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{{Short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
The vast majority of [[Toponymy|placenames]] in Ireland are [[anglicisation]]s of [[Irish language]] names; that is, adaptations of the Irish names to English [[phonology]] and spelling. However, some names come directly from the [[English language]], and a handful come from [[Old Norse]] and [[Scots language|Scots]]. The [[toponymy|study of placenames]] in Ireland unveils features of the country's history and geography and the development of the Irish language. The name of Ireland itself comes from the Irish name ''[[Éire]]'', added to the [[Germanic languages|Germanic]] word ''land''. In [[Irish mythology|mythology]], Éire was an Irish goddess of the land and of sovereignty (see [[Ériu]]).
In some cases, the official English or anglicised name is wholly different from the official Irish language name. An example is [[Dublin]]: its name is derived from the Irish {{lang|ga|dubh linn}} (meaning "black pool"), but its Irish name is {{lang|ga|Baile Átha Cliath}} (meaning "town of the hurdled ford").
==Etymology==
===Names of Irish Gaelic origin===
For most of the [[Gaelic Ireland|Gaelic period]], there were very few towns or large settlements in Ireland. Hence, most places were named after noteworthy features of the landscape, such as hills, rocks, valleys, lakes, islands, and harbours. As time went on, more places were named after man-made features, such as churches, castles, and bridges. Some of the most common elements found in Irish placenames are shown in the table below. The differences in spelling are often due to differences in pronunciation.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! [[Anglicisation|Anglicised spelling]]
! Irish
! English translation
! Example(s)
|-
|''agha, aghy, aghey, augha''||{{lang|ga|achadh}}||field||[[Aghalee]], [[Aughagower]]
|-
|''ard''||{{lang|ga|ard}}||high, height, hill||[[Ardcroney]], [[Ardfert]], [[Ardglass]]
|-
|''ard, at, ath''||{{lang|ga|áth}}||[[ford (crossing)|ford]]||[[Ardsallis]], [[Attymass]], [[Athlone]], [[Athenry]], [[Athy]]
|-
|''bal, balli, bally, bel''||{{lang|ga|baile}}||homestead, settlement||[[Balbriggan]], [[Ballinagree]], [[Ballycastle (disambiguation)|Ballycastle]], [[Ballyjamesduff]], [[Ballymoney]], [[Ballymena]], [[Belcarra, County Mayo|Belcarra]]
|-
|''balli, ballina, bally, bella, bellana, ballaghna''||{{lang|ga|béal (an) átha (an/na)}}||ford-mouth (see ''béal'' and ''áth'')||[[Ballinhassig]], [[Ballinasloe]], [[Ballybay]], [[Silvermines|Bellagowan]], [[Bellavary]], [[Bellanagare]], [[Ballaghnatrillick]]
|-
|''bally, balla(gh), bella(gh)''||{{lang|ga|bealach}}||pass, passage||[[Ballybofey]], [[Ballyclare]], [[Ballaghaderreen]], [[Ballaghmore, County Laois|Ballaghmore]]
|-
|''bane, bain, baun''||{{lang|ga|bán}}||white||[[Strabane]], [[Whitehead, County Antrim|Kinbain]], [[Cregganbaun]]
|-
|''beg''||{{lang|ga|beag}}||small||[[Bunbeg]], [[Carrickbeg]]
|-
|''bel, bell''||{{lang|ga|béal}}||mouth, rivermouth||[[Belclare]], [[Belgooly]], [[Belmullet]], [[Belfast]], [[Belturbet]]
|-
|''ben, bin''||{{lang|ga|binn, beann}}||peak||[[Benbaun]], [[Binevenagh]]
|-
|''boher, bar''||{{lang|ga|bóthar}}||road, path, [[boreen]]||[[Boherbue]], [[Bohernabreena]], [[Stoneybatter|Bohernaglogh]]
|-
|''borris''||{{lang|ga|buiríos}}||[[borough]], [[burgage]]||[[Borris, County Carlow|Borris]], [[Borrisokane]], [[Borrisoleigh]]
|-
|''boy, bue''||{{lang|ga|buí}}||yellow||[[Bawnboy]], [[Curraghboy]], [[Boherbue]]
|-
|''brack''||{{lang|ga|breac}}||mottled, speckled||[[Ballybrack]], [[Mullaghbrack]]
|-
|''bun''||{{lang|ga|bun}}||river bottom, foot, mouth||[[Bunbeg]], [[Buncrana]], [[Bundoran]]
|-
|''cashel''||{{lang|ga|caiseal}}||stone [[ringfort]]||[[Cashel, County Tipperary|Cashel]], [[Cashelore]]
|-
|''cappa(gh)''||{{lang|ga|ceapach}}||plot, tillage||[[Cappagh, County Tyrone|Cappagh]], [[Cappamore]], [[Cappawhite]]
|-
|''carn''||{{lang|ga|carn}}||[[cairn]]||[[Carndonagh]], [[Carnmoney]]
|-
|''carrow, carry, carhoo, caherna''||{{lang|ga|ceathrú}}||quarter||[[Carrowdore]], [[Carrowteige]], [[Carryduff]]
|-
|''carrig, carrick, craig''||{{lang|ga|carraig, creig}}||rock, rocky outcrop||[[Carrigaline]], [[Carrick (disambiguation)#Places|Carrick]], [[Carrickfergus]], [[Carrickmacross]], [[Craigarogan]]
|-
|''cahir, caher''||{{lang|ga|cathair}}||stone [[ringfort]]||[[Cahir]], [[Cahircon]], [[Caherdaniel]]
|-
|''clare''||{{lang|ga|clár}}||plateau, (of) level land||[[Clarecastle]], [[Claremorris]], [[Belclare]], [[Cooraclare]]
|-
|''clo(gh), clough''||{{lang|ga|cloch, cloich}}||rock||[[Clonakilty]], [[Clogheen (disambiguation)|Clogheen]], [[Clogher]], [[Cloughjordan]]
|-
