iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

The Northern Ireland Place-Name Project @placenamesni.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

NIPNP has now reached the end of its current funding period. As a result, the team is in the process of winding down activities. We regret that we are no longer in a position to respond to requests for information or translations. We appreciate your understanding as we conclude this phase of work.

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Dr Frances Kane @drfranceskane.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Just a month to go to our CPD event ‘Opening up the map’. Spaces are limited so get in touch quickly to secure a spot!

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The Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland @snsbi.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Names in tūn (modern -ton) are so extremely common that they might seem tedious, but they can reveal a great deal about what was important to people in the past, and how places and resources were used.

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The Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland @snsbi.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Old English tūn, pronounced ‘toon’ and originally meaning ‘enclosure, fence’, crossed the North Sea with the Anglo-Saxons as they settled parts of Britain from the fifth century onwards, though its heyday began some three centuries later and lasted until after the Norman Conquest.

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The Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland @snsbi.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Today's name story is 'Tūn: From rustic fence to urban sprawl'. It is written by Nigel Suffield-Jones and Diana Whaley. For more information, see www.snsbi.org.uk/exploring-na...

snsbi.org.uk

Tūn: From rustic fence to urban sprawl - SNSBI

This story explores the ways in which Old English tūn was used in place-names and traces how tūn developed from a word meaning 'enclosure' or 'fence' to become the most commonly used element in Englis...

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Moira Stone @moirakstone.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

"when it comes to place-names, knowing what not to translate can be just as important as knowing what to" #translation

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The Northern Ireland Place-Name Project @placenamesni.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Perfect timing! Versions of ‘tūn’ appear frequently in Belfast street names and area grey of example of something that we often choose NOT to translate. Think Newington, Arlington and Cliftonville. Read more in @drfranceskane.bsky.social latest blog here: franceskane.wordpress.com/2026/04/14/w...

franceskane.wordpress.com

When Not to Translate: Irish Street Names and the Limits of Meaning

Irish-language street names are becoming an increasingly visible part of our everyday landscape, appearing across new developments and established neighbourhoods alike. With that visibility comes i…

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Dr Frances Kane @drfranceskane.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

It’s been a while but I’m revisiting my blog to share some work we have been doing with NIPNP. More case studies to follow in coming weeks but here’s a bit of ‘why we do what we do’… franceskane.wordpress.com/2026/04/14/w...

franceskane.wordpress.com

When Not to Translate: Irish Street Names and the Limits of Meaning

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Dr Frances Kane @drfranceskane.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

New project loading……🎙️

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The Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland @snsbi.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Many place-names are deceptive, so it’s not surprising that many people have assumed that the striking place-name Pity Me can’t really be what it seems. What is it, though? Today's name story is written by Emeritus Professor Diana Whaley of @newcastleuni.bsky.social. www.snsbi.org.uk/exploring-na...

snsbi.org.uk

Pity Me – really? - SNSBI

Many place-names are deceptive, so it's not surprising that many people have assumed that the striking name Pity Me (best known from County Durham, but found more widely) can't really be what it seems...

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Dr Frances Kane @drfranceskane.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

Another date for the diary over this years @niscifest.bsky.social showcasing our wonderful database with this exciting event @ulstermuseum.org nisciencefestival.com/event/mappin...

nisciencefestival.com

Mapping Ireland: Joe Mahon in conversation with Keith Lilley & Frances Kane | NI Science Festival

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Dr Frances Kane @drfranceskane.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

‘paddle back in time’ is back for @niscifest.bsky.social 2026! Join us at Nendrum or on the Quoile nisciencefestival.com/event/paddle...

nisciencefestival.com

Paddle Back in Time: | NI Science Festival

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The Northern Ireland Place-Name Project @placenamesni.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

Saul near Downpatrick refers to a barn which stood on land presented to St Patrick in AD 432 by the local chieftain Dichu as a site for his first churchz In 1170 Saul is referred to as Saball Patraic in the Annals of Ulster and as Sabhall Phádraig ‘Patrick’s Barn’ in the OS Name Book (1834)

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Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba @ainmean-aite.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

Eileamaid na seachdaine Sabhal "barn" Thoir dhuinn ainm sabhail a tha a' còrdadh ribh! 'S Nollaig chridheil dhuibh uile!! #AinmÀite #Gàidhlig #Cleachdi #Placenames #Gaelic

