Sinn Fein representative, Barry McElduff, said the move, if accepted, would be a significant step towards raising the profile of townlands and recognising how valued they are by many local people.

The West Tyrone MLA is Chairman of the Assembly’s Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee, which requested that government bodies establish the practice. He said:

“We are asking government to take the lead on this issue and actively preserve and promote townland names by adopting them into their official addresses.

“This would be a significant step in terms of raising the profile of townlands and recognizing how valued they are by many people. We hope that this initiative will be taken on board by elected representatives and will lead to townland names finding their way back into popular usage.”

Mr McElduff, who is from the townland of Aghagogan (“field where giddy headed people congregate”), continued:

“It is important not only to preserve townland names but to actively promote them within local communities. Townland names are in the common ownership of the entire community and all traditions. Everyone shares a great passion for them and they are an important part of our shared heritage.”

This latest move reflects the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee’s ongoing work to bring townland names back into popular usage.

In June last year, the Committee organised a major seminar at Parliament Buildings to promote and raise awareness of townland names which was attended by a range of experts and enthusiasts.