,  holt. 

Coigeadh  [coga],  a  fifth  part,  a  province;  cooga,  coogue. 

Coin,  a  wood ;  hil,  hyle,  cuill,  cullia. 

Coinicer  [kniekere],  a  rabbit  warren  ;  coneyheare,  corn- 
car,  conigar,  conigare,  hinnegar,  nicher,  ^'c. 

Coini'n  [cunneen],  a  rabbit ;  coneen,  nagoneen,  nagoneeny. 

Coll,  the  hazel :  coll,  col,  cole,  cull,  cul,  coyle,  hyle,  quill. 

Congbhail    [congwal],   a  habitation,  a  church;  comi-al 
connell,  cunnagavalc. 

Cor,  a  round  hill,  &c 


Vocabulary  of  h'lHh  Root  Words.  99 

Cora,  a  weir;  cor,  corra,  curra,  cur. 

Core,  corca,  race,  progeny ;  corka. 

Corcach,  a  marsh  ;  corcagh,  corkey,  cork. 

Corr,  a  crane  or  heron ;  cor,  gor,  gore,  nagor. 

Cos,  a  foot ;  cuss,  cush,  cosh. 

Cot,  a  small  boat;  catty. 

Craebh  [crave],  a  branch,  a  large  branchy  tree ;  creere. 

crew,  creeiy,  nagreeve. 
Craig  [crag],  a  rock. 
Crann,  a  tree;  crann,  cran,  crin,  nagran. 
Crannog,  an  artificial  island  or  lake  dwelling;  crannoge. 

cronoge. 
Creabhar  [crour],  a  wood-cock;  crour,  nogrour. 
Creamh  [crav],  wild  garlic. 

Croch,  a  cross,  a  gallows,  crogh,  crohy,  crehy,  creha. 
Crochaire    [crohcra],  a  hangman;    ctoghera,    croghery, 

nagroghery. 
Cros,  a  cross;  cross,  crush,  cnisha. 
Cniach,  cruachan  [cruagh,  cruhaun],  a  rick,   a  round 

stacked    up   hill  ;    crogh,    cruagh,    croagh,    croghan, 

croaghan. 
Cruit  [crit],  a  hump,  a  round  little  hill ;  emit,  crotta^ 

crutta,  crit. 
Cu,  a  fiei'ce  dog,  a  hound — genitive  con  ;  con,  nagon, 

nagun. 
Cuas  [coose],  a  cave,  a  cove;  coos,  eoose,   cose,  cause, 

goose,  gose,  nagoose. 
Cuil  [cooil],  a  corner,  an  angle;  cool,  cole. 
Cuillionn  [eullion],  holly ;  cullion,  eullen. 
Cum  [coom],  a  hollow,  a  dell  or  valley  enclosed,  except 

on  one  side,  by  mountains;  coom,  coiim,  coomhe. 
Currach,  a  marsh;  curragh,  curry,  curra. 
Da  [daw],  two ;  da,  daw,  a. 

Daingean  [dangan],  a  fortress:  dangan,  dingin,  dingle. 
Dair  [dar],  an  oak ;  dar,  der,  dara,  darra,  darragh. 
Dairbhre   [darrery],    an  oak  forest,  a  place  producing 

oaks;  darrery,  dorrery,  darraragh,  derravara. 
Daire  or  doire  [derry],  an  oak  grove  or  wood;  derry, 

derri,  der. 
Damh  [dauv],  an  ox;  dav,  deVy  daw,  duff,  diff,  aff\  uffy 

iff,  and  by  eclipse,  nanav. 


iOO  Vocabulary  of  Irish  Root  Words. 

Dearc,  derc  [derkj,  a  cave;  derh,  dirk,  dark. 

Dearg  [derg],  red;  derff,  derrig,  darrig. 

Dearmhagh  [darwahl,  oak-  plain  ;  durrow,  durra,  dirroio, 

Disert,  a  desert,  a  hermitage ;  disert,  desert,  dgsart,  dy- 

sert,  ister,  ester,  isert,  ishart,  trisile. 
Dorahnach  [downagh],  Sunday,  a  church ;  donagh,  donna, 

donny,  don,  dun. 
Draeighean,  [dreean],  blackthorn ;  dreen.  drain,  drin. 
Droichead  [drohedj,  a  bridge ;  droghed,  drehid,  dronght 

drait. 
Druim  [drum],  the  back,  a  ridge  or  long  hill ;  drum 

drom,  drim,  drum. 
Dumha  [dooa],  a  burial  mound  ;  dooey,  dooa,  doo,  doe. 
Dun  [doon],  a  fortified  fort,  a  kingly  residence ;  <?«», 

don,  doon,  down. 
Dur,  strong. 

