An Daingean townsfolk to vote on name change

The townspeople of An Daingean in Co Kerry are to be given the opportunity to change the name of their town back to the anglicised version of Daingean Uí Chuis.

Under the Official Languages Act, over 2,300 placenames in Gaeltacht areas were changed back to the original Irish version.

However, following pressure from commercial and tourist interests in the town, An Daingean has become the only location to object to the changes brought about by the Placenames Commission under the Official Languages Act.

Kerry County Council decided today that a poll should be held to see if the town should be called Dingle or Daingean Uí Chuis.

The debate has proved divisive in the town which prides itself as the capital of the Corca Dhuibhne Gaeltacht.

Opponents of the use of the Irish version of the name say Dingle is a world renowned brand name and that potential visitors would be put off by the Irish version of the name.

However, supporters say Daingean Uí Chuis is the town's original name and that visitors would be capable of recognising the name of the town as they would be in any foreign country.

An Daingean has benefited from state funding through the years on the basis of its status as a Gaeltacht town and the Mayor of An Daingean, Toireasa Ní Fhearaoisa warned today that this funding could come under threat under any review of Gaeltacht boundaries.