Toponymy resources

Dinnseanchas: volume I (numbers 1–4)

An Cumann Logainmeacha, 1964–1965

Dinnseanchas: volume II (numbers 1–4)

An Cumann Logainmeacha, 1966–1967

Dinnseanchas: volume III (numbers 1–4)

An Cumann Logainmeacha, 1968–1969

Dinnseanchas: volume IV (numbers 1–4)

An Cumann Logainmeacha, 1970–1971

Dinnseanchas: volume V (numbers 1–4)

An Cumann Logainmeacha, 1972–1973

Dinnseanchas: volume VI (numbers 1–4)

An Cumann Logainmeacha, 1974–1977

The Placenames Database of Ireland and its local and family history benefits

Pádraig Ó Cearbhaill © (lecture)
Back to our past, RDS, Dublin, 2013

Sráidainmneacha Bhaile Átha Cliath Theas (Irish version)

Pádraig Ó Cearbhaill (assisted by Sara Ní Chonchúir) ©
Published in Logainmneacha agus Sráidainmneacha Bhaile Átha Cliath Theas, (2008) Comhairle Contae Átha Cliath Theas

South Dublin Streetnames (English version)

Pádraig Ó Cearbhaill (assisted by Sara Ní Chonchúir) ©
Published in Logainmneacha agus Sráidainmneacha Bhaile Átha Cliath Theas, (2008) Comhairle Contae Átha Cliath Theas

Sráidainmneacha agus Logainmneacha DLR (Irish version)

DLR Streetnames and Placenames (English version)

Logainmneacha agus Sráidainmneacha Bhaile Átha Cliath Theas (Irish version)

South Dublin Placenames and Streetnames (English version)

Sráidainmneacha: Treoirlínte (Irish Version)

Streetnames: Guidelines (English version)

Dublin Street Names: Dated and Explained

Chistopher Teeling M’Cready, Dublin Street Names: Dated and Explained (Hodges, Figgis, and Co., Dublin, 1892).

Ár dTimpeallacht Logainmneacha: Inniu agus Amárach

An introduction to placenames by Liam Mac Mathúna, published 1990. © Liam Mac Mathúna

Placenames Policy and its Implementation

Dónall Mac Giolla Easpaig ©
Published in A New View of the Irish Language, (2008) Nic Pháidín, C. & Ó Cearnaigh, S., eds. Cois Life, pp 164-177

Researching the placenames of Co. Clare: methodology, sources, restoration

Pádraig Ó Cearbhaill ©
Published in Changing Names: The dynamic world of Irish placenames and their meanings, (2005) d’Auria, L. & O’Flaherty, E., eds. Coiste Logainmneacha an Chláir, lch 53-74

Logainmneacha na hÉireann: Cá bhfuil a dtriall?

Pádraig Ó Cearbhaill © (lecture)
Merriman Summer School, 2003

Dublin, the history of the placename

Ireland’s heritage of geographical names

Dónall Mac Giolla Easpaig
Published in Geographical Names as a Part of the Cultural Heritage, (2009) Wiener Schriften zur Geographie und Kartographie, vol. 18, pp. 79-85

A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland

Samuel Lewis, A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, comprising the several counties, cities, boroughs, corporate, market, and post towns, parishes and villages, 2 volumes. (S. Lewis & Co., London, 1837). PDF containing the main text of volumes I and II.

Introduction to Logainmneacha na hÉireann I: Contae Luimnigh

Art Ó Maolfabhail
Published in Logainmneacha na hÉireann I: Contae Luimnigh, (1990)

Logainmneacha as Paróiste na Rinne, Co. Phort Láirge

An Cumann Logainmneacha. 1975.

Treoirleabhrán d'Údaráis Áitiúla faoi ghnáthú na Gaeilge (Irish version)

A Guide for Local Authorities on the use of Irish (English version)

Placenames Workshop 2012: Management and dissemination of toponymic data online.

Nic Lochlainn, Mairéad and Ó Raghallaigh, Brian (eds.) (2012). Dublin: Fiontar, DCU

The Place-Names of Decies

Power, Patrick, The Place-Names of Decies (Nutt, London, 1907). Internet Archive.

