Many place names in Ireland in the English language are either anglicisations of those in the Irish language, or completely different, such as the name for the capital of the Republic of Ireland, which in English is Dublin, but in Irish is Baile Átha Cliath. After the foundation of the Irish Free State in 1922, some names were changed including Kingstown in County Dublin, which became Dún Laoghaire (pronounced 'dun leary' by English speakers, and 'doon leareh' by Irish speakers) and Queenstown in County Cork which became Cóbh (pronounced 'cove'). King's County and Queen's County were renamed County Laois and County Offaly in 1921.
In the Republic, both Irish and English names have equal status and are displayed on road and signs, although postmarks are only in Irish. In Northern Ireland, the Irish language has had no official recognition, so Irish language place names are not widely recognised.
Etymology
Common words found in Irish place names include:
Ard- ard - high
Bally- 'baile' - town'
Bel- béal - 'mouth'
Kil- cill - church
Carry- carraig - 'rock'
Dun- dún - 'fort'
Glas- glas - 'green'
Names of Provinces
The four Provinces (Cúige in Irish) are known as:
The name cúige originally meant 'fifth', as in a fifth-part of something, and comes from the fact that Meath was at one stage a province of its own, as the seat of the High King of Ireland. Meath was later absorbed into Leinster.
Names of Counties
The 32 counties of Ireland contae are known as:
- County Antrim - Aontroim
- County Armagh - Ard Mhacha
- County Carlow - Ceatharlach
- County Cavan - Cabhán
- County Clare - Clár
- County Cork - Corcaigh
- County Derry - Doire (Derry city Doire Cholm Cille)
- County Donegal - Tír Chonaill (Donegal town - Dun na nGall)
- County Down - An Dún
- County Dublin - Áth Cliath (originally Dubh Linn)
- County Fermanagh - Fear Manach
- County Galway - Gaillimh
- County Kerry - Ciarraí
- County Kildare - Cill Dára
- County Kilkenny - Cill Channaigh
- County Laois - Laois
- County Leitrim - Liatroim
- County Limerick - Luimneach
- County Longford - Longfort
- County Louth - Lú (originally Luth)
- County Mayo - Maigh Eó
- County Meath - Mí
- County Monaghan Muineachán
- County Offaly - Úi Bhfailli'
- County Roscommon Ros Comáin
- County Sligo - Sligeach
- County Tipperary - Tiobraid Árann
- County Tyrone - Tir Eoghain
- County Waterford - Port Láirge
- County Westmeath - An Iarmhí
- County Wexford - Loch gCarman
- County Wicklow - Cill Mhantáin
Names of Cities and Towns
- Abbeyleix - Mainistir Laoise
- Ardee - Baile Átha Fhirdhia
- Arklow - An tInbhear Mór
- Ballina - Béal an Átha
- Bangor - Beannchar
- Belfast - Béal Feirste
- Belmullet - Béal an Mhuirthead
- Blackrock - Carraig Dubh
- Carrantuohill - Carn an Tuathail
- Carrickfergus - Carraig Fhearghusa
- Castlederg - Caislean Dearg
- Clifden - An Clochán
- Connemara - Conamara
- Dalkey - Deilginis
- Drogheda - Droichead Átha
- Dundalk - Dun Dealgan
- Fermoy - Mainistir Fhear Mai
- Glasnevin - Glas Naíon
- Kilmainham - Cill Mhaighneáin
- Killarney - Cill Arne
- Kylemore Abbey - Mainistir na Coille Móire
- Lisdoonvarna - Lios Dún Bhearna
- Milltown Malbay - Sráid na Cathrach
- Newtownabbey - Baile Nua Mainistreach
- Newtownards - Baile Nua na hAirde
- Westport - Cathair na Mart
Names of Streets
- Shankill Road - Bóthar na Seanchille
- Falls Road - Bóthar na bhFál
- O'Connell Street - Sraid Úi Chonaill