Project Information

Fiontar (DCU) and The Placenames Branch (Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs) have developed the Placenames Database of Ireland on this site. Work commenced on Phase I of the project in April 2007 and the Placenames Database of Ireland was launched at the beginning of October 2008. Phase II of the project will be completed at the end of 2010.

This is a valuable resource for journalists and translators, students and teachers, historians and researchers in genealogy. It is a public resource for Irish people at home and abroad, and for all those who appreciate the rich heritage of Irish placenames.

The principal objective of Phase I of the project was to make available through the internet, Irish placenames that had been approved by the Placenames Branch, searchable under both Irish and English versions. The following additional features were also developed:

1. A system to enable simultaneous Irish-English and English-Irish translation of lists of placenames.
2. Sound recordings of some placenames. Sound files have been included in the entries of some of the placenames of Co. Waterford, Co. Galway, Co. Donegal, Co. Kerry, Co. Tipperary, Co. Louth, Co. Dublin and Co. Mayo. Sound files will be added to other counties on a phased basis.
3. Background information notes pertaining to certain placenames. Scanned images of some of the historical source material have been included on the site under ‘Archival records’. Some of these records will be input gradually in a searchable form on the public interface.

logainm.ie project (Phase II) 2009-2010

This phase includes management of the database and further development of the resource. Editorial work will continue on existing database material and further work will be carried out on sound files and inputting of historical records in searchable format.

The following additional features will also be developed:

1. Mapping tools for the logainm.ie site. A search facility and a device to display search results on maps will be created.
2. Educational resources for primary and postprimary school pupils and third level students.
3. Supplementary aids for the public including explanatory notes on certain features in placenames.
4. An interactive system for members of the public to submit information on placenames.

This project is supported by the National Lottery.