|''clon, clone, cloon''||{{lang|ga|cluain}}||meadow||[[Clondalkin]], [[Clonmel]], [[Cloondara]]
|-
|''coom''||{{lang|ga|com}}||hollow||[[Coomkeen]]
|-
|''cor''||{{lang|ga|corr}}||small round hill||[[Cornafulla]], [[Corblonog]]
|-
|''corry, curry''||{{lang|ga|coire}}||[[cirque|corrie]]||[[Rockcorry]], [[Tubbercurry]]
|-
|''crogh, croagh''||{{lang|ga|cruach}}||stack, pile||[[Croghan Mountain|Croghan]], [[Croaghgorm]]
|-
|''cross''||{{lang|ga|cros, crois}}||cross||[[Crossbarry]], [[Crossmaglen]], [[Crossmolina]]
|-
|''cul, cool''||{{lang|ga|cúl}}||back, behind||[[Cultra]], [[Coolafancy]], [[Coolderry]]
|-
|''cul, cool, cole''||{{lang|ga|cúil}}||nook, corner||[[Culdaff]], [[Coleraine]], [[Coolrain]], [[Cloonacool]]
|-
|''der, derry, dor, dore''||{{lang|ga|doire}}||grove, oak-grove||[[Derry]], [[Edenderry]], [[Glandore]], [[Kildorrery]], [[Ballaghaderreen]]
|-
|''dona(gh)''||{{lang|ga|domhnach}}||church||[[Donaghadee]], [[Donabate]], [[Carndonagh]]
|-
|''droghed, drohed, drohid''||{{lang|ga|droichead}}||bridge||[[Drogheda]], [[Carrigadrohid]], [[Clondrohid]]
|-
|''drom, drum, drim''||{{lang|ga|druim, droim}}||back, ridge||[[Dromod]], [[Dromore, County Down|Dromore]], [[Drumcondra, Dublin|Drumcondra]], [[Drumshanbo]], [[Drimoleague]]
|-
|''dub, duff, duv''||{{lang|ga|dubh}}||black||[[Dublin]], [[Claddaghduff]], [[Cloughduv]]
|-
|''dun, doon, down, downe''||{{lang|ga|dún}}||stronghold, fort||[[Dunboyne]], [[Dungannon]], [[Dungarvan]], [[Doonbeg]], [[Downpatrick]], [[Lansdowne Road|Lansdowne]]
|-
|''ennis, inch, innis, innish, inish''||{{lang|ga|inis}}||island||[[Ennis]], [[Enniscorthy]], [[Enniskillen]], [[Inch, County Wexford|Inch]], [[Inniskeen]], [[Inishcrone]]
|-
|''esk, eish''||{{lang|ga|eiscir}}||[[esker]]||[[Eskra]]
|-
|''fer''||{{lang|ga|fear, fir}}||men||[[County Fermanagh|Fermanagh]], [[Fermoy]]
|-
|''fin, finn, ven''||{{lang|ga|fionn}}||clear, white, fair||[[Finglas]], [[Ballyfin]], [[Ventry]]
|-
|''freagh, frack''||{{lang|ga|fraoch}}||heather||[[Letterfrack]]
|-
|''garv, gorv''||{{lang|ga|garbh}}||rough||[[Garvagh]], [[Garvaghey]], [[Gorvagh]]
|-
|''gee, gwee''||{{lang|ga|gaoth}}||[[estuary]]||[[Geesala]], [[Gweedore]]
|-
|''glas, glass''||{{lang|ga|glas}}||stream||[[Glasnevin]], [[Douglas, Cork|Douglas]], [[Finglas]]
|-
|''glen, glan''||{{lang|ga|gleann}}||valley||[[Glencullen]], [[Glenties]], [[Glenveagh]], [[Glanmire]], [[Glanworth]]
|-
|''gorm''||{{lang|ga|gorm}}||blue||[[Galgorm Parks|Galgorm]], [[Ben Gorm]]
|-
|''gort''||{{lang|ga|gort}}||field||[[Gort]], [[Gorteen]], [[Gortnahoe]]
|-
|''illan, illaun, island''||{{lang|ga|oileán}}||island||[[Illanmaster]], [[Islandeady]]
|-
|''inver, ineer, enner''||{{lang|ga|inbhear, inbhir}}||river mouth, [[estuary]]||[[Inver, County Donegal|Inver]], [[Rossinver]], [[Dromineer]]
|-
|''kil, kill''||{{lang|ga|cill}}||churchyard or graveyard||[[Kill, County Kildare|Kill]], [[Kildare]], [[Kilkenny]], [[Killiney]], [[Kilrush]]
|-
|''kil, kill''||{{lang|ga|coill}}||woodland<ref>{{cite web|title=Joyce calculates that at least 700 of the "kil(l)-" placenames, usually taken to mean "church", actually refer to woods that no longer exist|url=http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/E900000-001/index.html|website=Ucc.ie|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref>||[[Kilbehenny]], [[Kilcogy]], [[Bailieborough|Killycollie]], [[Kilmacthomas]]
|-
|''kin, ken, con, can, carn''||{{lang|ga|cionn, ceann}}||head||[[Kinallen]], [[Kinlough]], [[Kinsale]], [[Kenmare]], [[Conavalla]]
|-
|''knock''||{{lang|ga|cnoc}}||hill||[[Knockbridge]], [[Knockcloghrim]], [[Knocklyon]]
|-
|''lea''||{{lang|ga|liath}}||grey||[[Killylea]]
|-
|''letter''||{{lang|ga|leitir}}||hillside||[[Letterfrack]], [[Letterkenny]], [[Lettermore]]
|-
|''lis, liss''||{{lang|ga|lios}}||earthen [[ringfort]]||[[Liscannor]], [[Lismore, County Waterford|Lismore]], [[Lisnaskea]], [[Listowel]], [[Lisselton]], [[Lissycasey]]
|-
|''lough''||{{lang|ga|loch}}||lake||[[Loughgall]], [[Loughrea]], [[Loughshinny]]
|-
|''lurgan''||{{lang|ga|lorga(n)}}||long ridge||[[Lurgan]], [[Castleblayney|Ballynalurgan]]
|-
|''maum, maam''||{{lang|ga|mám}}||mountain pass||[[Maum]], [[Maam Valley|Maam]]
|-
|''magh, may, moy, moi(gh)''||{{lang|ga|maigh, machaire}}||plain||[[Magherafelt]], [[Maynooth]], [[Mayo, County Mayo|Mayo]], [[Moycullen]]
|-
|''mona, money''||{{lang|ga|móna, monadh}}||moor, turf, peatland||[[Cornamona]], [[Ballymoney]]
|-
|''mona, money, winga, winna, winny, vinna, vinny, vunnia, bonni, bunny''||{{lang|ga|muine}}||thicket||[[Moneygall]], [[List of townlands of County Mayo|Carrowmoney]], [[List of townlands of the barony of Kerrycurrihy|Kilmoney]], [[List of townlands of County Galway|Ballywinna]], [[List of townlands of the barony of Barrymore|Ballinvinny]], [[Bonniconlon]]
