Donegal's Donnchadh Ó Baoill appointed to the New Placenames Committee

Donnchadh Ó Baoill with Éamonn Ó Ciardha and students from NE Boston University, who recently visited the Donegal Gaeltacht, on a tour about Irish minor placenames in the Rosses area

placeholder image — Donnchadh Ó Baoill with Éamonn Ó Ciardha and students from NE Boston University, who recently visited the Donegal Gaeltacht, on a tour about Irish minor placenames in the Rosses area

The main responsibility of the Placenames Committee is to advise the Minister on confirming Irish versions of Irish placenames under the Official Languages Act

Minister of State Thomas Byrne TD has announced the appointment of Donnchadh Ó Baoill to the New Placenames Committee.

Minister of State Byrne is responsible for the Irish language and Gaeltacht affairs in the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

Ó Baoill is a Development Executive with Údarás na Gaeltachta in Doirí Beaga and has expertise in placenames of western Donegal. In addition, he has a keen interest in placenames, environmental issues, and local history. He is active in several community organisations where these themes are central to their work and regularly gives presentations on these subjects.

The main responsibility of the Placenames Committee is to advise the Minister on confirming Irish versions of Irish placenames under the Official Languages Act. The Committee will focus on transforming draft placename orders for several counties into placename orders.

Speaking about the appointment, Minister of State Byrne said: "The country's placenames are an extremely valuable part of our heritage, deeply rooted in our people's culture. The new Committee has a crucial role to play, with support from the Placenames Branch staff in my Department, in advising me on the confirmed Irish versions of the State's placenames."

The Placenames Committee has a three-year term, and members serve voluntarily.