Gastro-Topography: Exploring Food-Related Placenames in Ireland

Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire and CJIS ©
Published in Canadian Journal of Irish Studies, Vol. 38, Nos. 1+2 (2014)

The Anglicisation of Irish Placenames

Éamonn de hÓir
Published in Onoma XVII (1972–1973), pp. 192–204

John O'Donovan's manuscript

This manuscript is classified as ‘Glossary, Irish Topog[raphical] Dict[ionary]’ on the spine of its bound cover and also on an insertion written in ink which is pasted in one of the blank pages to the front. ‘Ordnance Survey of Ireland’ is also printed on the spine of the cover. In all probability the manuscript was written in its entirety by John O’Donovan while employed by the Ordnance Survey.

O’Donovan began his employment with the Ordnance Survey on 28 October 1830. The second section of the manuscript was written less than two months later. Another contempory date in the manuscript is a letter dated Jan[uar]y? 15, 1832 by Myles John O’Reilly to O’Donovan which has been attached to the back page. O’Donovan transcribed various entries from Sanas Cormaic (or Cormac’s Glossary) in the blank spaces of the letter and the same entries are included in the third section of the manuscript. There is also a further small sheet of paper attached to the back page and headed, in O’Donovan’s hand, ‘Topographical words extracted from an Irish song’.

The contents of the manuscript, which is unpaginated, are as follows:

A glossary in alphabetical order of various Anglicised placename elements, followed by their Irish forms and a translation. A fair copy of a manuscript compiled and written by John O’Donovan in November and December 1830 -- see A. Ó Maolfabhail, ‘An tSuirbhéireacht Ordanáis agus Logainmneacha na hÉireann 1824-34’, PRIA 89 C 3 (1989).
‘Derivation of all the names of places in Lanigan’s Ecclesiastical History of Ireland [four volumes, 1822] as given by himself, by Vallancey and others with remarks by J. O’Donovan. December 23, 1830’.
‘A list of Irish words that enter into the composition of many names of places in Ireland’. The Irish words are followed by a translation and generally by relevant examples from placenames. Some personal names and surnames are also included. The date ‘Nov[embe]r 26th 1831’ is recorded in the text.
‘A list of saints’ names to whom Irish church[es] were dedicated’. This short list is on the final verso page and includes toponymic examples of the saints’ names.

John O'Donovan's manuscript

The pages of John O’Donovan’s manuscript (see above) as a zipped archive of high-resolution images.

Struchtúr riaracháin na tíre (Irish version)

The country's administrative structure (English version)

Ancient map of Ireland, A.D. 1572

‘Ancient map of Ireland, A.D. 1572, printed from the original copper discovered in Armagh ...’ (printed by Forster & Co., Dublin).

Map of Ireland, TCD MS 1209/1

Éire 1:500,000

Éire 1:500,000. ‘[Place]names were established in consultation with Fiachra Éilgeach and Fr. Paul Walsh’ (1938).

Éire 1:575,000

Éire 1:575,000. Compiled and printed by the Ordnance Survey (Dublin, 1970).

Diagram of the map series at scale six inches to one mile (1:10,560).

Diagram of the map series at scale six inches to one mile (1:10,560). (Dublin 1962; Prepared and printed by the Ordnance Survey).

"Geographia" Bi-Lingual Map of Éire and Northern Ireland

“Geographia” Bi-Lingual Map of Éire and Northern Ireland. Scale: 6 inches to one mile (1:10,560). Published at the time of the Irish Free State (1922-37).

Contents of Volume I.

Charts of the South Coast of Ireland

A General Chart of the South Coast of Ireland, from Wexford to Kenmare River

Charts of the South Coast of Ireland

The South East Coast of Ireland, from Wexford to Waterford

Charts of the South Coast of Ireland

The South Coast of Ireland, from Waterford to Youghal

Charts of the South Coast of Ireland

The South Coast of Ireland, from Cable Island to Gally Head

Charts of the South Coast of Ireland

The South Coast of Ireland, from Gally Head to Cape Clear Island

Charts of the West Coast of Ireland

A General Draught of the West Coast of Ireland, from Dursey I. to Tory I.

