Townlands named after Trees and Woodland

Trees were not only vital resources for the ancient Irish; many of them were sacred or spiritual entities. These beliefs survive into 21^st century in the form of fairy trees, one of which altered the route of a road project in Co Clare in order to protect it (Deegan, 1999). Therefore, it is not surprising that a number of townlands are named after native trees or woodland in the parish. Derrymore translates as the large oak grove, perhaps an indication of the extent of oak woodlands in the area during the medieval period. Beagh Beg/Beagh More translate as the small/large birch wood, while Skeaghbeg translates as the Small Whitethorn or Hawthorn Bush. Bunnasillagh translates as the Thicket of the willows/sally bushes, with Bunanraun translating as Anran’s thicket or Brushwood. Cloonnavarnoge translates as the Pasture or lawn of the alder trees. Three further townlands are named for woodlands. Bohercuill translates as the road of the hazel, Kilgarriff translates as the Rough Wood, while Kilroe translates as the Red or Russet Wood. The townland of Cave is also named after plant life; the townland translates as the place of the long grass or reeds.

Beagh Beg The small birch wood

Beagh More The large birch wood

Bohercuill The road of the hazel

Bunanraun Anran’s thicket or Brushwood or mouth or the Streamlet

Bunnasillagh Thicket of the willows/sally bushes

Cloonavarnoge Pasture/lawn of the alder trees

Derrymore Big Oak Grove

Skeaghbeg Small Whitethorn/Hawthorn Bush

Kilgarriff Rough Wood

Kilroe Red or Russet Wood

Cave The place of the long grass or reeds

 

Sources

Deegan, G. (1999) ‘Fairy bush survives the motorway planners’. Irish Times, 29 May (Online) Available from: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/fairy-bush-survives-the-motorway-planners-1.190053 Accessed 20/03/2026