FIONTAR has created the Placenames Database of Ireland in collaboration with The Placenames Branch (Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht). This is a comprehensive management system for data, archival records and placenames research conducted by the State. The public website is primarily aimed at journalists and translators, students and teachers, historians and researchers in genealogy. It is a public resource for Irish people at home and abroad, and for all those who appreciate the rich heritage of Irish placenames.

Work commenced on Phase I of the project in April 2007 and the Placenames Database of Ireland was launched at the beginning of October 2008. During Phase II (2009-2010), the following resources were added to the site: sound files of placenames; mapping tools; educational resources for primary and third level students; a system to enable simultaneous Irish-English and English-Irish translation of lists of placenames; supplementary aids for the public including explanatory notes on certain features of the placenames; and scanned images of some historical source material (under ‘Archival records’).

Phase III (2011-2012) is currently in progress and the following outputs are planned:

• Educational resources for second level students.

• New and improved mapping features.

• Export and import facilities.

• The development of a tool to translate/explain common elements of placenames.

• Sound files for 8 additional counties.

www.logainm.ie won the European Language Label in 2010 and was category winner at the 2011 Irish eGovernment Awards.

This project is supported by the National Lottery.