|-
|''monaster''||{{lang|ga|mainistir}}||abbey, monastery||[[Monasteraden]], [[Monasterevin]]
|-
|''more''||{{lang|ga|mór}}||big, great||[[Ballymore (disambiguation)|Ballymore]], [[Baltimore, County Cork|Baltimore]], [[Kilmore (disambiguation)#Ireland|Kilmore]], [[Oranmore]], [[Tullamore]]
|-
|''mulla(gh), mulh''||{{lang|ga|mullach}}||summit||[[Mullagh, County Cavan|Mullagh]], [[Mullaghmore (disambiguation)|Mullaghmore]], [[Mullaghbawn]], [[Mulhuddart]]
|-
|''mullin''||{{lang|ga|muileann}}||mill||[[Mullinahone]], [[Mullinavat]], [[Mullingar]], [[Bellanamullia]]
|-
|''noe''||{{lang|ga|nua}}||new||[[Ballynoe (disambiguation)|Ballynoe]], [[Templenoe]]
|-
|''owen''||{{lang|ga|abhainn}}||river||[[Owenbeg]]
|-
|''poll, poul''||{{lang|ga|poll}}||hole||[[Pollagh]], [[Poulaphouca]], [[Poulpeasty]]
|-
|''port''||{{lang|ga|port}}||stronghold, fort||[[Portlaoise]]
|-
|''port''||{{lang|ga|port}}||port, harbour, landing place||[[Portadown]], [[Portmarnock]]
|-
|''rath, rah''||{{lang|ga|ráth}}||earthen [[ringfort]]||[[Rathdrum, County Wicklow|Rathdrum]], [[Rathfarnham]], [[Rathmines]], [[Raheen (disambiguation)|Raheen]], [[Raheny]]
|-
|''rea(gh), reva(gh)''||{{lang|ga|riabhach}}||[[brindle]]d, speckled||[[Loughrea]], [[Moneyreagh]], [[Cloonsheerevagh]]
|-
|''roe''||{{lang|ga|rua}}||red||[[Carraroe]], [[Murroe]], [[Portroe]]
|-
|''ros, ross, rosh, rus, rush''||{{lang|ga|ros}}||wood, wooded promontory||[[Roscommon]], [[Roscrea]], [[Rush, County Dublin|Rush]], [[Kilrush]], [[New Ross]], [[Carrickmacross]]
|-
|''sall, salla, sally''||{{lang|ga|sail(each)}}||willow(s)||[[Ballysally]], [[Sallins]]
|-
|''shan''||{{lang|ga|sean}}||old||[[Shanballymore]], [[Shandon, Cork|Shandon]], [[Shankill, Dublin|Shankill]]
|-
|''sheskin''||{{lang|ga|seascann}}||marsh, quagmire||[[Sheskin]]
|-
|''ske, skey, skay, skea(gh)''||{{lang|ga|sceach}}||(thorn) bush, [[Crataegus monogyna|hawthorn]]||[[Skehana]], [[Skeheenarinky]], [[Ballyskeagh]], [[Clonskeagh]]
|-
|''skreen, skrine, skryne''||{{lang|ga|scrín}}||shrine||[[Skreen]], [[Skryne]]
|-
|''slieve''||{{lang|ga|sliabh}}||mountain||[[Slievenamon]], [[Slieve Donard]]
|-
|''sra(gh), srah, stra, strad, strath, straw''||{{lang|ga|srath, sraith}}||floodplain||[[List of townlands of County Tipperary|Sragh]], [[Stranorlar]], [[Stradone, County Cavan|Stradone]], [[Strathfoyle]], [[Straw, County Londonderry|Straw]]
|-
|''ta(gh), taugh, te, tee, ti(gh)''||{{lang|ga|teach}}||house||[[Taney Parish|Taney]], [[Taghadoe]], [[Taghmaconnell]], [[Taughboyne]], [[Templeogue]], [[Timoleague]], [[Tydavnet]]
|-
|''temple''||{{lang|ga|teampall}}||church||[[Templemore]], [[Templenoe]], [[Ballintemple, Cork|Ballintemple]]
|-
|''ter, tir, tyr''||{{lang|ga|tír}}||territory||[[Terenure]], [[Terryglass]], [[County Donegal|Tirconaill]], [[County Tyrone|Tyrone]]
|-
|''termon''||{{lang|ga|tearmann}}||refuge, sanctuary||[[Termon]], [[Termonfeckin]]
|-
|''tieve''||{{lang|ga|taobh}}||hillside||[[Tievebulliagh]]
|-
|''tober, tubber''||{{lang|ga|tobar}}||[[water well]]||[[Ballintober (disambiguation)|Ballintober]], [[Tobermore]], [[Tubberclare]], [[Tubbercurry]]
|-
|''tra, try''||{{lang|ga|trá, tráigh}}||beach, strand||[[Tragumna]], [[Tralee]], [[Tramore]], [[Ventry]]
|-
|''tuam, tom, toom''||{{lang|ga|tuaim}}||burial mound||[[Tuam]], [[Tuamgraney]], [[Toomevara]]
|-
|''tulla(gh), tully, tullow''||{{lang|ga|tulach}}||hillock, mound, heap||[[Tullamore]], [[Tullyallen (disambiguation)|Tullyallen]], [[Tullyhogue]], [[Tullow]]
|-
|''turlough, turlagh''||{{lang|ga|turlach}}||[[turlough (lake)|turlough]]||[[Turlough, County Mayo|Turlough]], [[Turloughmore]], [[List of townlands of County Roscommon|Turlaghmore]]
|-
|''orlar, urlar, urlaur''||{{lang|ga|urlár}}||floor, flat land||[[Stranorlar]], [[List of townlands of County Sligo|Urlar]]
|-
|''vea(gh), vei(gh)''||{{lang|ga|bheithe}}||(of) birch||[[Kilkeel (civil parish)|Ballyveagh]], [[Glenveagh]]
|}
===Names of
During the [[Ireland 800–1169|800s and 900s]], [[Vikings]] from [[Scandinavia]] raided [[monastery|monasteries]] along Ireland's coasts and waterways. The Vikings spoke the [[Old Norse language]] and are also called [[Norsemen]]. They set up small coastal camps called [[longphorts]] – these were used as bases for their raiding parties and as shelters during the winter. Eventually, some longphorts grew into Norse settlements and trading ports. The biggest of these were [[Kingdom of Dublin|Dublin]] (which became a Norse-Gaelic kingdom), [[Wexford]], [[Waterford]], [[Cork (city)|Cork]] and [[Limerick]]. Over time, the Norsemen embraced Gaelic language and culture, becoming known as the [[Norse-Gaels]] (''Gall-Ghaeil'' in Modern Irish, ''Gall-Gaidhel'' in Old Irish).
