Knockbridge locals left 'put out' by new Irish signage in village

People in Knockbridge have been left "put out" by new signage that refers to the village as Cnoc na Droichead as Gaeilge, according to Sinn Féin councillor Sionnain McCann. 

Cllr McCann raised the issue at the April meeting of the Dundalk Municipal District. 

She said she had never heard the village be referred to as Cnoc na Droichead, and said "everyone refers to it as Cnoc Bride". 

"As an Irish speaker everyone refers to it as Cnoc Bride and when you look at the pub, the GAA club, the school, the heritage trail, the only place name they use as Gaeilge is Cnoc Bride." 

"When I raised this I was told that Cnoc na Droichead is the official name on Logainm. When you go onto Logainm and look at the documents which aren’t even verified or official. Most of them also use Cnoc Bride, they also use Baile Atha Cnoc," she said. 

Logainm is a database for Irish place names. 

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The Sinn Féin councillor said people in the area have been "put out" by the different name. 

"They’re a little bit off put by this. They think Cnoc Bride is really important to the heritage of the place and the connection Knockbridge has to St Brigid. 

It would be really disappointing to brush over this and sort of erase that local history," she said.

Cllr McCann said she couldn't understand why Louth County Council could not include both names on the new signage, and said there is "plenty of space for it". 

A spokesperson for Louth County Council said the name was provided to the local authority, but would look into the issue. 

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.