Each  [agh],  a  horse ;  augh,  agh,  eigli,  &c. 
Eaglais  faglish],  a  church;  aglish,  cglish,  heagles,  eglis. 
Eanach  fannagh],  a  marsh  ;  annagh,  anna,  anny. 
Eas  [ass],  a  waterfall ;  ass,  ess,  assy,  assa. 
Eascu,  eascan  [asscu,  asscan],  an  eel ;  askin. 
Edar,  between  ;  eder,  ader,  adder. 
Eidhnean  [Tnaun],  ivy;  eidneach  [inagh],  an  ivy-bearing 

place;  inane,  inagh,  eany,  enagh. 
Eilit  [ellit],  a  doe ;  elty,  ilty,  elt,  tit. 
Eisc  [esk],  a  water  channel ;  esk. 
Eiscir  [esker],  a  ridge  of  high  land,  a  sand  hill;  esker, 

iskera,  ascragh,  eskeragh. 
En  [ain],  a  bird  ;  naneane,  "  of  the  birds." 
1*16  [o],  a  yew  tree  ;  o,  oe,  go. 

Eochaill  [oghill]  a  yew  wood  ;  oghill,  aiighal,  youghal 
Kiidan  [eden],  the  forehead,  a  hill  brow ;  eden,  edn. 
E}'  (Danish),  an  island ;  ey,  i,  ay,  eye. 
I'^ada,  long ;  fada,  fad,  ad,  ada,  adda. 
Faeilean,   faeilcog  [fweelaun,  fweeloge],  a  sea  gull 

naweelaun,  naweeloge  ("  of  the  sea  gulls"),  tvheelion, 

eelan. 
Faill  [foyle],  a  cliff  ;  foyle,  foil,  fall.     See  Aill. 
Faithche  [faha],  a  green  level  space  near  a  residence^ 

for  games,  exercises,  &c. ;  a  level  field ;  faha^  fahy. 

fa,foy,fy.fey,  feigh. 


Vocabulary  o/Irtsfi  Boot  Words.  101 

Fasach  [faussagh],  a  wilderness ;  fasagh,  fasiagh,  fassa. 
Feadan  [faddaun],  a  streamlet ;  faddan,  feddan,  fiddan, 

fiddane,  eddan. 
Fejjdog  [faddoge],  a  plover;  viddoge,  vaddoge,  faddockf 

feddock. 
Feannog  [fannoge],  a  scaldcrow ;  finnoge,  funnock,  tan- 
nage. 
Fear  [far],  a  man ;  fir,  feara,  men ;  fer,  fir,  and  by 

eclipse,  navar. 
Fearann  [farran],  land  ;  farran,  farn,  arran. 
Feam,  feamog  [farn,  famoge],  the  alder  tree;  farn, 
Jern,  farnagh,  ferney ,  famant,  famoge,  navarn,  navem, 
navarna. 
iearsad  [farsad],  a  sand  bank  formed  in  a  river  by  the 
opposing  currents  of  tide  and  stream ;  fargef,  farsid, 
farsad,  fast. 
Fert,  ferta,  a  trench,  a  grave ;  fert,  farta,  ferta,  fartha, 

aria,  navart. 
Fiach  [feeagh],  a  raven ;  ee,  eha,  eigh,  nareagh. 
Fiadh  [feea],  a  deer ;  eigh,  eag,  naveigh. 
Fidh  [fih],  a  vroodi;  fee, fi,  feigh,  feth, fith,  fid. 
Fionn,  finn  [fin],  white,  clear,  transparent;  fin,  finn, 

fune,  foun. 
Fiord  (Danish),  a  sea  inlet ;  ford. 
Foraocht,  a  bare,  naked,  or  exposed  hill;  forenaghtf 

fornaght,  farnaght. 
Fraech  [freagh],  heath;  freagJi,  frevgh,  free,  ree. 
Fuaran  [fooran],  a  cold  spring;  see  TJaran. 
Fuinnse,  fuinnseann,  fuinnseog  [funsha,  funshan.  fun- 
shoge],  the  ash  tree ;  funcheon,  funshin,  ftmshinagh, 
funchoge.      The  /is  omitted  in  the  north,  giving  rise 
to  such  forms  as  unshin,  unshinagh,  inshinagh,  unshog, 
hinchoge. 
Gabhal  [goul,  gole],  a  fork,  a  river  fork;  goal,  gole, 