Charts of the West Coast of Ireland

The South West Coast of Ireland from Dursey Island to Valentia Harbour

Charts of the West Coast of Ireland

The West Coast of Ireland, from Valentia I. to the Mouth of the Shannon

Charts of the West Coast of Ireland

The River Shannon in Ireland

Charts of the West Coast of Ireland

The West Coast of Ireland, from the Shannon to the South Isles of Arran

Charts of the West Coast of Ireland

Galway Bay on the West Coast of Ireland

Charts of the West Coast of Ireland

The West Coast of Ireland, from South Arran I. to High-Island

Charts of the West Coast of Ireland

The West Coast of Ireland, from Slyne Head to Achil Head

Charts of the West Coast of Ireland

The West Coast of Ireland, from Achil I. to the Staggs of Broad Haven

Charts of the West Coast of Ireland

The West Coast of Ireland, from the Staggs of Broad Haven to Kilalla Bay

Charts of the West Coast of Ireland

Sligo Bay and the Mouth of Donegal Bay on the West Coast of Ireland

Charts of the West Coast of Ireland

Donegal Bay on the West Coast of Ireland

Charts of the West Coast of Ireland

The North West Coast of Ireland, from Tillen Head to Tory Island

Charts of the North Coast of Ireland

A General Draught of the North Coast of Ireland with the adjacent coast of Scotland

Charts of the North Coast of Ireland

The North West Coast of Ireland, from Tory I. to Inishterhol Island

Charts of the North Coast of Ireland

The North Coast of Ireland, from Malin Head to Rachlin Island

Charts of the East Coast of Ireland

The South-East Coast of Ireland from Tusker to Wicklow Head

Charts of the East Coast of Ireland

The East Coast of Ireland, from Wicklow Head to the Skerries

Charts of the East Coast of Ireland

The East Coast of Ireland from Rush to St. John’s Point

Charts of the East Coast of Ireland

The East Coast of Ireland, from St. John’s Point to Larn

Charts of the East Coast of Ireland

The Coast of Ireland, near Belfast Loch; with the opposite Coast of Scotland

Charts of the East Coast of Ireland

The North East Coast of Ireland, from Larn to Rachlin Island; with part of Cantire in Scotland

Views of the West Coast of Ireland taken at Sea

Continued Views of the West Coast of Ireland from Glenegad Head near Derry to Kinfale taken at Sea

The provence of Ulster, Francis Jobson (1590), TCD MS 1209/15

A generalle description of Ulster

A generalle description of Ulster, Richard Bartlett (1602-3); facsimile [of Public Record Office, London MPF 1/35] published by Ordnance Survey, Southampton (1861).

North-east boundaries

Boundaries of Administrative Counties, Co. Boroughs, Urban & Dispensary Districts & District Electoral Divisions; north-east sheet (Dublin 1962; 1st. published by the Ordnance Survey, 1935; partly revised 1961).

North-west boundaries

Boundaries of Administrative Counties, Co. Boroughs, Urban & Dispensary Districts & District Electoral Divisions; north-west sheet (Dublin 1962; 1st. published by the Ordnance Survey, 1935; revised 1961).

South-east boundaries

Boundaries of Administrative Counties, Co. Boroughs, Urban & Dispensary Districts & District Electoral Divisions; south-east sheet (Dublin 1962; 1st. published by the Ordnance Survey, 1935; revised 1961).

South-west boundaries

Boundaries of Administrative Counties, Co. Boroughs, Urban & Dispensary Districts & District Electoral Divisions; south-west sheet (Dublin 1962; 1st. published by the Ordnance Survey, 1935; revised 1961).

Boundary sketch map, part of Co. Monaghan

Sketch map of the Parish of Errigle, Barony’s of Trough and Clougher, County’s of Monaghan and Tyrone. Dated 1828.

Letter regarding boundary sketch map, part of Co. Monaghan

Boundary sketch map, part of Co. Wexford

Ordnance Survey of Ireland Boundary Department: A district sketch map of the Parishes of St. John’s, Selskar, St. Iberius, St Doolough’s, St Patrick’s, St. Peter’s, St Mary’s and St. Michael’s of Feagh, Barony of Forth and County of Wexford. Dated at Enniscorthy, 27 April 1838.

