THE EARLIEST STRATA
THE SECOND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE EARLY MEDIEVAL
TOPONYMY OF IRELAND AND SCOTLAND
ABSTRACTS
Prof. Thomas Owen Clancy, University of Glasgow
Professor of Celtic, head of the research project ‘The Expansion and Contraction of Gaelic in
Medieval Scotland: the Onomastic Evidence’
http://www.gla.ac.uk/departments/celtic/ourstaff/profthomasclancy/
Keynote Paper: ‘The Place-Names of the Earliest Scottish Records’
Abstract:
Dr. Nollaig Ó Muraíle, National University of Ireland, Galway
Senior Lecturer in Irish
http://www.nuigalway.ie/gaeilge/foireann/foireann5/
Keynote Paper: ‘The Earliest Irish Place-names — Status Quaestionis’
Abstract:
Prof. Richard Coates, University of the West of England
Professor of Linguistics and Onomastics, Hon. Director of the Survey of English Place-Names
http://www.uwe.ac.uk/hlss/llas/staff_coates_r.shtml
Paper Title: ‘Men from the East, names in the West: an approach to some problematic island-names
of Ireland and Britain’
Abstract:
Dr. Catherine Swift, Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick
Director of Irish Studies, Convenor of the Initernational Conference of Irish Medievalists
Paper Title: ‘Church names and their significance for the cult of Patrick’
Abstract:
Dr. Grigory Bondarenko, University of Ulster
Research Fellow, Assistant Editor of the eDIL Project
http://www.dil.ie/Grigoriy Bondarenko.asp
Paper Title: ‘Goidelic hydronyms in Ptolemy’s Geography: Myth behind the name’
Abstract: The author highlights some comparisons between Goidelic hydronyms as preserved by an
ancient Greek geographer of the second century AD Claudius Ptolemaeus and in early Irish placelore. This approach consequently helps to illustrate the mytho-toponymic tradition of early medieval
Irish narratives in a deeper time frame. Goidelic place names preserved in Ptolemy together with
Gaulish epigraphy combined can support our analysis of the mythological motifs in early medieval
Irish prose and poetry (even when the underlying semantics had changed through time). This analysis
on a linguistic level seems to show certain continuity in religious and mythological worldview from
Continental Celts to the early Irish before the adoption of Christianity. This comparative approach
offered in the paper may form a contribution to the problem of links and influences between GraecoRoman and Celtic civilisation.
Dr. Richard Warner, Keeper of Antiquities (Retired), Ulster Museum
Paper Title: ‘Ptolemy's Ireland - observations from an archaeologist’
Abstract: This paper will look at Ptolemy's Irish geography from the point of view of an archaeologist.
Some critical comments will be made regarding previous work on this topic, and new identifications
will be proposed for some places.
Dr. Jacob King, Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba
Paper Title: ‘A lost Aber- name in Speyside’
Abstract:
Dr. Richard Cox, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (University of the Highlands and Islands)
Paper Title: ‘The Etymology of Gaoitbheinn, Isle of Arran’
Abstract: Scots/English Goatfell, Scottish (Arran) Gaelic Gaoitbheinn and Gaoth Bheinn all denote
Arran’s highest mountain, which rises to 874m in the north-eastern quarter of the island. This paper
will look at these different naming traditions, the historical phonology of the forms associated with
them and at the relationship between them.
In short, the evidence suggests that, via a series of phonological adaptations and morphemic
substitutions, PSc Gait-fjall ‘goat-mountain’ developed into EG *Gaítbeál (a borrowing datable to some
time before the 11th century), so early modern ScG *Gaoidbhal and subsequently modern Arran
Gaelic Gaoitbheinn – now short Găŏitbheinn. Meanwhile, earlier ScG *Gaoidbhal developed into
Scots/Eng. Goatfell and, later, through folk etymology, into ScG Gaoth Bheinn, resulting in a separate
Scottish Gaelic tradition.
