DINNSEANCHAS
Limavady, Léim an Mhadaidh, ‘leap of the dog’
The Irish word for leap, léim, is often associated with a crossing point for animals, usually a narrow part of a river where they crossed by bounding from one bank to the other.
Examples include Lemnalary (Léim na Lárach ‘leap of the mare’) in Co. Antrim and Lemnagore (Léim na nGabhar ‘leap of the goats’) in Co. Armagh.
Sometimes, folk etymologies emerge with an alternative explanation of léim. Limavady (Léim an Mhadaidh ‘leap of the dog’) is said to have its origin in a legend about a dog belonging to a chieftain of the O’Kanes leaping over the river Roe to carry a message of danger to the O’Kane castle which formerly stood south of the modern town of Limavady.
For more information, go to The Place-Name Project, Queen’s University (@placenamesni)
SEANFHOCAL
Ní thuigeann an sách an seang.The well-fed (person) does not understand the amaciated (person).This proverb came to mind when I read that the British government had voted against extending free school meals to disadvantaged children during the holidays and during this time of global pandemic.Fair play to Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford who championed the case for putting food into children’s mouths at this horrible time.The phrase that most appalled me was from Tory MP Brendan Clarke-Smith who said: “I do not believe in nationalising children. We need to get back to the idea of taking responsibility. This means less celebrity virtue signalling on Twitter by proxy.”Sickening.