Legal name established for Laois Village with 'contradictory' signage
Research was required due to “contradictory” Irish spellings in the Laois village
A Laois village where signage contained different name spellings required research before a legal Irish language placename was established.
The issue arose at Killesmeestia village where a Council meeting was told there was contradictory spelling of the village name on signage.
Cllr John King tabled a motion asking "that this Council give an update on when the village name signs for Killesmeestia village will be erected, as requested by me over a year ago after my engagement with the Killesmeestia Tidy Towns committee regarding the logo and proper spelling for the sign Itself.”
In a written response, the Municipal District office stated that: “These signs are in place. The logo for the sign was provided to the Council by the community. Road signage in the area has contradictory Irish spellings for the village. The Council and the sign supplier independently researched the Irish spelling for Killasmeestia. The Placenames (County Laois) Order 2018 is a statutory instrument that officially establishes and declares the legal Irish-language versions of placenames in County Laois. The legal Irish language placename for Killasmesstia is Coill an Smíste.”
Welcoming the response, Cllr King said “the sign went up there on Monday last.” He praised the community in Killasmesstia.
“When any village sign goes up there is always controversy over the spelling of words and logos and so on,” he said.
Cllr Conor Bergin seconded the motion and said “they are a great community out there in Killasmesstia.” He said it was great to see the signage up and the efforts of such communities to reflect the history and character of the area should always be supported.
The issue was discussed during the October meeting of Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District.