I've seen the database of Leitrim-Roscommon townlands names, but has their been any attempt to provide more information about the townland names, e.g. perhaps their origin and meaning from the Irish language or Celtic past and mythology, geography etc?
The Irishtimes has a web site http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/placenames/
that apparently will provide some information, but it is fee based and I've not seen what information it will yield. It seems expensive.
Also I've seen the Northern Ireland website, which is free, for placenames in the north
http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofLa ... meProject/
Leitrim-Roscommon Townland names and Placenames
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ElphinBill
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Jim Irvine
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The book(s) you want are John O'Donovan's letters and name books relating to the Ornance Survey mapping of Ireland in 1836/7.
I doubt if these are generally available although libraries in Ireland will probably have copies. I know I have consulted a copy in Leitrim Library in Ballinamore.
In actual fact Donovan, who was a noted Gaelic scholar and antiquarian, tried wherever possible to give an English meaning to each Townland name.
Michael Whelan's book "The Parish of Aughavas, Co Leitrim"1998. gives the Donovan translations for all the townlands of Aughavas parish.
It should be noted that there are people who disagree with at least some of the translations and it would be a very interesting subject for a serious study utilising modern methods.
I doubt if these are generally available although libraries in Ireland will probably have copies. I know I have consulted a copy in Leitrim Library in Ballinamore.
In actual fact Donovan, who was a noted Gaelic scholar and antiquarian, tried wherever possible to give an English meaning to each Townland name.
Michael Whelan's book "The Parish of Aughavas, Co Leitrim"1998. gives the Donovan translations for all the townlands of Aughavas parish.
It should be noted that there are people who disagree with at least some of the translations and it would be a very interesting subject for a serious study utilising modern methods.