Political opponents in Co Laois have united to condemn the designation of Portlaoise on road signs on the M7 motorway and the N7. Most locals agree that the bypass built just over a year ago has been a good thing for the town, drawing away heavy goods traffic: however, discussion at recent council meetings has focused on signs designed to direct passing trade to the town.
The problem is that while the English name of every other community, from the city of Cork to the nearby townland of The Heath, is designated in large bold letters on signs in the area, Portlaoise is just given in Irish. In its Irish form, Portlaoise is divided into two words, Port Laoise. It's also printed only in italics.
The National Roads Authority says this is because its Traffic Signs Manual directs that where the English and Irish language words for a town are the same, its name is printed solely in Irish.
The local Fine Gael TD, Mr Charlie Flanagan, says the signs give rise to great confusion. "I have absolutely no doubt about the detrimental effect this is having on the commercial life of the town. People just don't know where to turn off the motorway. Even delivery trucks and business representatives have complained of having difficulty in finding the town."
An alternative form of sign, which features the town's name in larger italic lettering, has found little favour with councillors. A spokesman for the National Roads Authority told The Irish Times that the authority is in discussion with the Laois County Engineer to find a way of resolving the impasse without breaking the guidelines set out in its manual. In the meantime, if local Fianna Fail councillor Mr Joseph Dunne is to be taken at his word, getting to Portlaoise will remain "a treasure hunt" for the uninitiated.
