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Easter Knocknacaska/Cnoc na Cásca “the hill of Easter” (see logainm.ie #24263)

Date: 25/03/2024

While only one known example of An Nollaig “Christmas” occurs among townland names, namely Boleynanollag/Buaile na Nollag “the boley, cattle-fold of Christmas” (#21027) in Galway, the feast of An Cháisc “Easter” occurs far more frequently. On a similar theme to Boleynanollag/Buaile na Nollag we find Boolanacausk/Buaile na Cásca “the boley, cattle-fold of Easter” (#7433) in Clare; and another Buaile na Cásca was loosely translated Easterfield (#20989) in Galway. These names most likely referred to an area of land that regularly became available for grazing each year around Easter. It is notable, however, that most of the other townland names referring to An Cháisc “Easter” specifically refer to elevated ground, as in Knocknacaska/Cnoc na Cásca “the hill of Easter” (#24263) in Kerry; Cornacask/Corr na Cásca “the round hill of Easter” (#20472) in Galway (also half-translated as Easterfield); Drumcask/Droim Cásca “the ridge of Easter” (#4026) in Cavan; and Mullanacask/Mullach na Cásca “the summit of Easter” (#40582) in Monaghan. These names probably derive from the native Irish custom of holding assemblies on hills. Indeed, this is hinted at in the explanation of Cnoc na Cásca “the hill of Easter” in Kerry which John O’Donovan wrote in the Parish Namebook of the Ordnance Survey: ‘hill of Easter (meetings here)’. In Monaghan he noted ‘some ceremonies here Easter Sunday’ in the case of Mullanacask/Mullach na Cásca “the summit of Easter”. How Kilnacask/Coill na Cásca “the wood of Easter” (#48861) in Tipperary might have received its name is, however, less certain. (Conchubhar Ó Crualaoich & Aindí Mac Giolla Chomhghaill)

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