Names of Irish Cities: A Comprehensive Guide

Discover the rich history and vibrant culture of Ireland through its captivating cities. This comprehensive guide explores the names of major Irish cities, unveiling their fascinating origins and meanings. Whether you're planning a trip or simply seeking a deeper understanding of Irish heritage, delve into the stories behind these captivating urban landscapes.
1. **Dublin:** From the Irish "Dubh Linn" meaning "Black Pool," referring to the dark waters of the River Liffey.
2. **Cork:** Derived from the Irish "Corcaigh," meaning "marsh" or "swamp," referring to the marshlands on which the city was built.
3. **Galway:** From the Irish "Gaillimh," meaning "rocky" or "stony," describing the rugged coastline of the area.
4. **Limerick:** From the Irish "Luimneach," meaning "place of the salmon," referring to the abundance of salmon in the River Shannon.
5. **Waterford:** From the Irish "Port Láirge," meaning "Lar's harbour," referring to a Viking king named Lar.
6. **Belfast:** From the Irish "Béal Feirste," meaning "mouth of the sand ford," describing the location where the River Lagan meets the sea.
7. **Derry/Londonderry:** A controversial name, "Derry" is the Irish name derived from "Doire Cholm Cille," meaning "Oakwood of Colm Cille," referring to a monastery founded by Saint Colmcille. "Londonderry" is the anglicised name, reflecting the city's history under English rule.
8. **Sligo:** From the Irish "Sligeach," meaning "muddy place" or "shell place," referring to the location's proximity to the sea.
9. **Kilkenny:** From the Irish "Cill Chainnigh," meaning "church of Canice," referring to a monastery established by Saint Canice.
10. **Dundalk:** From the Irish "Dún Dealgan," meaning "fort of the forked oak," referring to a historical fort in the area.
11. **Wexford:** From the Irish "Baile Átha Cliath," meaning "town of the ford of the hurdles," referring to a ford over the River Slaney.
12. **Drogheda:** From the Irish "Droichead Átha," meaning "bridge of the ford," referring to a bridge over the River Boyne.
13. **Tralee:** From the Irish "Trá Lí," meaning "strand of the Lee," referring to the beach on the shores of Tralee Bay.
14. **Killarney:** From the Irish "Cill Airne," meaning "church of the yew," referring to a monastery founded by Saint Finnian.
15. **Athlone:** From the Irish "Baile Átha Luain," meaning "town of the ford of Luan," referring to a ford over the River Shannon.
16. **Carlow:** From the Irish "Ceatharlach," meaning "fortified place," referring to a historical fort in the area.
17. **Newry:** From the Irish "An Iúr," meaning "the yew," referring to a yew tree in the area.
18. **Letterkenny:** From the Irish "Leitir Ceanainn," meaning "hill of Canann," referring to a hill where a monastery was established.
19. **Dundalk:** From the Irish "Dún Dealgan," meaning "fort of the forked oak," referring to a historical fort in the area.
20. **Swords:** From the Irish "Sord Cholm Chille," meaning "ford of Colm Cille," referring to a ford over the River Tolka.
21. **Bray:** From the Irish "Bré," meaning "hill" or "high place," referring to the location's hilly terrain.
22. **Ennis:** From the Irish "Inis," meaning "island," referring to the location's position on an island in the River Fergus.
23. **Tullamore:** From the Irish "Baile Átha Troim," meaning "town of the ford of the thorn," referring to a ford over the River Brosna.
24. **Clonmel:** From the Irish "Cluain Meala," meaning "meadow of honey," referring to the fertile lands surrounding the town.
25. **Navan:** From the Irish "An Uaimh," meaning "the cave," referring to a cave in the area.
26. **Portlaoise:** From the Irish "Port Laois," meaning "Laois's harbour," referring to a local chieftain named Laois.
27. **Waterford:** From the Irish "Port Láirge," meaning "Lar's harbour," referring to a Viking king named Lar.
28. **Wexford:** From the Irish "Baile Átha Cliath," meaning "town of the ford of the hurdles," referring to a ford over the River Slaney.
29. **Carrick-on-Shannon:** From the Irish "Carraig Uí Shéain," meaning "rock of the sons of Sean," referring to a rock on the shore of Lough Allen.
30. **Longford:** From the Irish "An Longfort," meaning "the long fort," referring to a historical fort in the area.
31. **Mullingar:** From the Irish "An Muileann Ghar," meaning "the mill of the weir," referring to a mill on the River Brosna.
32. **Monaghan:** From the Irish "Muineachán," meaning "a little bog," referring to a bog near the town.
33. **Cavan:** From the Irish "An Cabhán," meaning "the hollow," referring to a hollow in the ground.
34. **Donegal:** From the Irish "Dún na nGall," meaning "fort of the foreigners," referring to the historical presence of Vikings in the area.
35. **Loughrea:** From the Irish "Loch Riach," meaning "grey lake," referring to the lake on which the town is situated.
36. **Roscommon:** From the Irish "Ros Comáin," meaning "wood of Comán," referring to a forest in the area.
37. **Ballina:** From the Irish "Baile Átha na Sléibhe," meaning "town of the ford of the mountains," referring to a ford over the River Moy.
38. **Sligo:** From the Irish "Sligeach," meaning "muddy place" or "shell place," referring to the location's proximity to the sea.
39. **Dungannon:** From the Irish "Dún Geanann," meaning "fort of the little plain," referring to a historical fort in the area.
40. **Newbridge:** From the Irish "Droichead Nua," meaning "new bridge," referring to a bridge over the River Liffey.
41. **Westport:** From the Irish "An Caisleán Nua," meaning "the new castle," referring to a castle built in the town.
42. **Trim:** From the Irish "Baile Átha Troim," meaning "town of the ford of the thorn," referring to a ford over the River Boyne.
43. **Youghal:** From the Irish "Eochaill," meaning "yew," referring to a yew tree in the area.
44. **Kilrush:** From the Irish "Cill Ruise," meaning "church of Rus," referring to a monastery founded by Saint Rus.
45. **Dingle:** From the Irish "Daingean Uí Chúisín," meaning "fort of the O'Cousins," referring to a fort built by the O'Cousins clan.
46. **Kinsale:** From the Irish "Cionn tSáile," meaning "head of the salt," referring to the salt water estuary on which the town is situated.
47. **Cobh:** From the Irish "An Cóbh," meaning "the cove," referring to the sheltered harbour on which the town is situated.
48. **Bantry:** From the Irish "Baile an tSratha," meaning "town of the stream," referring to the stream on which the town is situated.
49. **Skibbereen:** From the Irish "An Sciobhreán," meaning "the little river," referring to the river on which the town is situated.
50. **Ballycastle:** From the Irish "Baile Átha Chaisleáin," meaning "town of the ford of the castle," referring to a ford over the River Bush.