BROWSE
county
An Mhí
genitive: na Mí
validated name (What is this?)
(Irish)
Meath
(English)

Explanatory note

  • Gaeilge

    the middle
    Is sean-ainmfhocal é mide a chiallaigh ‘middle, centre’ agus a d’imigh as feidhm go luath. Tá an focal caomhnaithe in ainm an chúige stairiúil agus in ainm an chontae ina dhiaidh sin. Chiallaigh midech mar ainmfhocal firinscneach ‘a man of Meath’ agus mar ainmfhocal bainscineach ‘a woman of Meath’. Rinneadh sloinne de ina dhiaidh sin agus tá foirmeacha ar nós de Midia, Miadh, srl., le fáil i gcáipéisí Laidine nó Béarla.
    Scríobh an t-údar F.J. Byrne an cuntas seo a leanas faoi chúigí bunaidh na tíre: ‘The original Fifths were in all probability Ulaid, Laigin, Mumu, Connachta and Mide. The last-named possibly included Tara, although Mide proper (the name simply means ‘the middle’) comprised Westmeath, Longford and part of Offaly, whereas the modern county of Meath with the adjoining portions of Louth and north Dublin was known in the Old Irish period as Brega (‘the heights’).’—Irish Kings and High Kings
    Maireann an t-ainm Breagha > Breá fós ar na cnoic ar a dtugtar Sliabh Breá i dtuaisceart na Mí.

Centrepoint

53.651, -6.74847latitude, longitude
Irish Grid (with letter)
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Irish Grid (without letter)
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Irish Transverse Mercator (ITM)
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Archival records

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Historical references

g.d.
lean Midhe
Dioghl. D Leathanach: 272, Véarsa: 36
g.d.
ar arduibh na Midhe
Aith.D Leathanach: 168, Véarsa: 39
g.d.
Laidhghneach Mhídheach
Gormlaith
Ir. Bard. Poet Leathanach: 208, Véarsa: V, 6, Líne: 1
g.d.
go fearaibh Midhe
Gormlaith
Ir. Bard. Poet Leathanach: 211, Véarsa: IX, 8
1213
Ó Dálaigh Midhe
Ir. Bard. Poet Leathanach: 90, Véarsa: 17, Líne: 4
1220c
san Midhe
Ir. Bard. Poet Leathanach: 106, Véarsa: 15, Líne: 3
1550-1600
san Mhidhe
Ir. Bard. Poet Leathanach: 38, Véarsa: 11, Líne: 2
1598
East Meath
90
Descr. Ir.
1707c
Meidhe
"Meath .i. meidhe no muineal gacha cóige d'eirinn mar fhearann búird don Rígh"
Liosta Lhwyd Leathanach: 272
1725c
(contae) Midhe ... (rí-phort) Muilean Gearr
Eólas ar an Domhan
1739
midhe—the county of Meath
Foclóir Uí Neachtain

Please note: Some of the documentation from the archives of the Placenames Branch is available here. It indicates the range of research contributions undertaken by the Branch on this placename over the years. It may not constitute a complete record, and evidence may not be sequenced on the basis of validity. It is on this basis that this material is made available to the public.

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