gowel,  goole,  gola. 
Gabhar  [gour],  a  goat ;  gotcer,  gour,  gore. 
Gaertha  [gairha],  a  thicket  along  a  river ;  gearha,  gea- 

ragh,  geeragh,  gairha,  geary. 
Gall  [Gaul],  a  foreigner,  a  Gaid ;  a  standing  stone; 

gall,  gal,  gatd,  guile,  gill,  gullia. 
Gallan  [gallaun],  a  standing  stone  ;  gallon,  gullane, 
ii2 


102  Vocahulat-y  of  Irish  Root  Words. 

Gacth  [gwee],  wind ;  gee,  geeha,  geehj,  geeth. 

Gamhan  [gowan],  a  calf;  goican,  gown. 

Garahnach  [gowiiagh],  a  railch  cow,  a  stripper;  gownagh, 

gawnagh. 
Garbh  [gavriv],  rough,  rugged ;  garrijf,  garve,  garra. 
Garran  [garraun],  a  shiTibbery;  garran,  garrane,  gar- 

raun,  gam. 
Garrdha  [gaura],  a  garden  ;  garra,  garry. 
Gedh  [gay],  a  goose;  gay. 
Glaise,  glais,  glas  [glasha,  glash,   glas],  a  streamlet ; 

glasha,  glash,  glas,  glush. 
Glas,  green ;  glass. 
Gleann  [glan],  a  glen  or  valley ;  glen,  glln,  ghjnn,  glan, 

glanna. 
Gniorah  [gneevel,  a  measure  of  land  ;  gneeve. 
Gobha,  gen.  gobhan  [gow,  gown],  a  smith ;  goiv,  goe, 

go,  goivn,  goican,  guivna. 
Gorm,  green;  goi'm. 
Gort,  a  tilled  field ;  gort,  gurt,  gart. 
Greuch  [greagh],  a  marshy  place;  greagh,  greugli. 
Graig,  a  village;  graigue,  grag,  greg. 
Grian  [greean],  the  sun ;  green,  gren,  greany. 
Grianan  [greenan],  a  summer  house,  a  palace;  greenan, 

greenane,  greenaun,  grenan,  grennan. 
Guala  [goola],  the  shoulder,  a  hill;  goolan,  golden. 
Imleaeh  [imlagh],  a  marsh  on  the  margin  of  a  lake  or 

river;  emlagh,  emly,  imilagh. 
Inbhear  [inver],  the  mouth  of  a  river ;  inver,  enner, 

ineer. 
Inis  [inish],  an  island,  a  low  meadow  along  a  river; 

inis,  inish.,  ennis,  inch. 
lolar  [iller],  an  eagle ;  iller,  uller,  ilra,  ulra,  illard. 
lomaire  [uminera],  a  ridge  or  long  hill ;  ummera,  luw 

mery,  tcmry,  arnery. 
lubhar  [yure],  a  yew  tree  ;  tire. 
Ladhar  [lyre,  lear],  a  fork,  a  fork  formed  by  glens  or 

rivers;   li/re,  lear. 
Laegh  [lay],  a  calf;  he,  lea,  high. 
Lag,  lug ;  a  hollow,  a  hollow  in  a  mountain ;  lag,  lig, 

leg,  lug. 
Liigh  [law],  a  hill ;  law,  la. 


Vocabtilm-y  of  Irhh  Root  Words.  103 

Lann,  a  house,  a  church ;  lun,  lann,  land,  lynn,  h/n. 

Larach  [lauragh],  a  mare;  lara,  laragh. 

Lathair,  lathrach  [lauher,  lauragh],  a  site,  a  site  of  a 

huilding ;  laragh,  lauragh. 
Lax  (Danish),  a  salmon ;  lax,  leix. 
Leaba,  leabaidh  [labba,  labby],  a  bed,  a  grave ;  lalboy 

lahby. 
Leac,  lie,  liag  [lack,  lick,  leeg],  a  flagstone ;  lack,  leek, 

licky  leek,  leege. 
Leaca,  Leacan  [lacka,  lackan],  the  side  of  a  hill  j  laclcan, 

lacJcen,  lackmin,  lecTcan,  leckattn,  lacka. 
Leacbt  [laght],  a  monumental  heap  of  stones;  laght, 

