Fingal Fieldnames recorded in the Project now available to view on database

The Fingal Fieldnames Project has reached a milestone as the names recorded so far have now been made available online for the first time. In a collaboration between Christine Baker, Fingal Heritage Officer and Mairéad Nic Lochlainn of Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge, Dublin City University the information has been made available on the Meithael Logainm.ie site.

The Fingal Fieldnames Project aims to explore and record the rich legacy of fieldnames and related heritage in our local landscapes. Every field in Fingal, and across Ireland, has a name or had one in the past. Names may derive from the topography of the land, or from the owners, or may describe the purpose of the field, its size or may relate to some event that took place in the field. Together these names tell us much about the history and heritage of our local landscapes.

Since 2018, volunteers across the county were given the training by Abarta Heritage to record the field names of their localities. They have been consulting old maps and documents, speaking to farmers and gathering as much knowledge as they can. 'Back of the Yard', 'Front of the House', 'Ladies Stairs', 'Long Leg' and 'Collier’s Horn' are just some of the field names in Fingal which have been collected.

Now you can view the results to date, of the Fingal Fieldnames project on https://meitheal.logainm.ie/fingal-fieldnames/ . Meitheal Loganim.ie is a tool for storing and sharing placename data. Developed by Gaois, Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge, DCU, in collaboration with the Placenames Branch of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Meitheal Logainm.ie gives users the opportunity to promote the cultural heritage of the country in the digital age by mapping and sharing fieldnames and minor placenames online.

Mayor of Fingal Cllr David Healy said: “It is fantastic to see the results of the research done so far in the Fingal Fieldnames Project now available and accessible to the public.  Seeing the results mapped in this way may encourage others to get involved in this project.”

 ‘It is an important step to be able to display the hard work of our volunteers so far’ said Fingal Heritage Officer Christine Baker ‘and to bring awareness to the public of the importance of recording a vital piece of intangible heritage before it is lost.’

Mairéad Nic Lochlainn of Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge said ‘Meitheal Loganim.ie enables the preservation of minor placenames and fieldnames data and the project team is delighted that the Fingal Fieldnames Project is now available to view’.

The project is ongoing and new volunteers are welcome to get involved while it may not be possible to do interviews or some of the fieldwork involved with the project at present.

Chief Executive of Fingal AnnMarie Farrelly commented: “The Fingal Fieldnames Project has been a great success so far in recording an important aspect of our Fingal Heritage. Much of the research can be done online through maps and other sources so it is an excellent project to get involved with during Covid-19 restrictions.”

The Fingal Fieldnames handbook, developed by Abarta Heritage is available to download from the Fingal County Council website https://www.fingal.ie/council/service/fingal-fieldnames-project and further information is available from the Heritage Officer. The Fingal Fieldnames Project is an action of the Fingal Heritage Plan 2018-2023.

Christine Baker, Heritage Officer, Fingal County Council [email protected]