Placenames Commission to consider Irish version of Gort

County Councillors this week agreed on a motion that the town be officially known in the Irish language as its former name of Gort Inse guaire.

The town takes its name from King Guaire, the sixth century King of Connacht, who built a castle there.

It’s currently referred to on tourist information signage as ‘An Gort’.

The placenames commission advises the Minister for Arts, heritage and the Gaeltacht on the Irish versions of placenames throughout the country.

Councillor Pat Hynes says the present Irish version is incorrect and needs to be changed.