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 – An Bheitheach Beag The small birch wood

Beagh More – An Bheitheach Mór The large birch wood

Bohercuill – Bóthar Coill The road of the hazel

Bunanraun – Bun a tSrothain/Mhuine Ánráin Anran’s thicket or Brushwood or mouth or the Streamlet

Bunnasillagh – Bun na Saileach/Mhuine Saileach Thicket of the willows/sally bushes

Cloonavarnoge – Cluain na bhFearnóg Pasture/lawn of the alder trees

Derrymore – Doire Mór Big Oak Grove

Skeaghbeg – An Sceach Bheag Small Whitethorn/Hawthorn Bush

Kilgarriff– An Choill Gharabh Rough Wood

Kilroe – An Choill Rua Red or Russet Wood

Cave – An Cheibh 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

Ó Muraíle, N. (2020) ‘The Placenames of Cathair Loistreáin/Caherlustraun ‘Caherlistrane’ and Vicinity’ 06 February. Donaghpatrick/Kilcoona Heritage Society