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Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba @ainmean-aite.bsky.social · 26/12/2025

Mapa Gàidhlig na Seachdaine Creag Eileachaidh ~ Craigellachie buff.ly/PWmFhaE #AinmÀite #Gàidhlig #Cleachdi #Placenames #Gaelic #Maps #NàdarAlba #NatureScot

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Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba @ainmean-aite.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

Ainm-àite na Seachdaine Loch Ness ~ Loch Nis 'loch of the river Neas' NH599377 buff.ly/xf3VoQv #AinmÀite #Gàidhlig #Cleachdi #Placenames #Gaelic

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Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba @ainmean-aite.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Eileamaid na seachdaine Monadh "hill; moor; upland" Thoir dhuinn ainm monaidh a tha a' còrdadh ribh! #AinmÀite #Gàidhlig #Cleachdi #Placenames #Gaelic

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Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba @ainmean-aite.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

Mapa Gàidhlig na Seachdaine CMAL ~ CMAL buff.ly/PWmFhaE #AinmÀite #Gàidhlig #Cleachdi #Placenames #Gaelic #Maps #CMAL #CalMac

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The Northern Ireland Place-Name Project @placenamesni.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

The Co. Armagh village of Newtownhamilton was established c.1770 by Alexander Hamilton, a descendant of the John Hamilton from Scotland who founded Hamiltonsbawn in 1619. The parish was created in 1773 out of the neighbouring parish of Creggan.

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The Northern Ireland Place-Name Project @placenamesni.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

Our friends at @niscifest.bsky.social have been working on a new project and have now launched their website for 'Maps and Memories'. The project marks 200 years since the OS first mapping survey on Divis. Watch this space for exciting collaborations in 2026 nisciencefestival.com/programme/ma...

nisciencefestival.com

Maps & Memories | NI Science Festival

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The Society for Name Studies in Britain and Ireland @snsbi.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

Call for Papers! Our Spring Conference @snsbi.bsky.social will be held on 27-29 March 2026 in the historic Athenaeum in Bury St Edmunds. @namestudies.bsky.social, @englishplacenames.bsky.social, @logainm.bsky.social, @placenames.bsky.social, @placenamesni.bsky.social, @ainmean-aite.bsky.social

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The Northern Ireland Place-Name Project @placenamesni.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our friend Dr Gordon McCoy, former UPNS Secretary and a valued scholar of the Irish language, anthropology, and place-names. Gordon’s work with Turas, his Gaelic maps of Belfast and East Belfast, and his research. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

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The Northern Ireland Place-Name Project @placenamesni.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

Important notice from the committee of the Ulster Place Name Society 👇

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Oireachtas na Gaeilge @oirnagaeilge.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

Tá Béal Feirste ag ullmhú d'Oireachtas na Samhna 2025! Ceannaigh ticéad anseo: www.antoireachtas.ie/oireachtas-n... #OnaS25

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Aonghus Ó hAlmhain @aonghusoha.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

Seoladh mór @leabharbreac.bsky.social ag @oirnagaeilge.bsky.social 3pm go dtí 5pm Dé hAoine 31 Deireadh Fómhair, sa gCultúrlann (sa Dánlann ar chúl an tsiopa leabhar, An Ceathrú Póilí)

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The Northern Ireland Place-Name Project @placenamesni.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

It is possible that Laoch of Cill Ó Laoch ‘church of the descendants of Laoch’ (Killyleagh) is a variant spelling of Luighdheach, a genitive form of Lughaidh which was a popular name in early Ireland. The ruins of the medieval parish church are north of the town centre. www.bbc.com/news/article...

bbc.com

Prince Andrew: Killyleagh has its say over his baron title - BBC News

The prince is relinquishing all of his royal titles - one of which is Baron Killyleagh.

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Patrick Brannigan @patrickjmb.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Cloud-capped #Mournes from the townland of Magherasaul/Machaire Sabhall ‘plain of barns', @placenamesni.bsky.social #CountyDown #SpéirGhorm Corrected from earlier post.

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The Northern Ireland Place-Name Project @placenamesni.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

In the townland of Doagh, Co. Antrim, the Irish element dumhach ‘mound’ refers to a Norman motte, but in the four Co. Derry townlands named Doaghs (parish of Magilligan), the same element refers to the sand dunes along Magilligan Strand all the way to Magilligan Point.