[[File:Keyser's Lane, Wexford 2.jpg|thumb|Sign on Keyser's Lane, [[Wexford]]]]
Placenames derived from Old Norse:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!English
!Old Norse<br /><small>(approximation)</small>
!Old Norse<br />translated
!Irish<br /><small>(modern)</small>
!Notes
|-
|[[Arklow]]||''Arkells-lág''||Arkell's low place ||''an tInbhear Mór''||The Irish was historically anglicised as ''Invermore''.
|-
|[[Blasket Islands|Blasket]]|| ''Brasker''||sharp reef||''Blascaod''|| Unclear origin, first recorded as ''Brascher, Braschet, Brasquei''.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dDOP5HXnsf0C&q=brasker+norse+-blasket&pg=PA139|title=The Islandman: The Hidden Life of Tomás O'Crohan|first=Irene|last=Lucchitti|date=2 August 2009|publisher=Peter Lang|isbn=9783039118373|via=Google Books}}</ref>
|-
|[[Carlingford, County Louth|Carlingford]]||''Kerling-fjǫrðr''||old woman fjord||''Cairlinn''||
|-
|[[Copeland Islands]]||''Kaupmanneyjar''||merchants' island||''Oileáin Chóplainn''|| The Norse name appears in ''[[Hákonar saga Hákonarsonar]]'' (1230). Later influenced by the Norman surname de Coupland, Copeland.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VsgwDAAAQBAJ&dq=Kaupmanneyjar&pg=PA129|title=A Dictionary of British Place-Names|first=David|last=Mills|date=21 October 2011|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-107894-1|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=br8xcW1f_a8C&dq=Kaupmanneyjar&pg=PT231|title=A Dictionary of British Place-Names|first=A. D.|last=Mills|date=9 October 2003|publisher=OUP Oxford|isbn=978-0-19-157847-2|via=Google Books}}</ref>
|-
|[[Dalkey]]||—||—||''Deilginis''||The name is a meld of ''deilg'' (Irish) + ''[[island|ey]]'' (Norse).
|-
|[[Dursey Island|Dursey]]||''Þjórrs-ey''||bull island||''Baoi Bhéarra'' or ''Oileán Baoi''||
|-
|[[Fastnet Rock|Fastnet]]||''Hvasstǫnn-ey''||sharp-tooth island||''Carraig Aonair''||—
|-
|[[Fota Island|Fota]]||''Fódr-øy''||Foot island||''Fóite''||Uncertain etymology, possible means "foot" as it is at the mouth of the [[River Lee]].<ref name="Peritia1997">{{cite journal|last=Ó Corráin|first=Donnchadh|year=1997|title=Note: Old-Norse place names I: Fodri, Foatey, Fota|journal=Peritia|publisher=Brepols|volume=11|page=52|issn=0332-1592|doi=10.1484/J.Peri.3.291|url=http://www.brepolsonline.net/doi/abs/10.1484/J.Peri.3.291?journalCode=perit|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
|-
|[[Haulbowline]]||''Ál-boling''||eel dwelling||''Inis Sionnach''||—
|-
|[[Helvick]]|| ''Hellavik'', ''Helgavík'' ||bright bay, healthy bay, safe bay, holy bay||''Heilbhic''||The Irish is a Gaelicisation of the Old Norse. [[Hellvik]], Norway probably has the same root.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.logainm.ie/en/49599|title=Heilbhic/Helvick|website=Logainm.ie}}</ref>
|-
|[[Howth]]||''Hǫfuð''||head||''Binn Éadair''||—
|-
|[[Ireland's Eye]]||Ireland's ''øy''||Ireland's island||''Inis Mac Neasáin''|| Originally called Eria's Island; this was later confused and it became "[[Erin]]'s Island"; the Norse word ''øy'' ("island") was added, and this was later confused with English "eye."<ref>{{cite book |first=James Henthorn |last=Todd |title=[[Cogad Gáedel re Gallaib]] |date=1867 |page=lxxxiii}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first=Edmund |last=Hogan |url=http://publish.ucc.ie/doi/locus |title=Onomasticon Goedelicum |date=1910 |publisher=Hodges Figgis |___location=Dublin |access-date=11 July 2018 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
|-
|[[Keyser's Lane]]||''keisa''?||bend||''Cúlán Chaosair''|| Street name found in [[Drogheda]], [[Dublin]], [[Waterford]], [[Wexford]] and [[Cork (city)|Cork]]. Believed to derive from Old Norse, perhaps ''keisa'' ("bend") or ''keisari'' ("emperor").<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cora.ucc.ie/bitstream/handle/10468/3009/lmf3.pdf?sequence=1|title=The Vikings in Munster}}</ref> Other sources give "ship wharf."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/droghedaindependent/lifestyle/life-of-reilly-drawdas-viking-origins-revealed-27150031.html|title=LIFE OF REILLY: Drawda's Viking origins revealed|website=Irish Independent|date=29 September 2010 }}</ref>
|-
|[[Lambay Island|Lambay]]||''Lamb-ey''||lamb island||''Reachrainn''||—
|-
|[[Leixlip]]||''Lax Hlaup''||salmon leap||''Léim an Bhradáin''||The Irish is a translation of the Old Norse.<br />The English is an Anglicisation of the Old Norse.
|-
|[[Oxmantown]]||-||-||''Baile Lochlannach''||[[North Germanic peoples|Scandinavian]] homestead.
|-
|[[Saltee Islands|Saltee]]||''Salt-ey''|||salt island||''Na Sailtí''||The Irish is a Gaelicisation of the Old Norse.<br />The English is an Anglicisation of the Old Norse.
|-
|[[Selskar]]||''Selr-skar''|| [[pinniped|seal]] [[skerry]]||''Seilsceir''||
|-
|[[Smerwick]]||''Smjǫr-vík''|| butter bay||''Ard na Caithne''||
|-
|[[Strangford]]||''Strangr-fjǫrðr''||strict or narrow fjord||''Loch Cuan''||—
|-
|[[Skerries, County Dublin|Skerries]]||''Skeri''||[[Skerry|skerries]]||''Na Sceirí''||The Irish is a Gaelicisation of the Old Norse.<br />The English is an Anglicisation of the Old Norse.
|-
|[[The Skerries, Northern Ireland|The Skerries]]||''Skeri''||[[Skerry|skerries]]||''Na Sceirí''||Located in County Antrim.
