Since 1987 the Queen's University at Belfast has been developing the ‘Northern Ireland Place-Name Project’ and compiling an incredible database of names that sometimes date back over a thousand years.
In compiling the Derry city section the compendium draws heavily on John Bryson's seminal 'Derry's Streets'. Other sources, including George Vaughan Sampson's map of Co. Derry of 1814, are also cited.
Some of the meanings suggested in the database are open to interpretation and debate but make for fascinating reading.
Based in Queen’s University, the project works in collaboration with Land and Property Services in the Department of Finance in providing a free online database of our local place-names (www.placenamesni.org. This is accompanied by an interactive searchable map of historical names (townlands, parishes, baronies and counties) which is provided by LPS.
5. Colby Avenue (Ascaill Colby). There are several streets in Ballynashallog Ward named after people involved in the Ordnance Survey in the 1830s and 1840s when the first 6" series of maps were made. These are Colby Avenue, Drummond Park, Larcom Drive, O'Donovan Road and Petrie Way.
Colby Avenue (Ascaill Colby). There are several streets in Ballynashallog Ward named after people involved in the Ordnance Survey in the 1830s and 1840s when the first 6" series of maps were made. These are Colby Avenue, Drummond Park, Larcom Drive, O'Donovan Road and Petrie Way.
6. Culmore Point (Pointe and Cúile Móire). Culmore, derived from Ir. An Chúil Mhór 'the large nook/corner', is a townland in the parish of Templemore and an electoral ward. The name may refer to the curve in the shore of Lough Foyle at this point. Note that 'cúil' is a different element from 'cúl', 'back'.
Culmore Point (Pointe and Cúile Móire). Culmore, derived from Ir. An Chúil Mhór 'the large nook/corner', is a townland in the parish of Templemore and an electoral ward. The name may refer to the curve in the shore of Lough Foyle at this point. Note that 'cúil' is a different element from 'cúl', 'back'.
7. Cornshell Fields (Goirt Cheathrú na Saileach). Bryson suggests this may be a corruption of Ceathramha na Saileach (Willow quarter) or Garrdha na Saileach (willow garden or sally garden).).
Cornshell Fields (Goirt Cheathrú na Saileach). Bryson suggests this may be a corruption of Ceathramha na Saileach (Willow quarter) or Garrdha na Saileach (willow garden or sally garden).
8. Coney Road (Bóthar na gCoininí). Named from Coneyburrow, an area of Culmore, presumably from where rabbits were prevalent.
Coney Road (Bóthar na gCoininí). Named from Coneyburrow, an area of Culmore, presumably from where rabbits were prevalent.