Corragunnagalliaghdoo – Brickeens – Muggort's Bay – Leggs – Wheelam

 Across Ireland, you'll find a host of curious and quirky place names. Dig a little and you'll discover anglicisations of Irish words (Kilfeakle) or names remembering a figure from mythology or history (Banba's Crown) or commemorating a notable event (Priest's Leap).

 From the cosy-sounding Hugginstown to the sinister Poisoned Glen, there are place names to make you smile (Ballymacquiff, Ballyhooly, Pass-If-You-Can) or spit out your tea (Fannystown).

 A whimsical dive into our weird and wonderful place names.



Introduction page 9

Where It All Began 12

A Hundred Thousand Welcomes 13

Kill Me Now Part 1 20

A Bit of Bally-hoo 23

Having the Craic 25

The Counties 27

Mighty Mná 1: Goddesses and Saints 33

Formidable Fir: More Saints 38

The Revenge of the English 42

Mighty Mná 2: A Load of Bull 45

Kill Me Now Part 2 49

Heroes 55

From Middle-earth to Narnia 60

Home from Home 62

Lost in Translation 65

Veni, Vidi, Viking … 71

Kill Me Now Part 3 75

Adventurers 79

Dublin's Fair City (and County) 83

Jumping Jacks (and Dogs and Priests) 87

Show Me the Money 91

Sea Pictures 95

Meet Me in Crazy Corner 101

Body Parts 107

Gone to the Dogs 111

So Good They Named It Twice 116

Harold's Cross (I'll Bet He Is!) 119

Saltee Addresses 123

Acknowledgements 125

Bibliography 127