Placenames can be confusing, especially for the visitor. In almost all cases the original name is in Irish and has a relatively clear meaning which often conveys something of the history of the place. However, English rule meant that placenames were anglicised to suit the English tongue; often the result is that the name on the map is a mangled version of the real name and hides its meaning.

It can also make things difficult for the visitor, like this:

Dingle's proper name is Daingean Uí Chúis which, to fit on signposts, is generally abbreviated to An Daingean, but any foreigner can be forgiven for finding it difficult to match the two forms of the name in Irish with the anglicised version, Dingle!