Clare Placenames Brochure
Clare Placenames Policy

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Coiste Logainmneacha an Chlair
Clare Placenames Committee

The Clare Placenames Committee was set up under the Clare Heritage Plan to advise and monitor the selection of suitable names for housing developments in the county. The group is representative of various cultural and historical bodies in the County and work in conjunction with Council officers. The project maintains its initial momentum providing an excellent service to developers and local communities. The study and development of the placenames has been largely reinforced by the establishment of a wide network of people learned in the various disciplines of local knowledge and experience. Those interested are still welcome to participate in the group. Most evident has been the willing response shown by developers, local authorities and communities and this fact is borne out by the new Irish names appearing on hoardings and advertising brochures in the County.

The provision of a placenames service has been a vital factor in the establishment of a good rapport between the interested parties and further development in this sphere is welcome. Due to legislation introduced by the Department of the Environment and Local Government it is now necessary to provide names reflecting the traditions and general environment of each locality and this is provided for in the Committee’s deliberations. Emphasis is placed on a “user friendly” choice of name and developers are encouraged to choose placenames along specified guidelines.

Tá tábhacht le béim ar fhuaim thaithneamhach shimplí sa logainm, ionas gur féidir é a rá agus a scríobh go furasta, gan aon aistriúchán. This formula is catered for in the excellent guide booklet “Name Your Place” published by Cairdeas Logainmneacha Na Sionna, the Shannon based study group which in co-operation with the National Language Body, Foras Na Gaeilge launched the booklet in March 2004. Some copies are available for those wishing to be involved in the naming of housing developments in your area.

Due to demand, work has commenced on the second edition which with some modifications is due to be re-issued early in 2005. This initiative of the Shannon group has given an added impetus to the naming process as exemplified by the number of Gaelic placenames in the town. Timpeallacht Ghaelach a chothú agus a chaomhnú tré logainmneacha agus comharthaí Gaeilge a chur chun cinn, sin í an phríomhaidhm atá leis an tógra. Cabhróidh comharthaí atá feiceálach, dár linn, le spreagadh i measc an phobaíl an Ghaeilge a úsáid.