|-
|[[Tuskar Rock, Ireland|Tuskar]]||''Þurs-sker''||giant rock<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GLEVAAAAYAAJ&q=Tuskar|title=Archaeologia Cambrensis|date=2 August 1920|publisher=W. Pickering|via=Google Books}}</ref>||''An Tuscar''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.logainm.ie/en/1166860|title=An Tuscar/Tuskar Rock|website=Logainm.ie}}</ref>||—
|-
|[[Waterford]]||''Veðra-fjǫrðr''||[[sheep|ram]] or [[Sheep|wether]] fjord||''Port Láirge''||The English name is a [[folk etymology]].
|-
|[[Wexford]]||''Veisa-fjǫrðr''||muddy fjord||''Loch Garman''||The Irish was historically anglicised as ''Loughgarman''.<ref>Lacy, Thomas. ''Sights and Scenes in Our Fatherland''. Simpkin, Marshall & Co., 1863. Page 404.</ref>
|-
|[[Whiddy Island|Whiddy]]||''Hvít-øy''||white island||''Faoide''|| Uncertain etymology.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/property/homeandoutdoors/arid-30855358.html|title=Islands of Ireland: Cruising to wonderful Whiddy|date=16 July 2018|website=Irish Examiner}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.logainm.ie/en/8648|title=Faoide/Whiddy Island|website=Logainm.ie}}</ref>
|-
|[[Wicklow]]||''Víkinga-lág''||Vikings' low place||''Cill Mhantáin''||The Irish was historically anglicised as ''Kilmantan''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.logainm.ie/?text=wicklow&placeID=55959|title=Bunachar Logainmneacha na hÉireann|website=Logainm.ie|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref>
|}
===Names of English origin===
After the [[Norman invasion of Ireland]], which began in 1169, [[Anglo-Norman language|Anglo-Norman]] and English language placenames emerged in the areas under Anglo-Norman control. Most of these are within the bounds of "[[The Pale]]" – the area that stayed under direct English control for the longest, and where English language and culture held sway. It stretched along the east coast from [[Dundalk]] in the north to [[Dalkey]] in the south.
Between 1556 and 1641, during its "[[Tudor conquest of Ireland|conquest of Ireland]]", the English [[colonisation|colonised]] parts of the country with settlers from Great Britain. This is known as the "[[Plantations of Ireland]]". After the 1601 Battle of Kinsale defeat in which the Gaelic aristocracy fled to continental Europe the northern province of [[Ulster]] was the most heavily colonised. Those who settled as part of the "[[Plantation of Ulster]]" were required to be English speaking made up mostly of Lowland Scots and some northern English. The result is that northeast Ulster also has a great number of English-derived placenames.
Such placenames often refer to buildings and other manmade features. They often include forms such as ''[[wikt:town|-town]]'', ''[[wikt:town|-ton]]'', ''[[wikt:-ville|-ville]]'', ''[[wikt:borough|-borough]]'', ''[[wikt:-bury|-bury]]'', ''[[wikt:bridge|bridge]]'', ''[[wikt:mill|mill]]'', ''[[wikt:castle|castle]]'', ''[[wikt:abbey|abbey]]'', ''[[wikt:church|church]]'', etc. However, forms such as ''[[wikt:hill|hill]]'', ''[[wikt:mount|mount]]'', ''[[wikt:mont|mont]]'', ''[[wikt:wood|wood]]'', ''[[wikt:bay|bay]]'', ''[[wikt:brook|brook]]'' etc. are not uncommon.
Some placenames that seem to come from English are in fact anglicized Irish names modified by [[folk etymology]]. Examples include [[Longford]] ({{etymology|ga|an Longphort|the dock}}), [[Upperlands|Upperland]] (from ''Áth an Phoirt Leathain'' meaning "ford of the broad (river) bank"),<ref name="IPA">Toner, Gregory: ''Place-Names of Northern Ireland''. Queen's University of Belfast, 1996, {{ISBN|0-85389-613-5}}</ref> [[Golden, County Tipperary|Golden]] (from ''gabhailín'' meaning "little [[river fork]]") and [[Forkhill]] (from ''Foirceal'' meaning "trough").<ref>[http://www.ulsterplacenames.org/PDF%20Files/Newry%20and%20Mourne%20(C.%20Dunbar).pdf Newry & Mourne Council Area], Northern Ireland Place-name Project</ref>
===Names of Scots origin===
The [[Scottish Lowlands|Lowland Scots]] who settled during the [[Plantation of Ulster]] also contributed to place-names in the north of Ireland, particularly in the [[Ulster Scots dialects|Ulster Scots]] areas. The [[Scots language|Scots]] influence can be seen in places such as ''Burnside'' ([[stream]]), ''Calheme'' from 'Cauldhame' (coldhome), ''Corby Knowe'' ([[common raven|raven]] [[Hillock|knoll]]) ''Glarryford'' from 'glaurie' (muddy), ''Gowks Hill'' ([[common cuckoo|cuckoo]]) and ''Loanends'' (where the lanes end) in County Antrim, ''Crawtree'' ([[crow]]), ''Whaup Island'' ([[Eurasian curlew|curlew]]) and ''Whinny Hill'' from 'whin' ([[gorse]]) in County Down and the frequent elements ''burn'' (stream), ''brae'' (incline), ''dyke'' (a stone or turf wall), ''gate'' (a way or path), ''knowe'' (knoll), ''moss'' (moorland), ''sheuch'' or ''sheugh'' (a trench or ditch) and ''vennel'' (narrow alley). Other Scots elements may be obscured due to their being rendered in [[Standard English]] orthography.
===Names of
Some places in Ireland bear names from beyond Gaelic, Norse or English.
One reason for this is because foreign names can be perceived as more fashionable than native ones. Particularly in middle-class areas, names of Italian origin have been used because of this perception and many roads (e.g. ''Vico Road'' and ''Sorrento Road'' in Dalkey) and housing estates have obtained their names in this way. More rarely, this has led to the naming of whole suburbs (e.g. [[Montenotte, Cork|Montenotte]] and [[Tivoli, Cork|Tivoli]] in Cork). [[Portobello, Dublin]] was named in celebration of the British victory at the 1739 [[Battle of Porto Bello (1739)|Battle of Porto Bello]].