Dr. Emma Nic Cárthaigh, University College Cork
Lecturer, working until recently as a research student on the Locus Project. Now carrying out postdoctoral research on the De Finibus Project.
http://www.ucc.ie/acad/smg/Emma.htm
Thesis: ‘Staidéar stairiúil ar áitainmneacha na Gaeilge dar tosach ‘D’, bunaithe ar fhoinsí SeanGhaeilge, Meán-Ghaeilge, Nua-Ghaeilge Moiche agus ar fhoinsí Laidin na hÉireann: Dá Ailt Déag –
Doirín Cranncha’ (An historical study of Gaelic placenames beginning with the letter ‘D’, based on
Old-Irish, Middle-Irish, Early Modern Irish and Irish Latin sources: Dá Ailt Déag – Doirín Cranncha)
Paper Title: 'Difficulties determining early medieval Irish tribal boundaries: Dál, Dealbhna, Dartraighe'
Abstract: Early medieval Irish tribal boundaries often pose difficulties for those trying to determine
their extents. The regions in question may be sizeable and the textual evidence concerning them was
generally only compiled long after the tribal boundaries had lost their significance as borders between
peoples. In spite of this, many references to these tribal groups and their territories survive and, in
many cases, it is possible to postulate the extent of the relevant lands from this textual evidence.
Tribes named with the generic element ‘Dál’ prove particularly difficult to locate and there is often
confusion between discrete groups. This paper will outline the difficulties separating the strands of
evidence relating to Dál Buain and Dál Buinne in order to locate these two groups and will postulate
locations for them. Similiarly, problems arise in the case of Dealbhna, Dealbhna Mhór and Dealbhna
Bheag. These problems will be outlined and discussed and a possible location for the elusive
Dealbhna Bheag will be proposed. Finally, whereas Dartraighe is not as problematic as the latter
examples, difficulties arise when trying to parse the evidence for what is two distinct groups. These
difficulties will also be outlined and possible conclusions put forward.
Kelly Kilpatrick, Wadham College, University of Oxford
Research Student
Thesis: The historical interpretation of early medieval insular place-names
Paper Title: ‘Place-names in a Hagiographic Tradition of St Brigit of Kildare: Analysis of Vita Prima
and Bethu Brigte’
Abstract: Two early Lives of St Brigit of Kildare, the Latin Vita Prima and the vernacular Bethu Brigte,
preserve a significant number of territorial-names and place-names (most of which are identifiable).
This provides the opportunity to investigate the places of early cult-sites dedicated to St Brigit, most of
which also belonged to Kildare’s paruchia. In Vita I and Bethu Brigte, Brigit is demonstrated to be an
itinerant saint, and through the place-names recorded she is promoted as a saint worthy of national
beatification. The possible interpretations of these place-names in this tradition are often a subject of
debate in modern scholarship, largely due to a possible political ambition underlying their inclusion in
the texts. Regardless of this, the toponymic corpus in these Lives implies a network of common
devotion to St Brigit throughout many provinces in early medieval Ireland. In comparison with later
sources, it will be observed that Brigit had cult-sites dedicated to her in nearly every region she was
said to have travelled in Vita I and Bethu Brigte, which implies that Brigit had a strong and enduring
cult in these areas. There are many reasons for this, but a notable cause lies in the fact that Brigit’s
paternal kin, the Fothairt, dwelled in many of these regions. In areas where dedications to St Brigit
were particularly strong, she also became incorporated into the local landscape, where significant
natural and man-made features became associated with her; early examples of this can be found in
both Vita I and Bethu Brigte.
Peter McNiven, University of Glasgow
Research Student, working on the research project ‘The Expansion and Contraction of Gaelic in
Medieval Scotland: the Onomastic Evidence’
Thesis: ‘Gaelic place-names and the social history of Gaelic speakers in Menteith before 1300’.
Further information at
http://www.gla.ac.uk/departments/celtic/postgraduatestudy/currentstudentresearch/
Paper Title: ‘P-Celtic place-names in Menteith: British or Pictish?’
Abstract:
Liam Ó hAisibéil, National University of Ireland, Galway
Research Student
Thesis: ‘Logainmneacha Chontae Ros Comáin: Ainmneacha na mbailte fearainn’ (Place-Names of
Co. Roscommon: Townland Names). Further information at http://www.nuigalway.ie/gaeilge/taighde/
Paper Title: ‘The Boldly Odd Hills of Northern Roscommon’
Abstract:
Aengus Finnegan, National University of Ireland, Galway
Research Student
Thesis: ‘Logainmneacha Chill Chainnigh Thiar agus Chluain Lonáin – Ainmneacha na mBailte
Fearainn’ (The Placenames of Kilkenny West and Clonlonan (Co. Westmeath) - The Townland
Names). Further information at http://www.nuigalway.ie/gaeilge/taighde/
Paper Title: ‘The Topography of Bruidhean Da Choga or Bryanmore Hill'
Abstract: The Townland of Bryanmore Upper, in the Barony of Kilkenny West, Co. Westmeath is one
subdivision of the former ballybetagh (baile biataigh) of Bruidhean Da Choga, the others being the
adjacent townlands of Bryanmore Lower, Bryanbeg Upper and Bryanbeg Lower. Bruidhean Da Choga
features in a famous medieval Irish tale called Togail Bruidne Da Choca; ‘The destruction of Da
Choga’s hostel’
The principal topographical feature of the townland is the prominent furze-covered Bryanmore Hill
(123m). On the south-western slope of the hill the remains of Bruíon Da Choga are to be found.