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Patrick Brannigan @patrickjmb.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

Morning sky over Raholp, Saul, Slieve Patrick. Wow! #Lecale #LeathCathail #CountyDown #SpéirGhorm #Skyscape Possible: Ráth Cholpa ‘fort of the steer’, source @placenamesni.bsky.social

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The Northern Ireland Place-Name Project @placenamesni.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

Ravara (Ráth Bhearach ‘fort of heifers) is ’referred to as Balliravarragh in 1605. The parish of Dromara is also named after heifers: bearach. No ringfort appears to survive.

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The Northern Ireland Place-Name Project @placenamesni.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

Despite its appearance, Ahoghill isn't 'a hill for hogs', but a transliteration of Achadh Eochaille ‘field of the yew wood’ (see also Youghal, Cork). However we do have plenty of pig-hills like in Cornamuck (corr na muc), Tullymuck (Tulaigh muc) and Crocknamuck (Cnoc na muc)

media.tenor.com

a man in a pig costume says what ?

ALT: a man in a pig costume says what ?

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Lorraine Mulholland @lorraineelizab6.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

9 Sept: Feast Ss Mochta mac Dergain of Druim, Fer Dá Chrích, Dar Erca, Fíalán "the Miraculous", Dímmán & Conall the sage "son of Oengus". "druim"=back, ridge. In c. 2,400 Irish townlands, anglicised drum/drom/drim ( @placenamesni.bsky.social )! 📷Drumlins, Ballymorran, Strangford, Down ©Albert Bridge

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The Northern Ireland Place-Name Project @placenamesni.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

Craobh ‘tree, branch’ appears as both ‘creeve’ and ‘crew’. The hill of Craobh Thulcha at Crew, Antrim was the site of two famous battles between the rival peoples of Uí Néill and Ulaid. To emphasise their victory in 1099, the Uí Néill party cut down the sacred tree of the Ulaid.

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Dr Frances Kane @drfranceskane.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

Had the pleasure today of getting up close and personal with some of John O’Donvan’s handiwork and his edits for the names of Tory Island with an excellent session hosted by the wonderful Crystal Bennes @ria.ie 😍

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The Northern Ireland Place-Name Project @placenamesni.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

Did you know that the city of Derry was once an island? The area now known as the Bogside was originally underwater. The Foyle flowed round the island, and was first settled as the river diverted. It dried out into marshland: hence the name Bogside.

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Dr Frances Kane @drfranceskane.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

Writing for the OS memoirs, John O’Donovan comments “what a pit-y that the Irish were so fond of calling places after such pits as the pit of Queen Meve” 😂 @irelandmapped.bsky.social

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The Northern Ireland Place-Name Project @placenamesni.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

Rising to 687 metres, Sawel Mountain is the highest peak of the Sperrins, sitting on the border of Counties Derry and Tyrone. The full name of the mountain is Samhail Phite Méabha ‘likeness to Maeve’s vulva’ and is said to be used metaphorically to refer to a hollow on the side of the mountain.

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The Northern Ireland Place-Name Project @placenamesni.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

Baile (usually ‘bally’) originally meant ‘place’, later 'a piece of land belonging to an individual or group, but gradually took on wider meanings; land-measure, homestead, home, abode, town, village, place' In medieval texts the word was used to refer to a passage in a book and a part of the body!

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The Northern Ireland Place-Name Project @placenamesni.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

Macha ‘pasture’ in Armagh (Ard Mhacha ‘height of Macha’) is the name of a land-goddess who represents sovereignty in the myths of the ancient Ulstermen. Armagh is also where Patrick built his great stone church in 445AD, making Armagh the Ecclesiastical Capital of Ireland.

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(Dr) Rena Maguire @justrena.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

The super folks at @belfastsociety.org have annihnced this year's lectures. Some absolute stonkers I've marked in to attend, one being @profkdlilley.bsky.social on Oct 8th retracing OS surveyors ( for all of us who live for the OS Memoirs!) Venue: Old Museum,College Sq N.

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The Northern Ireland Place-Name Project @placenamesni.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Dubhais, consisting of dubh (black) and ais (ridge), is the longstanding Irish name of Divis mountain. However, recent reconsideration by the Placenames team of the pronunciation of Divis in English suggests the slender variant Duibhis is much more likely to be the original local name.

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