A map of the county of Armagh, sheet 1 [north]

A topographical map of the county of Armagh by John Rocque; 2 sheets (published by R. Laurie & J. Whittle, London, 1760).

A map of the county of Armagh, sheet 2 [south]

A topographical map of the county of Armagh by John Rocque; 2 sheets (published by R. Laurie & J. Whittle, London, 1760).

A map of the county of Carlow

A map of the county of Carlow (published by William Allen, Dublin, 1824).

Map of county Kildare, [South]

Map of county Kildare, J. Noble & J. Keenan; 2 sheets (D. Pomarede, Dublin, 1752).

Map of county Kildare, [North]

Map of county Kildare, J. Noble & J. Keenan; 2 sheets (D. Pomarede, Dublin, 1752).

The county of Clare, sheet 1 [north-west coast, Aran Islands]

The county of Clare, surveyed and drawn by Henry Pelham; 6 sheets (1787).

The county of Clare, sheet 2 [north, Galway Bay]

The county of Clare, surveyed and drawn by Henry Pelham; 6 sheets (1787).

The county of Clare, sheet 3 [north-east]

The county of Clare, surveyed and drawn by Henry Pelham; 6 sheets (1787).

The county of Clare, sheet 4 [south-west]

The county of Clare, surveyed and drawn by Henry Pelham; 6 sheets (1787).

The county of Clare, sheet 5 [mid-west]

The county of Clare, surveyed and drawn by Henry Pelham; 6 sheets (1787).

The county of Clare, sheet 6 [south-east]

The county of Clare, surveyed and drawn by Henry Pelham; 6 sheets (1787).

Plan of the city and suburbs of Cork

Plan of the city and suburbs of Cork, surveyed and drawn by Thomas Holt 1832 (Cork, 1833).

A coastal map

A coastal map of counties Donegal (part of), Fermanagh, Sligo and Mayo (part of) (1602-3), Richard Bartlett; facsimile [of Public Record Office, London MPF 1/37] published by Ordnance Survey, Southampton (1861).

A map of the county of Donegal, sheet 1 [north-west]

A map of the county of Donegal, drawn from actual survey by William McCrea 1796; 4 sheets (1801).

A map of the county of Donegal, sheet 2 [thoir thuaidh]

A map of the county of Donegal, drawn from actual survey by William McCrea 1796; 4 sheets (1801).

A map of the county of Donegal, sheet 3 [south-west]

A map of the county of Donegal, drawn from actual survey by William McCrea 1796; 4 sheets (1801).

A map of the county of Donegal, sheet 4 [south-east]

A map of the county of Donegal, drawn from actual survey by William McCrea 1796; 4 sheets (1801).

A coastal map

A coastal map of counties Donegal (part of), Fermanagh, Sligo and Mayo (part of) (1602-3), Richard Bartlett; facsimile [of Public Record Office, London MPF 1/37] published by Ordnance Survey, Southampton (1861).

Index to the Townland Survey of the County of Fermanagh

Index to the Townland Survey of the County of Fermanagh. (Engraved at the Ordnance Survey Office Phoenix Park, 1835, revised in 1862).

A map of the county of Galway, sheet 1

A map of the county of Galway by William Larkin; 16 sheets (engraved by S. J. Neele, London, 1819).

A map of the county of Galway, sheet 2 [‘A table shewing the distance in miles and furlongs between each town and village in the county of Galway’.]

A map of the county of Galway by William Larkin; 16 sheets (engraved by S. J. Neele, London, 1819).

A map of the county of Galway, sheet 3 [north-west: Clifden, Killary Harbour]

A map of the county of Galway by William Larkin; 16 sheets (engraved by S. J. Neele, London, 1819).

A map of the county of Galway, sheet 4 [north-west: Lough Mask, Cong, Leenaun]

A map of the county of Galway by William Larkin; 16 sheets (engraved by S. J. Neele, London, 1819).

