Talking about Thomond

Madam, - As someone who grew up in its vicinity, attended it regularly and played in it as a teenager, may I plead for the correct…

Madam, - As someone who grew up in its vicinity, attended it regularly and played in it as a teenager, may I plead for the correct - as distinct from the posh - pronunciation of the name of that world-famous rugby ground in Limerick city?

"Posh speak" - as used, for instance by media talking-heads - pronounces the first syllable as in the word "toe". Colloquial usage pronounces the first syllable as in the word "too". This is correct because it exactly conveys the sound of the Irish word which Thomond simply Anglicises, i.e. Tuadh Mhumhan.

Interestingly, the name occurs in 10th century manuscripts spelt Toomon. In those it is referring to the O'Briens lordship, roughly Co Clare. - Yours, etc.,

BRENDAN BRADSHAW, Marist Fathers, Mount St Mary's, Milltown, Dublin 14.