THE DEBATE over what to call the Co Kerry town referred to variously as “Dingle”, “An Daingean” and “Daingean Uí Chúis” is nearing an end today, with a motion to restore the bilingual placename of Dingle/Daingean Uí Chúis being passed.

The Dáil voted to amend “the name of An Daingean to Daingean Uí Chúis in the Irish language and Dingle in the English language”.

The Bill must now go on the Seanad before becoming law.

Read the Dáil Order Paper (pg 643) >

The decision has brought to a conclusion a long-running controversy, which began in 2005 when the then Minister for the Environment Éamon Ó Cuív changed the town’s name from Dingle to An Daingean under the Official Languages Act. Subsequently, road signs and ordnance survey maps could no longer legally carry the name “Dingle”, nor could it be used in legislation.

It is hoped that the restoration of the bilingual name will assist tourism in the area, that may have been affected by the change in 2005.