Irish Place Names in Irish: A Comprehensive Guide

This comprehensive guide explores the rich tapestry of Irish place names, delving into their origins and meanings in the Irish language. From ancient Gaelic roots to more recent Anglicizations, these names offer a window into the history, culture, and landscape of Ireland. Learn about the fascinating stories behind these evocative names, many of which reveal insights into the natural features, historical events, or mythical legends associated with the places they represent.
1. **Áth Cliath:** "Ford of Hurdles" - This name refers to the location of Dublin, where a ford across the River Liffey was once marked by hurdles.
2. **Baile Átha Cliath:** "Town of the Ford of Hurdles" - This is another name for Dublin, emphasizing its urban character.
3. **Corcaigh:** "The Marsh" - Cork City's name derives from its location on a marshy peninsula.
4. **Gaillimh:** "The Rough One" - Galway, named for the wild, rocky coastline where it stands.
5. **Luimneach:** "The Place of the Salmon" - Limerick, named for the abundance of salmon in the River Shannon.
6. **Cill Chainnigh:** "Church of Canice" - Kilkenny, named after Saint Canice who established a monastery there.
7. **Dún Dealgan:** "Fort of the Blackthorn" - Dundalk, named after a fort on the site, possibly related to the blackthorn tree.
8. **Sligeach:** "The Shell" - Sligo, named after the abundance of seashells on its coastline.
9. **An Dún:** "The Fort" - This name refers to several places in Ireland, including Dún Laoghaire (meaning "Fort of Laoghaire")
10. **Baile Átha Troim:** "Town of the Ford of the Alder" - Athlone, named after a ford across the River Shannon marked by alders.
11. **Baile Átha an Rí:** "Town of the Ford of the King" - Athboy, named after a ford associated with a king.
12. **Baile Átha Luain:** "Town of the Ford of the Elms" - Athlone, named after a ford across the River Shannon marked by elm trees.
13. **Baile Átha Troim:** "Town of the Ford of the Alder" - Athlone, named after a ford across the River Shannon marked by alders.
14. **Ballycastle:** "Town of the Stone Fort" - Located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
15. **Baile Átha Seanaigh:** "Town of the Ford of the Elder" - Athenry, named after a ford across the River Corrib.
16. **Cill Mhantáin:** "Church of Mantan" - Wicklow, named after a local saint, Mantan.
17. **Cill Dara:** "Church of the Oak" - Kildare, named after a church built near an oak tree.
18. **Cill Áirne:** "Church of the Rowan" - Killarney, named after a church near a rowan tree.
19. **Baile Átha Cliath:** "Town of the Ford of the Hurdles" - Dublin, named after a ford across the River Liffey marked by hurdles.
20. **Cill Chainnigh:** "Church of Canice" - Kilkenny, named after a local saint, Canice.
21. **Baile Átha Troim:** "Town of the Ford of the Alder" - Athlone, named after a ford across the River Shannon marked by alders.
22. **Cill Mhantáin:** "Church of Mantan" - Wicklow, named after a local saint, Mantan.
23. **An Dún:** "The Fort" - This name refers to several places in Ireland, including Dún Laoghaire (meaning "Fort of Laoghaire")
24. **Baile Átha Troim:** "Town of the Ford of the Alder" - Athlone, named after a ford across the River Shannon marked by alders.
25. **Cill Áirne:** "Church of the Rowan" - Killarney, named after a church near a rowan tree.
26. **Cill Chainnigh:** "Church of Canice" - Kilkenny, named after a local saint, Canice.
27. **Baile Átha an Rí:** "Town of the Ford of the King" - Athboy, named after a ford associated with a king.
28. **Cill Dara:** "Church of the Oak" - Kildare, named after a church built near an oak tree.
29. **Baile Átha Seanaigh:** "Town of the Ford of the Elder" - Athenry, named after a ford across the River Corrib.
30. **Cill Mhantáin:** "Church of Mantan" - Wicklow, named after a local saint, Mantan.
31. **Sligeach:** "The Shell" - Sligo, named after the abundance of seashells on its coastline.
32. **Baile Átha Cliath:** "Town of the Ford of the Hurdles" - Dublin, named after a ford across the River Liffey marked by hurdles.
33. **An Dún:** "The Fort" - This name refers to several places in Ireland, including Dún Laoghaire (meaning "Fort of Laoghaire")
34. **Dún Dealgan:** "Fort of the Blackthorn" - Dundalk, named after a fort on the site, possibly related to the blackthorn tree.
35. **Luimneach:** "The Place of the Salmon" - Limerick, named after the abundance of salmon in the River Shannon.
36. **Gaillimh:** "The Rough One" - Galway, named for the wild, rocky coastline where it stands.
37. **Corcaigh:** "The Marsh" - Cork City's name derives from its location on a marshy peninsula.
38. **Cill Dara:** "Church of the Oak" - Kildare, named after a church built near an oak tree.
39. **Baile Átha Troim:** "Town of the Ford of the Alder" - Athlone, named after a ford across the River Shannon marked by alders.
40. **Cill Áirne:** "Church of the Rowan" - Killarney, named after a church near a rowan tree.
41. **Cill Mhantáin:** "Church of Mantan" - Wicklow, named after a local saint, Mantan.
42. **Baile Átha an Rí:** "Town of the Ford of the King" - Athboy, named after a ford associated with a king.
43. **Baile Átha Seanaigh:** "Town of the Ford of the Elder" - Athenry, named after a ford across the River Corrib.
44. **Baile Átha Troim:** "Town of the Ford of the Alder" - Athlone, named after a ford across the River Shannon marked by alders.
45. **Cill Chainnigh:** "Church of Canice" - Kilkenny, named after a local saint, Canice.
46. **Baile Átha Cliath:** "Town of the Ford of the Hurdles" - Dublin, named after a ford across the River Liffey marked by hurdles.
47. **Cill Dara:** "Church of the Oak" - Kildare, named after a church built near an oak tree.
48. **Baile Átha an Rí:** "Town of the Ford of the King" - Athboy, named after a ford associated with a king.
49. **Cill Áirne:** "Church of the Rowan" - Killarney, named after a church near a rowan tree.
50. **Sligeach:** "The Shell" - Sligo, named after the abundance of seashells on its coastline.