Another source of place names is from [[Anglo-Norman language|Anglo-Norman]]. Considering the number of surnames of [[Normans|Norman]] origin in Ireland, these are surprisingly rare. Nevertheless, some examples do exist, such as the town of [[Buttevant]] (from the motto of the Barry family – ''Boutez en Avant'') and the village of [[Brittas, Dublin|Brittas]] (from the Norman-French ''Bretesche'', "boarding, planking"). Others exist in portmanteau with words of Irish or English origin, such as [[Castletownroche]], which combines the English ''Castletown'' and the [[French language|French]] ''Roche'', meaning rock. Most widespread is the term ''Pallas'' (from Norman ''paleis'', "boundary fence") which appears in over 20 place names, including the towns [[Pallasgreen]] and [[Pallaskenry]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.logainm.ie/en/s?txt=Pallas&str=on|title=Pallas|website=Logainm.ie|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref> [[Reeves Castle]] and the [[townland]] of Reeves near [[Celbridge]] take their name from Anglo-Norman ''rive'', meaning "riverbank."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.geocaching.com/|title=Geocaching – The Official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site|website=geocaching.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ardclough.wordpress.com/about/ardclough-history/castles-in-the-district/|title=Castles in the District|date=1 February 2013}}</ref>
A further source of place names of other origin is places names after religious sites outside Ireland. Examples are Lourdes Road in Dublin and Pic du Jer Park in [[Cork (city)|Cork]].
The baronies of [[North Salt]] and [[South Salt]] are derived from ''Saltus Salmonis'', a [[Latin]] calque of the town name of [[Leixlip]] (from Norse ''Lax Hlaup'', "[[Atlantic salmon|salmon]] leap").
Some linguists, including [[Theo Vennemann]], have proposed that the ancient name for Ireland ''Ivernia'' or ''Hibernia'' is derived from [[Proto-Semitic language|proto-Semitic]] ''*'i: weriju'' ("island of copper").<ref name="coates">{{cite web |last1=Coates |first1=Richard |title=A toponomastic contribution to the linguistic prehistory of the British Isles |url=https://www.snsbi.org.uk/Nomina_articles/Nomina_35_Coates.pdf |access-date=21 June 2023}}</ref>
==Republic of Ireland==
[[File:BallickmoylerOnTheR429road4086.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Welcome sign at [[Ballickmoyler]], [[County Laois]] – the letter ''i'' is written [[Dotless I|dotless]] as it is in [[Gaelic type|Gaelic script]]]]
In the [[Republic of Ireland]], both Irish and English names have equal status and are displayed on road signs, though the Irish is in smaller, italicised font, while the English is in all upper case. However, in the [[Gaeltacht]], the English/anglicized names have no official status and do not appear on road signs.
During and after the foundation of the [[Irish Free State]] in 1922, some English names were returned to their Irish form. In most cases, the Irish Gaelic name became the only official one (for example ''Kingstown'' became ''Dún Laoghaire'' in both languages). In other cases, the English name was changed for another (for example ''King's County'' became ''County Offaly'', which comes from the Irish ''Uíbh Fhailí''). Although most of the changes were accepted by the wider public, some did not catch on and were eventually undone. The Local Government Act 1946 allowed locals to petition for a name change.
The following places were officially renamed:
*Bagenalstown → [[Muine Bheag]] (1932)
*[[Charleville, County Cork|Charleville]] → Ráth Luirc (1920s) → Charleville (1989)
*[[County Donegal]] → County Tirconaill (1922)<ref>"Place Name Confusion{{spaced ndash}}Donegal or Tirconaill", ''The Irish Times'', 24 April 1924.</ref> → County Donegal (1927)<ref>"Back to 'Donegal'", ''The Irish Times'', 22 November 1927.</ref>
*[[Edgeworthstown]] → Mostrim (1935)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ied.dippam.ac.uk/records/25662|title=Documenting Ireland: Parliament, People and Migration|website=Ied.dippam.ac.uk|access-date=15 January 2018|archive-date=23 December 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121223033940/http://ied.dippam.ac.uk/records/25662|url-status=dead}}</ref> → Edgeworthstown (1974)
*[[Kells, County Meath|Kells]] → Ceannanus Mór (1929)<ref>[http://www.logainm.ie/1872.aspx Placenames Database of Ireland] (see archival records)</ref> → Kells (1993)<ref>{{cite ISB|year=1993|type=si|num=156|title=Local Government (Change of Name of Urban District) Order 1993|date=15 June 1993|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref>
*King's County → [[County Offaly]] (1922)
*Kingstown → [[Dún Laoghaire]] (1922)
*Kingwilliamstown → [[Ballydesmond]] (1951)<ref>{{cite ISB|year=1951|type=si|num=138|title=Local Government (Change of Name of Townland) Order 1951|date=11 May 1951|signedby=[[John A. Costello]], [[Taoiseach]]}}</ref>
*Maryborough → [[Portlaoise]] (1929)
*[[Navan]] → An Uaimh (1922)<ref name=navanhistorical>[http://www.navanhistory.ie/index.php?page=an-uaimh--its-origin An Uaimh – its Origin]. Navan Historical Society.</ref> → Navan (1971)<ref>{{cite ISB | title=Local Government (Change of Name of Urban District) Order 1971 | year = 1971|type=si|num=200|date=25 June 1971|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref>
*[[Newbridge, County Kildare|Newbridge]] → Droichead Nua (1930s)
*Newtownbarry → [[Bunclody]] (1950)<ref>{{cite ISB|year=1950|type=si|num=281|title=Local Government (Change of Name of Non-Municipal Town) Order 1950|access-date=15 January 2018|date=7 November 1950|signedby=John A. Costello, Taoiseach}}</ref>
*Newtownsandes → [[Moyvane]] (1939)
*Parsonstown → [[Birr, County Offaly|Birr]] (1890s)
*Philipstown → [[Daingean]] (1922)
*Queen's County → [[County Laois]] (1922)
*Queenstown → [[Cobh]] (1922)
Pursuant to the [[Official Languages Act 2003]] and the advice of the ''Coimisiún Logainmneacha'' (Place-Names Commission), the Placenames (Centres of Population and Districts) Order 2005 was issued, listing the equivalent in the Irish language of place-names specified in the Order with its English form. The Irish words then had the same meaning and same force and effect as the place-name.{{clarify|date=November 2010}} This order lists a little fewer than 2,000 place-names, many of which were changed from the Irish form used since independence, e.g. [[Bray, County Wicklow|Bray]] went from ''Brí Chualann'' to ''Bré'' and [[Naas]] changed from ''Nás na Rí'' to ''An Nás''.
