Irish toponyms of Dublin, with their literal English translations.

17 comments
  1. The English place name ‘Howth’ is of Scandinavian origin, and dates from approximately the 9th century. It comes from the Norse word ‘Hoved’ meaning headland, reflecting its significance on the otherwise low coastline of North Dublin and Meath. The derivation of the much older Gaelic name for the peninsula, ‘Binn Éadair’, which loosely translates to ‘the Hill(s) of Éadair’ in English, is less certain. The name Éadair has variously been suggested as a corruption of Etar, a Firbolg chieftain, or Edar, a Dé Danann chieftain’s wife, or perhaps Binn Éadair is a corruption of Ben-na-Dair translated as Hill of the Oaks.

  2. Anyone know what’s the origin of Merrion, like Merrion Square/Gates etc.? It’s given as M(h)uirfean in Irish which I don’t recognise, is it like Marian, something pertaining to Mary?

  3. There’s Ship Street and Little Ship Street beside Dublin Castle, their names in Irish are Sráid na gCaorach and Sráidín beag na gCaorach which when translated are Sheep Street an Little Sheep Street.

    Somebody didn’t quite understand the difference.

  4. Just wonder about the toponym for Kimmage.. translation says winding river “camaigh” meaning Kimmage. However, camaigh surely is the Camac river, that rises near brittas co Dublin, flows through Newcastle, clondalkin ,inchicore and enters the liffey at Heuston station. The river in Kimmage ( flows through mount argus, towards Harolds Cross) is the Poddle..

  5. Jaysus, Tallaght. I mean, not entirely wrong but there are some places there that are nice. And I’m not only talking about Firhouse (which is Tallaght, despite what they wish).

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