The name Ahoghill confuses many musicians who play the town’s Diamond Rock Club. Fans chuckle when American musicians loudly shout from the stage that “It’s great to be in A Hog Hill”
Here are just some of the names mangled by visitors (and some locals too). What would you add?
5. Strangford, Co Down
Viking invaders and settlers noticed the strong tidal currents and dubbed it Strangr fjörðr, meaning strong ford/sea-inlet. The Norse would be confused when the town is called Strang-furred. Nobody tells them the ferry goes to Portaferry, it will only confuse them more. Photo: Tourism Ireland.
6. Dungiven, Co Derry / Londonderry
It has nothing to do with dung, but some call it Dung-Eye-Ven when referring to the town. Try saying that in an American accent. It is from the Irish "Dún Geimhin," meaning "Geimhin's fort," not a mention of cow manure there. Photo: Google
7. Maghera / Magherafelt
Double trouble here trying to explain you do not pronounce the ‘g’. Visitors look at the spelling, while we patiently explain they are pronounced Ma-Hera and Ma-hera-felt, not Mag-hair-ah or Mag-hera-felt. Both come from the Irish roots, with Maghera meaning plain of the ring fort and Magherafelt meaning plain of Fíolta. Photo: Google
8. Ahoghill
The bane of American musicians and many more just remind those struggling you don’t emphasise the hog part and say Ah-hog-hill quickly. It has quite a romantic origin that has nothing to do with porcine species. It comes from the Irish Achadh Eochaille, meaning field of the yew forest. Of course, there are many, many more place names that have tongues twisted and jaws aching, just remember you can just politely remind those who struggle with them that it’s close, but not close enough. Photo: Google