A chara, – Further to Sean Glynn’s letter (June 11th), the placename is Bóthar Béal Átha an Rí, ie Athenry in English, meaning fortified town of the king. Regardless of singulars or plurals, the name is widely known as Béal Átha an Rí in the singular form and Mr Glynn is right that it ought not be changed willy-nilly.
Liam Ó Murchú (June 13th) is correct that Gallimh Siar and Gallimh Thiar don’t meant exactly the same thing, hence the confusion. Gallimh Thiar is West Galway, while Gallimh Siar is Galway Westbound; a comma before Siar in the Irish form and before Westbound in the English version might be clearer. Does accuracy matter? Well under the statutory legislation of Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003, our signs in Irish should be clear and accurate and should definitely be in Irish, and not Scots Gaelic as in the Bon Secours hospital sign. – Is mise,
AIFRIC MURRRAY,
Abbeyside,
Dungarvan, Co Waterford.