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Place names in Irish

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 'dunleary' by English speakers, and 'doonlairah' 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.

The name of Ireland itself comes from the Irish name, Éire, affixed to the Germanic root, '-land'. According to mythology, Éire was an ancient Celtic princess.

Table of contents
1 Etymology
2 Names of Provinces
3 Names of Counties
4 Names of Cities and Towns
5 Names of Streets

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 (cúigí - singlar: cúige) are known as:

The word cúige originally meant 'a fifth', as in the fifth part of something, and comes from the fact that Meath, as seat of the High King of Ireland, was once a province in its own right. Meath was later absorbed into Leinster.

Names of Counties

The 32 counties (contaetha - singular: contae) of Ireland are known as:

Names of Cities and Towns

Names of Streets