lai,  let,  lett. 
Leamh,   leamhan  [lav,  lavaun],   the  elm  tree;  Icvati, 

levane,  livazm,  laune,  lamph. 
Leamhchoill  [lavwhill],  an  elm  wood ;   laughil,  laghil, 

laghile,  loghill,  loughill,  lamfield,  longfield. 
Learg,  leargaidh,  leargan  [larg,  largy^  largan],  the  side 

or  slope  of  a  hill ;  largy,  largan. 
Leath  [lab],  half;  lah,  la,  le. 
Leathard  [lahard],  half  height,  a  gentle  hill;  lahard, 

lard. 
Leim  [lame],  a  leap  ;  learn,  lem,  lim. 
Leithinnsi  [lehinshi],  half  island,  a  peninsula;  lehineh, 

lahinch,  lynch. 
Leitir  [letter],  a  wet  side  of  a  hill,  plural  leatracha  [la- 

traha];  letter,  lattera,  letter  a,  lettcragh. 
Liagan  [legaun],  a  pillar  stone;  legan,  legane,  legaun 

leegane,  leagan. 
Liath  [leea],  grey;  lea. 

Liathmhuine  [leewinny],  grey  shrubbery;  leaffony,  lea- 
fin,  liafin,  lefinn,  leighmoney. 
Lios  [lis],  a  circular  eai-then  fort;  lis,   les,  lis/t,   lass 

lassa. 
Loch,  a  lake  ;  lough,  low. 
Loisgrean  [luskraun],  com  burnt  in  the  ear;  lush-aim, 

loskeraun,  loskeran,  lustraun,  lustran,  lustrin. 
Loisgthe  [luska],  burnt,  burnt  land ;  lushj,  losky,  hisk. 
Lon,  londubh  [Ion,  londuv],  a  blackbird;  lun. 
Long,  a  ship ;  lojig. 


104  Vocabulary  of  Insh  Root  Words. 

Longphort  [longfort],  a  fortress ;  long  ford,  lonart,  lun- 

Jcard. 
Lurga,   lurgan,   the   shin,   a   long   low   hill;   lurraga, 

lurgan. 
Machaire  [mahera],  a  plain;  magheva,  niaghery. 
Mac-tire  [macteera],  a  wolf;  micteera,  victeera. 
Madadh,  madradh  [madda,   maddru],   a  dog;    maddg, 

maddoo,  maddra,  vaddy,  vaddoo,  vaddra. 
Madhm  [maum],  an  elevated   mountain  pass;  maumf 

moym. 
Mael  [mwail],  bald,  a  hornless  cow,  a  bald  or  bare  hill; 

moyle,  meet,  mweel. 
Maethail  [mwayhil],  soft  spongy  land;  mohill,  mothel, 

mothell,  mekill,  moyle,  weehill. 
Magh  [maw],  a  plain ;  moy,  ma,  may,  moig\  moig,  muff, 

mo. 
Mas  [mauce],  the  thigh,  a  long  low  hill  -,  mace,  mas^ 

maus,  mass. 
Meall  [mall],  a  lump,  a  round  little  hill;  maul. 
Miliuc  [meeluck],  low  marshy  ground,  land  near  a  lake 

or  river ;  meelick,  mellick. 
Min  [meen],  smooth,  fine,  small;  meoi. 
Moin  [mone],  a  bog;  mone,  man,  mona,  vone. 
Mor  [more],  great,  large  ;  more,  mor. 
Mota,  a  moat,  a  high  mound  ;  moat,  mota,  mote. 
Mothar  [raoher],  in  the  north,  a  cluster  of  trees;  in  the 

south,  the  ruin  of  a  fort,  or  of  any  building  ;  moher. 
Muc  [muck],  a  pig;  muck,  mucky. 
Muileau  [muUenj,  a  mill;  mullen,  mullin,  tvillin. 
Muine  [money],  a  shrubbery ;  money. 
Muiutir  [munter],  family,  people;  munter. 
Muirisc  [raurrisk],  a  sea-side  marsh;  murrisk. 
Mullach  [mullagh],  a  summit;  mullagh,   mulla,  muUy^ 

mid. 
Murbhach  [murvah],  a  salt  marsh  along  the  sea;  mur' 

vagh,  murvey,  murragh,  murreagh,  murrow. 
Nas  [nauce],  an  assembly  place;  naas,  nash. 
Nead  [nad],  a  bird's  nest;  nad,  tied,  nid,  neth. 
0»  C*^g^>  young,  little ;  oge,  og,  ock. 
Oilean  [oilaun],  an  island ;  illaHf  illane,  illaun. 
Omna,  an  oak;  omtia.  umna. 


