An Dun reverts back to Dun Bleisce

The people of Doon are celebrating tonight after they succeeded in getting the original Irish translation for the village of Doon restored after it was changed.

For hundreds of years the Limerick village of Doon was known as Dun Bleisce which stands for ‘Fort of the Harlot’. In 2003 however, the Placename commission recommended that the official translation for Doon be changed to ‘An Dun’ as it “was the appropriate Irish name for the village”.

After a sustained campaign by locals which included a motion being adopted by Limerick County Council in November 2006 to request the name be changed back change to the original Dun Bleisce, the locals go their wish. Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Eamon O`Cuiv signed the name change tonight at a ceremony in Doon itself.

The Irish name ‘Dun Bleisce’ can apparently be traced back to the year 774.