Dún Bleisce is Officially Re-Instated as the Proper Name for Doon
Below is the address given by Fr. Tony Ryan P.P.
Mr. Chairman, Mr Eamon O'Cuiv, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Elected Representatives / Distinguished Guests agus Muintir Dún Bleisce.
Tá Fáilte Róimh go Léir.
I Iontach an lá é seo.
Lá Stairúil áthasach
Agus cuireann sé áthas orm Fáilte a chur roimh gach duine anseo inniu.
Is pribhléid mór dom labhairt ar son muintir Dún Bleisce.
We are greatly honoured to have you Minister Eamon O'Cuiv amongst us today to officially announce the "Placenames Order of 2007", and restore Dún Bleisce as the Gaelic name for Doon.
I feel it is only appropriate and fitting that on this historic occasion that I should give a brief outline of the process that has led to this definitive moment.
Away back in the mists of time- 500 B.C. and before perhaps, when only the
Gaelic tongue was spoken in this country — Doon was known as Dún Bleisce. Many
years later when writing was introduced, we have clear historical evidence for
this with the 1st written reference to Dún Bleisce in the Annals of Innisfallen
in 774 and again in the Book of Ballymote 1390.
What is its meaning? Dún Bleisce - well as we translate - Dun obviously refers
to Fort: Now there are thousands of Duns or Forts all over Ireland—all
associated with or named after either people , historical occasions or land
features— Dun Laoghaire, Dun Gourney, Dunloy, Dunmore, Dunamaggin, Dunshoughlin
— nearer home and down the road Donohill, Dunaskeigh, Dundrum. I could go on,
but this district, parish, village is Dun Bleisce.
So who or what is Bleisce?
Is this the name of a powerful woman who ruled the area or is it a word which
translates - harlot or woman of ill repute? or is it as scholarship and research
would indicate and as no less an authority than Padraic O'Dineen's acclaimed
Dictionary would clarify and let us not forget that his work is recognised as
"THE" authority on the Irish language - states that Bleisc, when used as the
name of a place simply means -a place which changes its leader often - the
analogy is obvious - Doon/Dún Bleisce changed their rulers - leaders on a
regular basis and hence the name. Be that as it may - the ancient name Dún
Bleisce was the Gaelic name for our lovely village for centuries going back to
pre Christian times.
However, from the late 17 Century until the beginning of the 20th Century - it
underwent a process of Anglicisation as most place-names did due to wars and
subsequent plantations. Irish was lost as the vernacular. Dún Bleisce became
anglicised as Doon. However, in 1926 - Dún Bleisce was revived once more as the
Gaelic name for Doon as it had always been the Irish name for Doon.
Then in 1975 - the First Place Names Order replaced it with "An Dun". Nobody was
aware of this. Dún Bleisce continued to be used by all.
A second - Place Names Order which came into operation on 30th October, 2003
sealed the first. "An Dún" appeared on the road signs erected by the council.
Dun Bleisce was actually gone for 33 years from 1975 - 2008.
The people of Dún Bleisce wanted to retain the ancient name of their village and
they took umbrage with the Placenames Commission. There was anger, frustration,
disbelief. Bearing in mind the abundance of forts or duns in our country. But
what could be done?
Now all good causes require a visionary, a co-ordinator, a leader, a person
informed, totally committed with courage and foresight, idealistic and confident
with the ability to motivate and Dún Bleisce was fortunate to have that person
in Br. Dan Fitzgerald. Br. Dan put the facts before the people and Dún Bleisce
responded. 1200 people signed a petition. We want Dun Bleisce restored - this is
the overwhelming wish of the entire parish.
Contact was made with Office of Place-names in Dublin. It was explained to them
that Dún Bleisce was the ancient name and the name we all preferred. It was
never called "An Dún" - but did the Office listen Oh no!
They knew better and so they turned down the request in June 2006.
Limerick County Council was contacted and asked to help. At their June meeting
in 2006 they unanimously supported a motion proposed by Mary Jackman for the
restoration of Dún Bleisce. This was forwarded to the Place Names Office in
Dublin. It was not accepted. The members were asked to debate it again, in the
light of further information from the Place Names Office. The members of
Limerick County Council again unanimously supported the return of Dún Bleisce.
Minister Eamon O'Cuiv, because of its attested historical basis, published a
draft Place Names Order in April 2007, which came into effect in April 2008. Dún
Bleisce was finally restored. Thanks to Limerick County Council. Without their
support it would not have been done. Sincere thanks to Minister Eamon O'Cuiv who
disregarded the Place Names Office in this instance and granted our request.
Nar laga Dia A lámh go deo. Fáilte, Minister O Cuiv arís agus ar son muintir Dún Bleisce míle Buíochas.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh goléir.
