Now that the town of Effin has been banned from Facebook because its name sounded vaguely dirty, what other towns in Ireland might suffer the same faith given their somewhat risque proper names?
Here’s ten we can suggest for starters.
Hackballscross in North Louth:
Local history says it is called that because in the 18th century men described as rebels or thieves were hacked to bits after attacking a local landlord. It sounds awful and no doubt it was.
Effin in Limerick:
The town where all the Facebook controversy arose from. It actually comes from the name of an Irish Saint - St. Eimhin, pronounced Effin.
Termonfeckin in Louth:
Termon the word for a church and Feckin from St. Fechin, a local saint who built his church there
Ballsbridge Dublin:
A very posh neighborhood which is called after a bridge built by a Mr Ball across the Dodder river
Blue Ball in Offaly:
An Phallis, in Gaelic, no reason why it is translated Blue Ball -- unknown
Kill in County Kildare:
Kill is Gaelic for church
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Muff in Donegal:
Is from the Gaelic ‘magh’ meaning a plain. And yes there is a diving club there too.
Kilcock, County Kildare:
Church of St Cocc, allegedly a sister of St Kevin
Nobber, County Meath:
From the Gaelic meaning An Obair, the work, meaning there was a workhouse there.
Shercock in Cavan:
From Seacog, meaning Young Love.
None are as bad as some English place names, Toad in the Hole etc.
16 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.johnshiel | Dec 08, 2011, 07:53 PM EST
"stuff happens" in Feakle!
IrelandNorth | Dec 07, 2011, 09:18 AM EST
Hackballscross/Schmachkballscross! I think that Jewish-American Facebook guy is pulling our Irish schnitzles? I blame it all on those Anglo-Saxons who transliterated Gaelic placenames into English, because they didn't know their Irish Knocknagoshels from their Poulaphouca's.
DanOLoingsigh | Dec 06, 2011, 08:08 AM EST
AlunPalmer - You've never been to Toad in the Hole, 'cos there's no such place...can't understand why the author has not corrected his error? Stillorgan, anybody?
Towngate | Dec 06, 2011, 07:44 AM EST
It seems that the old churches and saints are responsible for most of dis shokkin' filt in holy uurlan'. > > > Irishbob: Spot on! It IS only the beginning ... and what is worse: there is no escape!!! Big Brother has been watching for some time! Meantime, Cockermouth in Cumbria UK is well worth a visit!
bogsidebunny | Dec 06, 2011, 01:30 AM EST
There's a Bastardstown in Co. Wexford, or how about Athy, Co. Offaly?
AlunPalmer | Dec 06, 2011, 01:17 AM EST
Toad in the hole is great when done right. It's just a banger (sausage) surrounded by Yorkshire pudding (made from a sort of batter), that's all. Don't know about the place of that name - never been there.
fromGort | Dec 05, 2011, 09:34 PM EST
I think Facebook would have even more trouble with the Gaelic for Blue Ball (An Phallis) at least 'symbolicly'
cillowen | Dec 05, 2011, 06:07 PM EST
england's - a few --- Ashbourne Barton-upon-Humber Bournemouth Burton upon Trent Hornsea Kirton-in-Lindsey Nuneaton
rugbyplayer | Dec 05, 2011, 05:06 PM EST
What about Sacred Heart, Precious Blood, Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus, Immaculate Conception, etc.? All bloody or sexual in nature! Stop the adolescent right wing evangelical and puritan-inspired power grabs to see if they can influence public policy in Eire and the USA (i.e., objections to a Ben and Jerry's name for a recent ice cream product by fundies in the USA) What's next on these idiots' agenda: change the name for the WW II famous Battle of the Bulge? Eire should not change any town or village name to satisfy any group's moronic objections.
IAPRINCESS | Dec 05, 2011, 01:00 PM EST
Anyone with a reasonable brain would know that the town names are NOT PROFANITY! Grow up Facxebook.
Willipotts | Dec 05, 2011, 11:51 AM EST
And Climax in Michigan!
peterson | Dec 05, 2011, 11:21 AM EST
What a ---about Intercourse, -- a town in Pennsylvania USA. Doesn't that ring a bell ? It is an Amish comunity.
MotherIrish | Dec 05, 2011, 09:39 AM EST
Oh Poo on FB. These are neat names. Am I allowed to say poo by the way?
irishbob | Dec 05, 2011, 09:28 AM EST
Facebook has decided, on its own, that it should be the watch dog of the world. It's not just the banning of towns because it does not like its name, either. FB is not telling you that it is tracking every move you make. Even if you use your mobile phone, FB is able to track where you go and who you call. Don't believe me? Go to CNET.COM and check it out. The article will tell you how to turn off the FB tracker. This is only the start of things to come. Do like I did and delete your name from FB all together. You'll thank me later.
irishbob | Dec 05, 2011, 09:23 AM EST
Only dirty, if you feel dirty in yourself. Cognitive projection at its best.
DanOLoingsigh | Dec 05, 2011, 09:18 AM EST
To the writer - pray tell us in which county we will find Toad in the Hole? It's an English pub meal....and none too pleasant...