Vocabulary  of  Irish  Root  Words.  105 

Os,  a  fawn ;  uss,  ish. 

Piast  [peeast],  a  beast,  a  worm,  a  serpent ;  j)t<w^,  peastia^ 

beast. 
Pobul  [pubble],  people ;  puhble,  pobhle,  popple,  pohul, 

phubble. 
Poll,  a  hole ;  polU  pod,  pull,  pool,  foyle,  phuill,  phuU. 
Preachan  [prehaun],  a  crow;  preaghaun. 
Puca  [pooka],  a  pooka  or  spright ;  pooka^  puck,  pooh, 

phuca. 
Rath  [raw],  a  circular  fort;  rath,  raw,  rah,  ray,  ra, 

raha. 
Reidh  [ray],  a  coarse  mountain  flat ;  rea,  re,  rey. 
Reilig  [rellig],  a  cemetery ;  relick,  relig. 
Eiabhach  [reeagh],  grey ;  reagh,  rea. 
Kiasc  [reesk],  a  marsh;  riesk,  reisk,  risk,  reask. 
Rince,  rinceadh  [rinka],  dance;  rinky,  rinha,  rink. 
Rinn,   a  point   of  land  ;    rin,  rine,  reen,   ring,  ranna. 
Ros,  generally  means  a  wood  in  the  south,  and  a  pen- 
insula in  the  north ;  ross,  rus,  rush. 
Rusg,  a  marsh ;  roosk,  rusk,  rusky,  rusky, 
Saer  [sair],  a  carpenter  ;  seer,  leer. 
Sagart,  a  priest;  saggar t,  taggart,  teggart. 
Saileach  fsaulagh],  a  sallow ;  sillagh,  sallagh,  sill. 
SamhuinTsowen,  savin],  the  first  of  ^November ;  souna, 

sawna,  hawan,  human,  haven,  hawna. 
Scairbh  [scarriff],    a  shallow  rugged  ford  ;   skarriff, 

scarry,  scarva,  scurvy,  scarragh. 
Scairt  [scart],  a  thicket;  scart,  scarty. 
Sceach  [skagh],  a  whitethorn  bush;  skeagh,  skehy,  skey, 

ske,  skeha,  skew. 
Scealp  [skalp],  a  cleft;  scalp. 
Sceilig  [skellig],  a  rock  ;  skellig. 
Sceir  [sker],  a  sharp  rock,  plxiral  sceire  [skerry] ;  sker 

skerry,  skerries. 
Serin  [skreen],  a  shrine;  skreen,  skryne,  skreena. 
Seabhac  [shouk],  a  hawk ;  shoke,  shock,  touk,  take. 
Sealan  [shallanj,  a  hangman's  rope,  a  gallows ;  shalhn, 

shullan. 
SealgPshallog],  hunting;  shallog,  shellig. 
Sean  [shan],  old ;  shan,  shanna. 
Seiseadh  [sheshal  a  sixth  part;  shesha,  sheshia,  sheshiv 


106  Vocabulary  of  Irish  Root  Words. 

Seisreach  [shesheragh],  a  measure  of  land;  sheshera^ 

shesheraffh,  sistra. 
Seiscenn  [^sheskin],  a  marsh,  a  quagmire ;  shesh'n,  sesh'n, 

teskin. 
Sidh  I  shee],  a  fairy  hill,  a  fairy;  shee. 
Sidhean  |_8heeaun],  a  fairy  hill ;  sheauriy  sheehaun,  sheean, 

shean,  sion,  shane. 
Siol  LsheelJ,  seed,  descendants ;  shil,  sJiel. 
Sionnach  [shinnagh],  a  fox ;  shinny,  shinnagh,  tinny. 
Sliabh  [sleeve],  a  mountain ;  slieve,  slie,  sle,  lieve,  lie  f 

and  by  an  eclipse  of  s,  tleva,  tlieve,  ilea. 
Slighe  [slee],  a  road  or  pass ;  she. 
Sluagh  [sloo],  a  host ;  sloe,  the,  tloy,  tlowig. 
Snamh  [snauvj,  swimming,  a  swimming  ford ;  snaut\ 

