Lots of mileage left in placename puzzle

IS IT Ennistymon or Ennistimon? Or should we forget the oppression and go back to Inis Díomáin?

Either way the west Clare town is the latest example of a nation’s refusal to standardise one language while claiming to have the mastery of two.

The new bypass sweeping through Clare declares the town on the west of the county to be Ennistimon — with an “i”.

Rather than setting a standard, it steers people into confusion.

When measuring distances between towns, the general road engineer’s rule is to bow to the authority of An Post — but not in this case. Because the post office is in Ennistymon — with a “y”.

And there lies the problem: there is more than one authority.

An Post stands by its records, which go back centuries while the National Roads Authority said it is merely taking the Government line.

The Government, which runs the Placenames Commission, bases its spelling on the Townland’s Index, first written in 1851.

And, of course, this index declares the town to be Ennistimon — with an “i”.

The town, however, need not worry — it is in good company.

Recently Cahir became Caher for motorists on the Mitchelstown ring road while Lahinch frequently pops up as Lehinch — a result of the classic An Post/ Townland’s Index conflict.

Nearby, yet another town alternates between Corofin and Corrofin and while driving around Leenane, Co Galway, you drift into Leenaun and see a sign for Maum but seconds later another for Maam.

If you’re speaking as Gaeilge then Tallaght enjoys four different spellings on signs around the village and approaching Mallow from Limerick you are welcomed to Mala but heading for Cork the town becomes both Magh Eala and Magh Ealla.

The Placenames Commission in the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs is adamant that “Mala” is correct, but then, isn’t everyone?