English name usage on housing development in Dingle in Gaeltacht is ‘insulting’

Kerry County Council opened a planning enforcement file after the name 'Cairn Close, appeared on advertising hoarding signs outside a private housing development

Sinn Féin councillor Robert Brosnan complained about the use of the anglicised name in Dingle saying it was “insulting and maddening to use an English name in the Gaeltacht”.

A warning letter has been issued by Kerry County Council over the use of an English name on a housing development in Dingle.

Dingle is a Gaeltacht town, in Corca Dhuibhne, one of two Gaeltacht areas in Kerry. 

Three weeks ago the council opened a planning enforcement file after the name “Cairn Close”, appeared on advertising hoarding signs outside the private housing development, after local Sinn Féin councillor Robert Brosnan complained about the use of the anglicised name.

An agreed name “Fearran Uí Fhlaitheartaigh”, the name of the townland, was to be used in accordance with a planning conditions set down by An Bord Pleanála for the six townhouses at Farranflaherty, Chapel Lane.

A condition attached to the grant of permission required a name and numbering system to be agreed with council planners prior to commencement of development. 

The name had to be based on local historical or topographical features.

Advertisements and marketing signs were also to be in accordance with the agreed name. 

Name in Irish signed off on in January

The name Fearran Uí Fhlaithearthaigh was signed off on in January. 

However, hoardings advertising “Cairn Close” appeared on what construction company Moloney described as “a private enclave”.

The Moloney Contracts website also carried the English name Cairn Close.

Mr Brosnan said it was “insulting and maddening to use an English name in the Gaeltacht”.

While he appreciated the employment and the housing being developed in Dingle, there is a duty to guard the language: 

“We as a community also have a duty of care to ensure our language survives and flourishes for future generations that may live in this locality,” Mr Brosnan said.

Moloney Contracts said it is considering “a name in Irish”.

“When the name has been decided on, this is the name that will go on the nameplate of the estate,” a spokesman told the Irish Examiner.

The councillor is drawing “negative attention” to a development and they were addressing the housing needs of west Kerry people, the spokesman added.

Kerry County Council confirmed it has issued a warning letter to the developers.

 Submissions are to be made by the developer by the end of the month.