LEIXLIP: 28 May 2001: by Bill Trapman. Leixlip-based councillor Paul Kelly has called on residents associations in North Kildare to include the Irish versions of their place names when they are replacing name plaques.
"There is a wealth of history in our place names", he says. "We should make sure that we hold onto them, particularly the Irish versions Sometimes there is even more history in the Irish name than there is in the anglicized version."
He cites Ryevale Lawns in Leixlip as an example. Gleann na Rí means Valley of the King, which depicts the King’s River or Abhann na Rí which divided the Kingdoms of Leinster and Meath in ancient times. "It would be a pity to see that type of lore lost to our children," he says. "It’s up to us to keep that tradition alive and there is plenty of advice available from the Leixlip Town Clerk, Kildare County Council or the Irish Placenames Commission to assist people with correct translations.
"The expense of adding another few words to a stone or plaque is worth it when it means keeping part of our heritage and culture alive. Ba mhaith liom go dtabharfadh gach eastáit sa chontae faoi seo; is fiú é."
©2001knn