Ireland

By Larry Habegger | Permalink | No Comments | March 29th, 2005 | Trackback

English on road signs and maps is disappearing by decree from the westernmost parts of counties Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kerry and Mayo and their outlying islands. In its place is Gaelic, Ireland’s official language, which is spoken in this area called the Gaeltacht and which the government has been trying to revive for decades. A new law came into effect March 28 requiring official maps and road signs to use Gaelic names for some 2300 towns and villages that up to now have used both Gaelic and English names. The law may create confusion for visitors because private mapmakers are not bound by it and may continue to use English names. No doubt the changes will not happen overnight.

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