Irish town name change row goes to vote

Dingle, or, to give it its proper, official name these days, An Daingean, is in County Kerry. It's an old seaside town with a rich history. Last year, a new law meant Dingle's official name was changed to An Daingean (pronounced "on dang-un"). On maps, local authority road signs and legal documents, it's become An Daingean. The change was part of the Irish government's efforts to protect and promote the ancient Irish language. That's not an easy task, with English the dominant tongue in so many aspects of daily life. Not everyone, however, was pleased about the change. So Kerry County Council is holding a referendum on what the town's name should be. The choice, as with the whole debate, is anything but straightforward. Voters can decide between An Daingean on the one hand, or Dingle-Daingean ui Chuis. The vote is a postal ballot, and with 1222 eligible voters, 612 votes are needed to carry the day.

 

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