The etymology of Carrick-a-Rede / Carrickarade, the small island world famous for its rope bridge, situated off the north coast of Antrim is often a subject of
discussion, given its profile as a tourist destination.
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| Carraig Dhroichid (Rock of [the] Bridge), Co. Aontroma |
It is often stated, like many other place-names that "nobody know's what it means," again, not true.
It is often claimed that it is derived from the Irish Carraig a' Róid / Ráid, meaning 'rock of the road'.
This is somewhat fanciful and it almost certainely incorrect although the anglicised form 'Carrick-a-Rede' is most likely grounded in this belief.
This is the record on logainm.ie, quoting the 'Place-Names of Northern Ireland volume 7'.
This is somewhat fanciful and it almost certainely incorrect although the anglicised form 'Carrick-a-Rede' is most likely grounded in this belief.
This is the record on logainm.ie, quoting the 'Place-Names of Northern Ireland volume 7'.
Carraig an Ráid
gin. Charraig an Ráid
ainm neamhdheimhnithe(Gaeilge)
Carrickarede Island(Béarla)
the rock of the casting?Pléitear an fhianaise stairiúil in Place-Names of Northern Ireland iml. 7, 85
One must consider however, despite this entry, that the matter is at least academically settled with Professor Greg Toner's article on the subject which concludes that Carrick-a-Rede / Carrickarade is derived from the Irish ...
Carraig Dhroichid, meaning ‘The Rock of (the) Bridge’[1]
This explanation is of course, completely obvious.
It is also scientifically grounded in the linguistics of East Ulster Irish.
Update :
Toner points out in the article that the lack of the an article suggests that Carraig Droichid could be an abbreviated from.
For example (there is no evidence for this form though it makes good sense), the original form could have been something like this ...
Carraig Dhroichid na mBradán 'Rock of the Salmon's Bridge'
Perhaps I could offer another explanation for Carrick a rede. As a Spanish/Catalan speaker which languages take many words from latin I recognised straight away that rede or more specifically rete is Latin for 'net'. Wouldn't it make more sense to be the "rock of the net"- "Carrick a rete". Regards Ralph Freeman
ReplyDeleteWe Gaels already have more than our fill of ignorant Anglophone linguistic imperialism, and we've no need for ignorant Latin linguistic imperialism on top of it.
DeleteThis is ludicrous, as if I were to suggest Madrid is actually "Place of the Dogs" because our word meaning "dogs" is madraí. (Except that in the case of my little joke here the sounds involved have actually got some faint resemblance, since I have a modest acquaintance with the sounds of Spanish, whereas you clearly have none whatsoever with my language.)
Just saw this. I'm in Galloway, just across the Moyle. Just a thought. Given Bruce's connections to nearby Rathlin my first thought was Carraig na Righ - the King's Rock. That would, of course mean the 'd' was aspirated.
ReplyDeleteSorry, should have added my name.
ReplyDeleteRobert Bruce was, and remained, Earl of Carrick when he was made King of Scots on 25th March 1306. On June 19th of the same year he was defeated at Methven, took to the heather (so to speak) and eventually made his way out of Scotland, in September, following another defeat at Dal Righ. It's not sure where he went, but the most likely place, favoured by Geoffrey W. S. Barrow whose book on Bruce still remains the best, is Rathlin Island, which the above poster notes is nearby. Incidentally, twice in conversation with me, Professor Barrow indicated his conviction that the Bruces were related to the O'Neils, no doubt through the mother of the most famous Robert Bruce, the one who became Scotland's king. It was through her, too, that the Bruces inherited the Earldom of Carrick. As I remember the conversations with Professor Barrow, he was in correspondence with a genealogist in North America (a Canadian, I think, but maybe someone from the USA) who had researched the matter. One of King Robert's brothers, who was captured and executed by Edward I soon after the defeat at Methven, was called Neil.
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ReplyDelete