Beyond the Gaeltacht, only English placenames were officially recognised (pre-2004). But further placenames orders have been passed to enable both the English and Irish placenames to be used. An example of present inconsistency is the village of [[Straffan]], designated variously as {{lang|ga|An Srafáin}}, {{lang|ga|An Cluainíní}} and {{lang|ga|Teach Strafáin}}. In the 1830s [[John O'Donovan (scholar)|John O'Donovan]] listed it as "Srufáin".<ref>Ordnance Survey Letters of County Kildare, co-authored by John O'Donovan.</ref> The nearby village of [[Kilteel]] was "Cill tSíle" for centuries, meaning "The church of Saint Síle", but since 2000 it has been shown as "Cill Chéile", which does not carry the same meaning.
[[Vehicle registration plates of the Republic of Ireland]] are bilingual: the county of registration is shown in Irish above the plate number as a kind of [[surtitle]], and is encoded from English within the plate number. For example, a Dublin plate is subtitled ''Baile Átha Cliath'' and the plate number includes '''D'''.
==Northern Ireland==
[[File:Bilingual welcome sign Newry.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Welcome sign at [[Newry]] – in Modern Irish the primary meaning of ''cathair'' is "[[city]]"]]
In [[Northern Ireland]], the new recognition of the [[Irish language in Northern Ireland|status of the Irish language]] does not extend to bilingual roadsigns – it is down to individual [[Districts of Northern Ireland|district councils]] to decide to place them. Some towns in [[Fermanagh and Omagh]], [[Derry City and Strabane]], [[Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon]], [[Moyle District Council|Moyle]], [[Magherafelt District Council|Magherafelt]], [[Newry, Mourne and Down]] and [[Cookstown District Council|Cookstown]] council areas display bilingual names on some welcome signs (e.g. "OMAGH" ''An Ómaigh'').{{update inline|date=December 2023}}
Irish-language street signs may be erected at the request of locals, provided there is enough support.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ballymoneytimes.co.uk/news/Legal-advice-over-Irish-street.6193846.jp|title='Legal advice' over Irish street signs|website=Balleymoneytimes.co.uk|access-date=15 January 2018}}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ballymoneytimes.co.uk/news/Unionists-defer-consideration-of-Irish.5438703.jp|title=Unionists defer consideration of Irish signs in Rasharkin|website=Balleymoneytimes.co.uk|access-date=15 January 2018|archive-date=15 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090715201632/http://www.ballymoneytimes.co.uk/news/Unionists-defer-consideration-of-Irish.5438703.jp|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Names of provinces==
There are four [[Provinces of Ireland|provinces]] in Ireland, three of which derive their [[English language|English]] name from a mixture of their ancient Irish provincial name with the Old Norse term for land/territory/place; ''staðr''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sisterfidelma.com/fidelma.html|title=SISTER FIDELMA MYSTERIES – FIDELMA'S WORLD|website=Sisterfidelma.com|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chaptersofdublin.com/books/General/clontarf.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023104414/http://www.chaptersofdublin.com/books/General/clontarf.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=23 October 2007|title=Loading...|website=Chaptersofdublin.com|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref>
*[[Connacht]], sometimes anglicised as '''Connaught''', is derived from the ''[[Connachta]]'' dynasty, which means "the descendants of Conn". In modern Irish it is called ''Connachta'' or ''Cúige Chonnacht''.
*[[Munster]], derived from {{langx|ga|Mumhan}} + [[Old Norse]] ''staðr'', meaning "land of [[Mumha]]". In modern Irish it is called ''an Mhumhain'' or ''Cúige Mumhan''.
*[[Leinster]], derived from {{langx|ga|Laighin}} + [[Old Norse]] ''staðr'', meaning "land of the [[Laigin|Laighin]]". In modern Irish it is called ''Laighin'' or ''Cúige Laighean''.
*[[Ulster]], derived from {{langx|ga|Ulaidh}} + [[Old Norse]] ''staðr'', meaning "land of the [[Ulaid]]h". In modern Irish it is called ''Ulaidh'' or ''Cúige Uladh''.
In Irish the provinces are known as ''cúigí'', the singular of which is ''cúige''. The word ''cúige'' originally meant "a fifth", as in one-fifth part of Ireland. This is because [[Kingdom of Mide|Meath]], as seat of the High King of Ireland, was once a province in its own right, incorporating modern counties Meath, Westmeath and parts of surrounding counties. Meath was later absorbed into Leinster.
==Names of counties==
{{See also|Counties of Ireland|Counties of Northern Ireland}}
In Irish, the counties are known as ''contaetha'', the singular of which is ''contae''. Irish versions of county names only have official status in the Republic of Ireland.
Most of the counties were named after a town in that county (commonly referred to as a [[county town]]); usually an administrative centre. Some of these towns, such as [[Louth, County Louth|Louth]], have declined into small villages or have lost their county town status to other towns.
Counties named after their present or former county towns: [[County Antrim|Antrim]], [[County Armagh|Armagh]], [[County Carlow|Carlow]], [[County Cavan|Cavan]], [[County Clare|Clare]], [[County Cork|Cork]], [[County Donegal|Donegal]], [[County Down|Down]], [[County Dublin|Dublin]], [[County Galway|Galway]], [[County Kildare|Kildare]], [[County Kilkenny|Kilkenny]], [[County Leitrim|Leitrim]], [[County Limerick|Limerick]], [[County Longford|Longford]], [[County Louth|Louth]], [[County Mayo|Mayo]], [[County Monaghan|Monaghan]], [[County Roscommon|Roscommon]], [[County Sligo|Sligo]], [[County Tipperary|Tipperary]], [[County Waterford|Waterford]], [[County Wexford|Wexford]], and [[County Wicklow|Wicklow]]. The county of [[County Londonderry|Londonderry]] is named after the [[Derry|city of the same name]], though its county town was [[Coleraine]] until 1972 when counties were abolished as administrative units in Northern Ireland and replaced with unitary councils.
Some counties derive their names from ancient Irish [[túath]]a, kingdoms or people:
*[[County Fermanagh|Fermanagh]], which is derived from ''Fear Manach'' meaning "men of Manach".
*[[County Kerry|Kerry]], which is derived from ''Ciarraí'', which is itself derived from ''Ciarraighe'', meaning "people of Ciar".
*[[County Laois|Laois]], which is derived from ''[[Loígis]]'', the name of a túath.
*[[County Meath|Meath]], which is derived from ''[[Kingdom of Mide|Mide]]'', the name of a former province.
*[[County Offaly|Offaly]], which is derived from ''[[Kingdom of Uí Failghe|Uí Failghe]]'', the name of a túath.
