What's in a name? Contest lets students float it and see

Long Eireannach (LE) Maud Gonne, LE Anna Parnell, LE Mary (as in Harney or O'Rourke or GeogheganQuinn) . . . . Should one of these be your suggested name for the State's new Naval Service ship, you are unlikely to take away the £500 cash first prize.

The Minister for Defence, Michael Smith, has invited the State's 350,000 second-level school pupils to come up with 350,000 different names for the £20 million ship, which is due for delivery next June. There are certain constraints, however: the suggested title must be female, and drawn from a charter in Celtic mythology, legend or ancient/medieval Irish history. (Even if some bright young sparks might regard the 20th century as "medieval".)

Eight characters have already been "booked" - the fleet currently bears the names of Eithne, Aisling,Aoife, Emer, Orla, Ciara, Deirdre and Roisin on ships' hulls. Other names already allotted to former vessels in the fleet include Macha, Maev, Cliona, Banba, Fola and Grainne.

However, there are still plenty of mythical and historical figures to choose from. Given that the Minister for Defence is a good Tipperary man, a name like Gobnait - she being a celebrated Munster virgin - might go down well.

In fact virgins abound in the Gill and Macmillan "dictionary", Irish Names for Children by Patrick Woulfe. Caoilfhionn or Keelin might pose problems in terms of international maritime communications, but it is the name of a "slender" (caol) and "fair" (fionn) virgin who is venerated on February 3rd.

Then there's Brighid, Bebhinn, Ide, Fionnuala, and the celebrated Mayo pirate queen, Granuaile - though that may seem too close to the former Grainne. Entrants must submit an essay of 500 words explaining why the name is appropriate and outlining its connection to Irish/Celtic mythology, legend or ancient/medieval Irish history.

Prizes are on offer to three winners, one of whom will witness the naming ceremony at Appledore Shipyard in Devon, with parents or a guardian (transport and accommodation thrown in!). First prize is £500, and attendance at the naming and commissioning ceremonies. Second and third prizes are £200 and £100 respectively, and attendance at the commissioning ceremony in the Naval Base, Haulbowline, Co Cork.

Closing date for entries is December 15th, and details are on the Naval Service website (www.military.ie/navy).