Sense of place

FEW people have an interest in the origin and meaning of the country’s placenames. Indeed, I’m sure most are unaware that the vast majority of our placenames predate the Viking, Norman and English invasions.

That is why I find it disturbing that Education Minister Mary Hanafin has still not said she intends to include a chapter or page in the Irish syllabus on the subject.

The minister is falling down on so many fronts in relation to our national language I would be surprised if she took the question seriously.