snave,  sna,  tna,  tra. 
Sradbhaile  [sradvally],  street-town,  a  town  with  one 

street ;   stradhally. 
Sraid  [sraud  j,  a  street;  sraud,  straid,  strade,  strad. 
8r6n  [srone],  the  nose,  a  nose-like  hill ;  sroan,  shroney 

stran. 
Sruth  I  sruh],  a  stream;  sruh,  srue,  srough,  strew. 
Sruthair  [eruher],  a  stream;  shrule,  shruel,  struell,  sroof, 

sroohill. 
Sruhan  [sruhaun],  a  stream ;  sroughan,  sruffaun,  straf- 

fan,  truan,  trone. 
Ster  (Danish),  a  place. 
Stuaic  [stookj,  a  pointed  pinnacle,  an  out  jutting  point 

of  rock ;  stock. 
SuidhefseeJ,  a  sitting  place,  a  seat;  see,  se,  sea,  shi. 
Taebh  [tave],  the  side,  a  hill-side ;  teeve,  teev. 
Taimhleacht  [tavlaghtj,  a  plague-grave,  a  place  where 

those  who  died  of  a  plague  were  interred;  tallaght^ 

tamlaght,  tamlat,  tawlaght,  towlaght,  toulett,  howlaght^ 

hawlagh,  hamlat,  Aamlet. 
T   nhnach  [tawnaghj,  a  green  field;  tawnagh,  tawny^ 

lonagh,  tamnagh,  taniny. 
Tarbh   [tarrivj,   a  bull;   tairiv,  terriff,    tarriff,   tarf^ 

tarry^  herriff,  harriff. 
Tate,  tath ;  a  measure  of  land  ;  tat,  tafe. 
Teach  [taghj,  a  house;  tagh,  ta,  tee,  ti,  ty;  and  by  cor- 
ruption, sta,  sfr,  sty. 


Vocabulary  of  Irish  Root  Words.  107 

Teamhair  [tawer],   an  elevated  spot  commanding  an 

extensive  view;  tara,  totiragh,  totcer,  taur. 
Teampull  [tampnl],  a  church ;  temple. 
Teine  [tinna],  fire ;  tinni/,  tenny. 
Teotan  [totaun],  a  burning  or  conflagration ;  iotaun. 
Tobar,  tipra  (gen.  tioprad),  a  well;  tober,  tuhher,  tip- 

per,  tuhhrid,  tibret. 
Tochar  [togher"],  a  causeway  over  a  bog  or  marsh; 

togher. 
Tor,  a  tower,  a  tower-like  rock ;  t(^r. 
Tore  [turk],  a  boar;  turJc,  tore,  hirk,  nadurh. 
Traigh  [tra],  a  strand;  tra,  traw,  tray. 
Trian  [treen],  a  third  part;  treen,  trean,  trien. 
Triucha  [truha],  a  cantred  or  district ;  trough,  true. 
Tromm,  the  elder  or  boor-tree ;  trim^  trom,  trum. 
Tuaim  [toom],  a  tumulus  or  burial  mound ;  toome,  torn, 

toom,  turn. 
Tuar  [toor],  a  bleach  green,    any  green  field  where 

things  were  put  to  bleach  or  dry  ;  to&r,  tore,  tour. 
Tulach  [tulla],  a  little  hill;  iulla,  tullow,  tullagh,  tuUy, 

tul. 
Turlach  [toorlagh],  a  lake  that  dries  up  in  summer;  tur- 

lotigh,  turly. 
Ua,  a  grandson,  a  descendant ;  plural  ui  or  uibh  [ee,  iv"" 

descendants;   0  (in  such  names  as  O'Brien),  Ay,  t, 

he. 
Uagh,  uaimh  [ooa,  ooiv],  a  cave,  gen.  uamhann  [ooan]; 

forms  the  terminations  oe,  oo,  nahoe,  nahoo,  oova,  of*, 

one^  oon. 
Uaran  [ooran],  a  cold  spring ;  oran. 
Qbhall  [oolj,  an  apple;  see-abhall. 
Uisce  [iskaj,  water ;  iska,  isky,  isk. 
Urchur  [urker],  a  cast  or  throw  ;  urcher. 
Umaidhe  [umy],  a  prayer,  a  prayer-house  or  oratory; 

wmey,  and  with  the  article  incorporated,  numy.    *ti! 


THE  Ein). 


^ 


DA  Joyce,  Patrick  Weston 
920  Irish  local  names 

J68  explained 
1902 


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