Bruíon, (or in earlier Irish orthography; Bruidhean) usually signifies a hostel, or a large fairy dwelling.
The extended landscape surrounding the hill contains a number of features which can be tentatively
connected to the text, as well as a number of townlands which are mentioned in the text. This paper
will explore theses traces in the landscape.
Guto Rhys, University of Glasgow
Research Student
Thesis: ‘P-Celtic in Northern Britain, the Evidence of Place-names’. Further information at
http://www.gla.ac.uk/departments/celtic/postgraduatestudy/currentstudentresearch/
Paper Title: ‘Towards a phonology of “Pictish”’
Abstract: Guto Rhys is working on a PhD at Glasgow university, investigating the evidence for the
linguistic nature of later (post syncope & apocope) P-Celtic in northern Britain - the variants often
referred to as (Northern) Brittonic/Brythonic/Cumbric and also Pictish. The aim is to collate the
evidence, primarily from secondary sources, and to examine the reflexes of each phonetic segment in
order to approach issues of separate development and similarities. The work involves general
research into Brittonic toponymy, manuscript transmission and the mediation of successor languages.
The presentation will outline and compare the reflexes of the segments of the Brittonic phonetic
system c.600 in both of the above-mentioned variants.
Stephen Digney, University of Glasgow
Research Student
Thesis: ‘Early Medieval Settlement, Routeways, and Contacts in the Forth Valley: a focus on the
Church’. Further information at
http://www.gla.ac.uk/departments/celtic/postgraduatestudy/currentstudentresearch/
Paper Title: ‘Iudeu and Stirling: a possible example of place name change’
Abstract: Stirling appears in the historic record of the 12th century as one of the strongest and most
strategic royal castles in Scotland, yet it is a name not found in any first millennium source. This
contrast between the apparent absence of Stirling in the first millennium and its prominence in the
next led Graham (1959) to suggest that the British named fortress, urbs Iudeu (Bede’s urbs Giudi),
‘should fill the blank’. This identification held the field until Fraser’s (2008) recent challenge
encouraged a reconsideration of the evidence and alternative ways of viewing the problem. In
response this paper will present a renewed hypothesis for Stirling and discuss the implied place-name
change.
Paul Tempan, Queen’s University Belfast
Research Student
Thesis: ‘A study of topographical elements in Irish place-names through observation in the field’.
Further information at
http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofLanguagesLiteraturesandPerformingArts/PostgraduateResearc
handthePostgraduateCommunity/studentprofiles/
Paper Title: ‘Carbad in Irish place-names: chariot or boulder?’
Abstract: Ir. carbad, meaning ‘boulder’, is a word largely overlooked by dictionaries and known
primarily from its occurrence in Irish place-names. It appears to have no cognates in other Celtic
languages. In Modern Irish it is a homonym of carbad, ‘chariot’ (OIr. carpat), though it is probable that
the two words have quite separate etymologies. Some toponymists, notably P.W. Joyce, have
preferred the sense ‘chariot’ in the vast majority of place-names containing carbad. This is also the
sense typically attributed to such names when they occur in medieval dinnseanchas sources.
However, there is a consensus in current place-name scholarship that carbad refers to boulders in
certain names.
This paper aims to show how observation in the field and topographical analysis can help to ascertain
a reliable interpretation and concludes that the sense ‘boulder’ is probably much more common than
has heretofore been recognised. Carbad is one of a group of Irish words in car– denoting rock,
including carraig, carn, carrach and cairthe/coirthe. Parallels with Continential Celtic names and other
Continental European names in kar– + labial extension (karb– / karp– / kar(a)v–) referring to rock
features are discussed. It is proposed that carbad can be analysed as carb– ‘rock’ + suffix –ad. The
precise meaning of the suffix –ad/–aid is unclear, but it is familiar in other Irish place-name elements
such as caolad, dromad, leithead, fánaid.