20 thoughts on “So Good They Named It Twice

      1. realPolithicks

        Thats an odd sign, as far as I can tell Baile Bocht is actually Irish for Ballybough.

        1. MayJay

          From what I’ve been told, the original place name was Baile Bocht (Poor Town) which was then anglicised to Ballybough. It was then renamed Fairview and re-Irish-ised (!) to Fionn Radharc to please the adjacent suburbs. Which could, of course, be bull-hockey.

  1. Redundant Proofreaders Society

    Dear Eh,
    1. The reference to New York being named twice is nothing to do with the line ‘New York, New York’ but refers to the fact that it was a Dutch colony, named ‘New Amsterdam’ until 1664. The Brits rolled in with 400 troops commandeered by the Duke of York and forced the Dutch to hand the strategic trading port over, subsequently renaming it ‘New York’.

    2. Heuston is the Irish for Heuston.

    1. Pip

      Thought it came from the postal address – New York NY 309 or similar.
      New York, New York (state).

      1. Rob_G

        This is exactly what it is in reference to, I think this might be part of the commenter’s schtick.

    2. pity

      2. Mac Aodha is the Irish for Heuston.
      3. Someone decided that the English and Irish should use the same font in all city signs, making them look horrid.

  2. Cian

    It the train station was named after Seán Heuston (Seán Mac Aodha) doesn’t that make the Irish “MacAodha”?

    1. Andyourpointiswhatexactly?

      Wikipedia (not any knowledge of mine, sadly) would back you up on that.

      1. Cian

        Thanks.

        Um, in the interests of, like, full disclosure…. I got this nugget of info from Wikipedia.

  3. rotide

    Why is there a need to Gaelicize english names?

    Raghnallach being a prime example on the luas. That’s just completely made up.

    1. MayJay

      Yep. Lots of wacky translations, in both directions. As a native Irish speaker, I’m equally annoyed/amused by crappy Irish as I am by over-zealous attempts to find makey-uppy Irish names for what are, essentially, English words. Leave the Irish words alone, leave the English words alone!

      Side note – my current favourite can be found on Bus Éireann “Go raibh maith agat as cluas a thuair dúin” Thank you for giving us an ear. Lirterally, handing someone an ear. Em, you’re welcome!

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