Irish placenames and folklore

A talk on Irish townland names and their meanings takes place this Thursday (March 6) in Johnston Central Library.

In line with Seachtain na Gaeilge, Seán Ó hUltacháin will discuss his research on the Irish names of all 2000 Cavan townlands and on the folklore of the county.

“I spent a good few weeks over the past few years studying the Irish placenames in Cavan, specifically the townlands,” he said.

While undertaking this research, Seán discovered a good few important legends about how well-known placenames in the county got their name from mythological sources. For example the Gap of Glangevlin was formed by Glas Gaibhleann, a well known mythological cow.

“I came across stories that relate to how lakes and rivers, mountains and things like that have gotten their names and the folklore stories related to them as well.”

He will also speak on the Irish names of the town in the county including the meaning behind the ‘Breifne’ county name.

After the event, Seán said he is happy to share the research with whoever would like to see it.

A member of Gaeilge an Chabháin, a new group setting out to promote Gaeilge in the county, Seán hopes to change the fact that Cavan has the lowest number of daily speakers of Irish, according to the latest Census.

“The reason I promote Irish as much as I can is to give people little hooks that they can find their way into learning the language as well.

“Everyone knows the place names of county but it will be interesting to give people the Irish names of them and it will be a little hook for them to take an interest in the language,” he adds.

The event will take place on Thursday, March 6, at 7pm and will be delivered in English.

“It’s a free event and if you ever wondered about the meaning of the Irish names of places in the county, come along,” he encouraged.