A map of the county of Galway, sheet 5 [north-east: Dunmore, Tuam]

A map of the county of Galway by William Larkin; 16 sheets (engraved by S. J. Neele, London, 1819).

A map of the county of Galway, sheet 6 [north-east: Ballymoe, Glennamaddy]

A map of the county of Galway by William Larkin; 16 sheets (engraved by S. J. Neele, London, 1819).

A map of the county of Galway, sheet 7 [west: Carna, Roundstone]

A map of the county of Galway by William Larkin; 16 sheets (engraved by S. J. Neele, London, 1819).

A map of the county of Galway, sheet 8 [west: Leitir Móir, Oughterard]

A map of the county of Galway by William Larkin; 16 sheets (engraved by S. J. Neele, London, 1819).

A map of the county of Galway, sheet 9 [centre: Athenry, Headford, Monivea]

A map of the county of Galway by William Larkin; 16 sheets (engraved by S. J. Neele, London, 1819).

A map of the county of Galway, sheet 10 [east: Ahascragh, Ballinasloe, Mountbellew]

A map of the county of Galway by William Larkin; 16 sheets (engraved by S. J. Neele, London, 1819).

A map of the county of Galway, sheet 11 [south-west: Galway, Gort, Loughrea]

A map of the county of Galway by William Larkin; 16 sheets (engraved by S. J. Neele, London, 1819).

A map of the county of Galway, sheet 12 [south-east: Killimor, Portumna]

A map of the county of Galway by William Larkin; 16 sheets (engraved by S. J. Neele, London, 1819).

A map of the county of Galway, sheet 13 [south: Lough Cutra]

A map of the county of Galway by William Larkin; 16 sheets (engraved by S. J. Neele, London, 1819).

A map of the county of Galway, sheet 14 [south-east: Lough Derg; Whitegate, Co. Clare]

A map of the county of Galway by William Larkin; 16 sheets (engraved by S. J. Neele, London, 1819).

A map of the county of Galway, sheet 15 [Árainn (part), Leitir Mealláin]

A map of the county of Galway by William Larkin; 15 sheets (engraved by S. J. Neele, London, 1819).

A map of the county of Galway, sheet 16 [Aran Islands, Cois Fharraige, Garmna]

A map of the county of Galway by William Larkin; 16 sheets (engraved by S. J. Neele, London, 1819).

A map of the county of Westmeath by William Larkin

A map of the county of Westmeath by William Larkin (published at Allen’s Map and Print Warehouse, Dublin, 1808).

A map of the county of Leitrim together with part of the Counties of Sligo and Cavan, William Larkin

A map of the county of Leitrim together with part of the counties of Sligo and Cavan, William Larkin (engraved by S. J. Neele, London, 1819). We wish to thank Conall Ó Murchadha who provided a composite copy of the original map.

A map of the county of Longford, sheet 1 [north-west: Drumlish, Newtown Forbes]

A map of the county of Longford by William Edgeworth (1813); 4 sheets (published by W. Faden, London, 1814).

A map of the county of Longford, sheet 2 [north-east: Granard, Lough Gowna]

A map of the county of Longford by William Edgeworth (1813); 4 sheets (published by W. Faden, London, 1814).

A map of the county of Longford, sheet 3 [south-west: Ballymahon, Lanesborough, Longford]

A map of the county of Longford by William Edgeworth (1813); 4 sheets (published by W. Faden, London, 1814).

A map of the county of Longford, sheet 4 [south-east: Ardagh, Edgeworthstown]

A map of the county of Longford by William Edgeworth (1813); 4 sheets (published by W. Faden, London, 1814).

A map of the county of Louth, sheet 1 [north]

A map of the county of Louth, surveyed by George Taylor and Andrew Skinner (1777); 2 sheets (engraved by G. Terry, London).

A map of the county of Louth, sheet 2 [south]

A map of the county of Louth, surveyed by George Taylor and Andrew Skinner (1777); 2 sheets (engraved by G. Terry, London).

A coastal map

A coastal map of counties Donegal (part of), Fermanagh, Sligo and Mayo (part of) (1602-3), Richard Bartlett; facsimile [of Public Record Office, London MPF 1/37] published by Ordnance Survey, Southampton (1861).