*[[County Tyrone|Tyrone]], which is derived from ''Tír Eógain'' meaning "[[Eógan mac Néill|Eógan]]'s land".
*[[County Westmeath|Westmeath]], which was formerly part of Meath [[Counties of Meath and Westmeath Act 1543|until 1542]], is likewise derived from ''Mide''.
Some counties derive their names from geographic descriptions
In 1994, County Dublin was abolished as an administrative unit and replaced with three new administrative counties:
*[[Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown]], which is named after the town of ''[[Dún Laoghaire]]'' (meaning "[[Laoghaire]]'s stronghold"); and the former [[barony (Ireland)|barony]] of Rathdown (''Ráth an Dúin'' in Irish, meaning "ringfort of the stronghold").
*[[Fingal]], which is derived from the Irish ''Fine Gall'', meaning "foreign tribe", referring to the [[Norsemen|Norse]] who invaded and settled the area.
*[[South Dublin]], which is named after Dublin.
==Names of streets and roads==
Many streets and roads in Ireland derive their name from that of the [[townland]], settlement or parish it goes through or heads towards, many of which are of Irish origin. Other streets and roads derive their names from local buildings, manufacturies or people etc.
In Irish, a ''street'' is ''[[wikt:sráid|sráid]]'', a ''road'' is ''[[wikt:bóthar|bóthar]]'' (meaning "cow path"), a ''lane'' is ''lána'', and an ''avenue'' is ''ascaill''. A [[linear village]] is called a ''sráidbhaile'' ("[one]-street settlement")—this has been anglicised as [[Stradbally]], which is the name of a number of villages on the island. Whilst Irish forms only have official status in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland district councils are allowed to erect bilingual roadsigns.
'''Origins of some streets and roads in [[Belfast]], Northern Ireland'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.libraryireland.com/Belfast-History/Origin-Street-Names.php|title=Origin of Belfast Street Names|website=Libraryireland.com|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref>
* [[Antrim Road]], takes its name from the settlement it leads to, [[Antrim, County Antrim|Antrim]] town.
* Ballymurphy Road, derives its name from the townland of Ballymurphy, which itself is derived from the {{langx|ga|Baile O Muircháin}}, meaning "homestead of O'Murphy".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulsterplacenames.org/PDF%20Files/West%20Belfast%20%28including%20parts%20of%20Lisburn%29%20%28C.%20Dunbar%29.pdf|title=Ulster Place Names – West Belfast|website=Ulsterplacenames.org|access-date=15 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102102800/http://www.ulsterplacenames.org/PDF%20Files/West%20Belfast%20(including%20parts%20of%20Lisburn)%20(C.%20Dunbar).pdf|archive-date=2 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Crumlin Road takes its name from the settlement the road leads to, [[Crumlin, County Antrim|Crumlin]].
* [[Donegall Square]] and [[Donegall Pass]], both named after Lord Donegall, who opened six wide avenues also known as passes.
* [[Falls Road (Belfast)|Falls Road]] was originally called the Pound, however, it derives its present name from an older Irish name ''Tuath-na-bhfal'', meaning "district of the falls" or "hedges".
* Hercules Street is named after Sir Hercules Langford.
* Mountpottinger and Pottinger's Lane both derive from the famous Pottinger family.
* Mustard Street is named after a mustard works.
* Old Forge and New Forge both derive their names from forges for smelting iron.
* [[Shankill Road]] derives its name from {{langx|ga|Seanchill}} meaning "old church", which is also the name of the local parish.
'''Origins of some streets and roads in [[Dublin]], Republic of Ireland'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fionasplace.net/AnIrishPatchwork/DublinStreetNames.html|title=Dublin Street Names|website=Fionasplace.net|access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref>
* [[O'Connell Street]], formerly known as Sackville Street, it was renamed after Daniel O'Connell. Its Irish name is ''Sráid Uí Chonaill''.
* [[Grafton Street]], developed by the Dawson family, it is named after the Earls of Grafton who owned land in the area. Its Irish name is ''Sráid Grafton''.
* [[Pearse Street]], originally called Moss Lane, then Great Brunswick Street, it was renamed after [[Pádraig Pearse]]. Its Irish name is ''Sráid an Phiarsaigh''
* St. [[James's Street, Dublin|James's Street]] takes its name from a Holy Well in the vicinity, dedicated to St James.{{fact|date=July 2025}}
==See also==
{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|
*[[Celtic onomastics]]
*[[Celtic toponymy]]
*[[Irish name]]
*[[List of towns and villages in the Republic of Ireland]] (includes cities, towns and villages only)
*[[List of places in Northern Ireland]] (includes cities, towns and villages only)
*[[List of longest placenames in Ireland]]
*[[List of Irish place names in other countries]]
*[[List of Irish exonyms]]
*[[Scottish toponymy]]
*[[Welsh toponymy]]
===Geographical toponymy===
*Place names in Ireland
**''[[Éire]]''
*[[Ireland]]
*[[List of islands of Ireland]]
*[[List of loughs of Ireland]]
*[[List of rivers of Ireland]]
*[[Lists of mountains in Ireland]]
===Political toponymy===
*[[Names of the Irish state]]
**[[Republic of Ireland]]
*[[Northern Ireland]]
* [[Provinces of Ireland]]
**[[Ulster]]
*[[Counties of Ireland]]
}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{Wiktionarycat|category=Ireland}}
* [http://www.logainm.ie/ Placenames Database of Ireland], Placenames Branch, [[Department of Culture, Communications and Sport]]
* [http://www.placenamesni.org/ PlacenamesNI.org], Northern Ireland Place-name Project
* [http://www.geographyinaction.co.uk/Townlands/PLandunits.html Placenames in the North of Ireland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913030503/http://www.geographyinaction.co.uk/Townlands/PLandunits.html |date=13 September 2009 }}, Geography in Action, website for the Northern Ireland Geography Curriculum
* ''The Origin and History of Irish Names of Places'' [https://archive.org/details/originhistoryofi01joycuoft Vol.1 (1912 ed.)] [https://archive.org/details/originhistoryof02joyc Vol.2 (1922 ed.)] [https://archive.org/details/originhistoryof02joyc Vol.3 (1922 ed.)] by P.W. Joyce, on the [[Internet Archive]]:
{{Ireland topics}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Place Names in Ireland}}
[[Category:Irish toponymy| ]]
[[Category:Celtic toponyms|Ireland]]
[[Category:Geography of Ireland]]
[[Category:Culture of Ireland]]
[[Category:Irish language]]
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