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Irish town name deemed to be offensive by Facebook

Limerick woman in Effin battles with Facebook over village name

CATHAL DERVAN,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Saturday, December 3, 2011, 7:30 AM

Updated Saturday, December 3, 2011, 8:22 AM

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Ann Marie Kennedy wants Facebook to recognize her hometown of 'Effin.'

A Limerick woman is leading the battle to have her home village of Effin recognized by social network site Facebook.

Ann Marie Kennedy is taking on the giant corporation which has deemed the village name of Effin to be "offensive."

The 47-year-old University of Limerick worker has been annoyed at the site’s refusal to accept Effin as her homeplace on her Facebook profile.

She has also failed in an attempt to launch a Facebook campaign based on a "Please get my hometown Effin recognised" page on the website.

“It came back with an error message saying ‘offensive,'” Kennedy told the Irish Independent.
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“I would like to be able to put Effin on my profile page and so would many other Effin people around the world to proudly say that they are from Effin, Co Limerick, but it won’t recognize that.

“It keeps coming up as Effingham, Illinois; Effingham, New Hampshire; and it gives suggestions of other places.

“It will recognize Limerick but I’m not from Limerick city, I’m from Effin. I’m a proud Effin woman. And I always will be an Effin woman.”

Kennedy has vowed to carry on her battle until Effin gains official status on Facebook.

She added: “It’s just a pet peeve. It’s not fair really. It will let you put it in but when you go to save it - nothing. It’s like as if it’s blocked.

“I’ve tried contacting Facebook but it’s very hard to. You can’t pick up the phone. There is a forum on Facebook about home towns as other people are having problems as well.”

Although now resident in a nearby Limerick suburb, Kennedy was born in Effin and can trace her ancestors in the area back to 1857. The village has a population of around 1,000 and is situated 40km south of Limerick city near Charleville.

Nster.com

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32 Comments

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Scrivner | Dec 05, 2011, 03:57 PM EST

Too bad the former Illinois governor (now awaiting sentencing for corruption) did not use this in his defense strategy when tapes of him saying that the chance to appoint a replacement for Obama's Senate seat was, "Effin Golden!" Obvioussly Mayor Daley had described the wonders of Limerick, even tho his family was from Mayo.

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proudirishlass | Dec 05, 2011, 12:17 PM EST

Thank you SILLING you allowed me to indulge in the greatest therapy of all time LAUGHTER. ps my son just read your comment and was rolling on the floor too. Have a safe and happy Christmas.

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sunspotter5 | Dec 05, 2011, 09:09 AM EST

That's effed.

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irelandvacations | Dec 05, 2011, 08:09 AM EST

Well I can understand if it was the town named Dingle. But Effin?? And some of the other nasty words on Facebook are much worse

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KSERRAHN | Dec 05, 2011, 08:07 AM EST

I find nothing offensive at all. With all the crap that's on Facebook now REALLY, COME ON.

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kilarney06 | Dec 04, 2011, 07:31 PM EST

Not as bad as Intercourse Pennsylvania I'll bet!

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Towngate | Dec 04, 2011, 04:19 PM EST

Hi Cuddly! - I am clearly far from what you attempt to imply!...and I can at least spell it! ~~ Which branch of science is "Misgynology? ~~~ Look: If you were not the same as this kennedy one,but engaged your brain before being sexist yourself, you would know that someone who points out the ones like her,is in turn praising and drawing attention to all the beautiful brilliant women who use their natural talents properly! ~ I note you do not contradict my description of her photograph and also your rash assumption as to my gender!!! ... so think on, braingirl! X X Ps:-(ask Santa to bring you a Dictionary!)

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cuddlybuddly | Dec 04, 2011, 01:39 PM EST

What's the effin problem? don't mind Towngate clearly a misgynist who should Eff off

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derrymarch | Dec 04, 2011, 01:10 PM EST

Excellent

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cuddlybuddly | Dec 04, 2011, 11:22 AM EST

What's the Effin problem...you go girl...don't mind Towngate He is clearly an effin mesogynist who should eff off

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Towngate | Dec 04, 2011, 10:18 AM EST

... just another badly groomed, badly dressed overweight middle-aged biddy with too much time on her hands, screaming for attention about an organisation who won't allow her to give the name of a place she no longer lives in, as her address!

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profjulienne | Dec 04, 2011, 09:24 AM EST

nice one donegalcali, wish I had thought up that one. My first thought was for God and his Joly Mother's sake, with all the junk that goes on Facebook this is hysterical. How many other works in any other language are considered offensive? It is a lot of rot!! Take bollix for example Merriam Webster's defines that as "throwing into disorder", so never mind the bollix conjures up fond memories of Sid Vicious to me!!!!!!!!!

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donegalcali | Dec 03, 2011, 08:44 PM EST

ah for effin sake.

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borefield | Dec 03, 2011, 08:20 PM EST

Eifinn would be accepted by Facebook, she is just looking for attention by omitting the (I) and she is certainly getting the attention. I must admit all the responses were pretty funny.

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timbobdennehy | Dec 03, 2011, 07:37 PM EST

i have nothing to say other than ,this is an effin tradgedy,anyone one else have effin to say about it,you are probably an effin yank,not from effin,co limerick.

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