Danish Influences

Family Names

Many families in this area such as the Kettles, Harfords, Halls, Eivers (Mac Ivar), Mc Kitterick (Mac Sitric), Wilsons and Mac Auley (Mac Amhlaoif) are reputed to be of Danish origin. The town of Baldoyle (Baile Dubh Ghaill – the town of the dark strangers) is called after the Danes.

Place Names

The Danish words for island are “holm” and “ay”. The latter was often written “ey” or “eye”. Thus, we read the names, Dalk-ey, Ireland’s Eye, Lamb-ay (meaning lamb island) and Holmpatrick (Patrick’s Island). Holmpatrick in Skerries is not St Patrick’s Island now, but the area opposite it. Skerries” is the Danish word for sea-rocks.