The Placenames Branch

The Placenames Branch undertakes research into the administrative placenames of Ireland, along with other geographical names that appear on Tailte Éireann maps, in order to provide authoritative Irish language versions for official and public use. The Irish versions recommended by the Placenames Branch are given legal status under the Official Languages Act 2003 (amended 2021) in placenames orders made by the Minister with responsibility for Gaeltacht Affairs, having received and considered the advice of the Placenames Committee. (Placenames orders usually declare the Irish versions of the names of all administrative units within a given county – townlands, civil parishes, baronies, electoral divisions – along with a selection of other geographical names.) The Placenames Committee assesses the recommendations of the Placenames Branch and publishes draft placenames orders for a period of public consultation before providing their advice. Prior to 2012 the Minister was advised by An Coimisiún Logainmneacha (Placenames Commission). The Placenames Committee was established in place of the Placenames Commission on 19 September 2013.

All Irish language versions of placenames determined by the Placenames Branch are published on the Placenames Database of Ireland website. This site which has been developed by Fiontar, Dublin City University (DCU), in collaboration with the Placenames Branch, provides a comprehensive management system for data, archival records and placenames research conducted by the State.

If you are unable to find the Irish language version of a placename on the website at www.logainm.ie, you can request the information from the Placenames Branch via email to logainmneacha@chg.gov.ie

Placenames Orders

Consultation