What's in a Name Asks Culture Minister?

What’s in a name? Everything is in a name – Ní Chuilín Cad é atá san ainm? Tá gach rud san ainm – Ní Chuilín

Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín is hosting a special event this Thursday 27 June 2013 in the MAC celebrating surnames and placenames in Irish. Tá Carál Ní Chuilín, Aire Cultúir, ag óstáil ócáid speisialta Déardaoin 27 Meitheamh 2013 sa MAC a cheiliúrann sloinnte agus logainmneacha na Gaeilge.

Speaking before the event, the Minister said: “There is nothing more personal than our own names, for many it says who we are and where we come from. Irish placenames, surnames and personal names are well known around the world.

“Níl a dhath níos pearsanta ná ár gcuid ainmneacha féin. Ag cuid mhór againn, cuireann sé in iúl cé muid féin agus cá has dúinn. Tá eolas timpeall na cruinne ar logainmneacha, sloinnte agus ainmneacha pearsanta na hÉireann.

“Many of the places in which we live also carry the ancient names given to them by the people who first lived there. They can tell of the history of a place or its landscape. For example Poleglass – in Irish, An Poll Glas – means the green hole or hollow. Ballysillan, Baile na Saileán, is the townland of the willowgroves.

“I gcuid mhór de na háiteanna ina bhfuilimid inár gcónaí, maireann na hainmneacha ársa a thug na chéad chónaitheoirí orthu. Mar shampla, An Poll Glas an chéad ainm a bhí ar Poleglass agus Baile na Saileán arBallysillan.

“Townlands are a unique feature of the Irish landscape. They existed long before our parishes and counties, and it is therefore important this history and knowledge are retained as new developments and progress change our landscapes forever.

“Is gné ar leith de thírdhreach na hÉireann iad na bailte fearainn. Bhí siad ann i bhfad roimh ár gcuid paróistí agus contaetha agus, mar sin de, is tábhachtach go gcaomhnaítear an stair agus an t-eolas seo anois go bhfuil forbairtí úra agus dul chun cinn ag athrú an tírdhreacha go deo.

“It is brilliant to see the growing interest across society in learning the Irish Language. Since I launched the Líofa initiative in September 2011 we have far exceed the initial target of 1,000 people committing to becoming fluent in Irish by 2015. We have now exceed 4,000 signatories.

“Is iontach go bhfuil níos mó daoine ná riamh as gach cuid den tsochaí ar suim leo an Ghaeilge a fhoghlaim. Ó sheol mé tionscnamh Líofa i Meán Fómhair 2011 sháraigh muid gan stró an chéad sprioc a bhí againn go mbeadh 1,000 duine tiomanta don Ghaeilge a bheith ar a dtoil acu faoi 2015. Tá breis agus 4,000 duine cláraithe againn anois.

“Events such as this will help celebrate the rich cultural and linguistic heritage of this island, something we all share and that should be embraced by all.

“Is cuidiú iad imeachtaí den chineál seo oidhreacht shaibhir chultúrtha agus teanga an oileáin seo a cheiliúradh, óir is oidhreacht í ar féidir linn a roinnt ar a chéile agus glacadh léi go fonnmhar.