Please Settle This: How is LEITRIM Pronounced?

[Brian Wynn]

My original feeling (as a non-Irishman) was that 'Leitrim' would be pronounced 'lie (as in pie) trim'. However, when I recently visited the nearby parish of Kilronan in Roscommon, the elderly locals I spoke to insisted that their pronunciation was 'lay (as in pay)-trim'. However, others in the same area insisted that it should be 'lee (as in wee)-trim'.<p>In my genealogical work, I am oft confronted by this question, so I would really apprececiate an authoritative opinion on which pronunciation we (in the general world) should be using.<p>Lie-trim, lay-trim or lee-trim; which is it to be, please?<p>By the way, to be honest, I did discover that there was a local district called Leitrim within Roscommon. Perhaps the Roscommonites (?) pronounce that differently?<p>Gosh, it's nearly as hard as learning Gaelic!
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brianfw@ozemail.com.au

[Sean]

: My original feeling (as a non-Irishman) was that 'Leitrim' would be pronounced 'lie (as in pie) trim'. However, when I recently visited the nearby parish of Kilronan in Roscommon, the elderly locals I spoke to insisted that their pronunciation was 'lay (as in pay)-trim'. However, others in the same area insisted that it should be 'lee (as in wee)-trim'.<p>: In my genealogical work, I am oft confronted by this question, so I would really apprececiate an authoritative opinion on which pronunciation we (in the general world) should be using.<p>: Lie-trim, lay-trim or lee-trim; which is it to be, please?<p>: By the way, to be honest, I did discover that there was a local district called Leitrim within Roscommon. Perhaps the Roscommonites (?) pronounce that differently?<p>: Gosh, it's nearly as hard as learning Gaelic!<p>Brian, Welcome to Irish pronounciations!<p>Modern pronounciation is Lee-trim and the old one based on Gaelic is Lay-trim. This latter is sometimes used in jest as in "Lay-trim, God help us; 'Tis so wet the snipes wear Wellingtons." <br>(You can look up "snipes" and "Wellingtons.")

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[Jim Irvine]

: : My original feeling (as a non-Irishman) was that 'Leitrim' would be pronounced 'lie (as in pie) trim'. However, when I recently visited the nearby parish of Kilronan in Roscommon, the elderly locals I spoke to insisted that their pronunciation was 'lay (as in pay)-trim'. However, others in the same area insisted that it should be 'lee (as in wee)-trim'.<p>: : In my genealogical work, I am oft confronted by this question, so I would really apprececiate an authoritative opinion on which pronunciation we (in the general world) should be using.<p>: : Lie-trim, lay-trim or lee-trim; which is it to be, please?<p>: : By the way, to be honest, I did discover that there was a local district called Leitrim within Roscommon. Perhaps the Roscommonites (?) pronounce that differently?<p>: : Gosh, it's nearly as hard as learning Gaelic!<p>: Brian, Welcome to Irish pronounciations!<p>: Modern pronounciation is Lee-trim and the old one based on Gaelic is Lay-trim. This latter is sometimes used in jest as in "Lay-trim, God help us; 'Tis so wet the snipes wear Wellingtons." <br>: (You can look up "snipes" and "Wellingtons.")<p>snipes as in "sky goats"

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irvinejim@hotmail.com

[MEB]

: My original feeling (as a non-Irishman) was that 'Leitrim' would be pronounced 'lie (as in pie) trim'. However, when I recently visited the nearby parish of Kilronan in Roscommon, the elderly locals I spoke to insisted that their pronunciation was 'lay (as in pay)-trim'. However, others in the same area insisted that it should be 'lee (as in wee)-trim'.<p>: In my genealogical work, I am oft confronted by this question, so I would really apprececiate an authoritative opinion on which pronunciation we (in the general world) should be using.<p>: Lie-trim, lay-trim or lee-trim; which is it to be, please?<p>: By the way, to be honest, I did discover that there was a local district called Leitrim within Roscommon. Perhaps the Roscommonites (?) pronounce that differently?<p>: Gosh, it's nearly as hard as learning Gaelic!<p>It's " LEE-TRIM " End of story!<p>

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[Tom Fitzsimmons]

I think there are many "leitrim" places in Ireland, and I think they all mean "grey ridge". I can't vouch for the correctness of the Irish or its spelling, but I think the word is from two words, "leit" for grey and "drum" for ridge. I knew a lady from Leitrim, Roscommon, Mamie Creaton, R.I.P..<p>
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tjfitz@iol.ie

[Tom Fitzsimmons]

And isn't there a hill in Leitrim, Castlerea, Roscommon that is of a height such that you can see seven counties from it?<p>
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tjfitz@iol.ie

[roisin]

<br>Leitrim is pronounced LEE- TRIM with a slight emphasis on LEET.<br>take it from an Irishwoman!!!!! Roisin pronounced Ro-sheen
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the-nelsons@sympatico.ca

[Brian Wynn]

Thank you, kind people. I guess it's pronounced LEET-rim from now on!
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brianfw@ozemail.com.au

[Mary McGovern]

: I think there are many "leitrim" places in Ireland, and I think they all mean "grey ridge". I can't vouch for the correctness of the Irish or its spelling, but I think the word is from two words, "leit" for grey and "drum" for ridge. I knew a lady from Leitrim, Roscommon, Mamie Creaton, R.I.P..<p>I think your meaning of Leitrim is right. It is real drumlin country. When my husband's family arrived in Ontario, Canada in the early 1800s thjey found land exactly like that which they left behind...drumlin country.<br>Also, the spelling on our gravestones for Leitrim is Leithrim.

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mwarnier@sympatico.da