Objections emerge over the renaming of Dingle to the Irish An Daingean as the official name for the tourism capital of West Kerry.
Kerry County Council has opened the way for a challenge to Gaeltacht Minister Éamon Ó Cuív's decision to change the name of Dingle to An Daingean. The change was made under the Official Languages Act. However, Kerry County Council has decided to hold a plebiscite on the name change among local people.
Objections to the renaming arose over fears that the change would damage the tourism industry in the region, as Dingle as a brand is known internationally. At a meeting of Kerry County Council, there were motions for the name of Dingle to be restored.
Councillors Séamus Cosaí Fitzgerald and Michael Healy Rae give their reactions to the news. Councillors Fitzgerald comments that
Dingle is a brand name recognised all over the world.
Councillor Healy Rae comments
The Minister has made a mistake in what he has done. The people in Dingle want to hold on to their name.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 18 July 2005. The reporter is Paschal Sheehy.
