COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN/PALMERSTOWN/NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

MOTION NO. 19

MOTION: Councillor Shane Moynihan

That this Area Committee calls for the development of a Placenames Guide for areas in Lucan and Palmerstown-Fonthill, describing the names of various townlands (and how they got their names) and also housing estates (and where their names originate from), as a guide to educating communities about the history of their area.

 REPORT: 

While the responsibility for proposing naming and numbering schemes for new developments rests with the developer, the Council advises developers of requirements and approves the eventual scheme. 

It is Council policy that the name chosen for a development must reflect the local and/or historical context of the area in which it is located. This should be done in a manner that is not overly obscure or difficult to relate to. This can be achieved by reference to local history; the townland, parish or other long-established name, past industry or employment in the area, local topography, or a well-known association of a significant historical individual, event or custom from the local area. Local history societies or a local library may be able to offer advice.

The name proposed to the Naming and Numbering section of the Planning Department must also not duplicate or be easily confused with an existing name in the county. This is in the interests of owners, occupiers, visitors, service and utility providers and for rapid emergency service provision.

Naming Schemes must also comply with central government guidelines on naming and numbering, preferably should include the use exclusively of the Irish language and should have regard to the Guidelines issued by the Placenames Commission (An Coimisiún Logainmneacha). In this way the naming of new developments can contribute to or help maintain a sense of identity for the area in which it is located.

The logainm.ie website summarises the sources of many of the place names around the country – the following links directly to the South Dublin section of that list https://www.logainm.ie/Eolas/Data/Brainse/south-dublin-streetnames.pdf

 In conclusion, the sentiments of the motion are laudable, and can be considered in the context of the review of the Heritage Plan, likely to commence later in 2021.