Naming and Numbering of New Development
While the responsibility for proposing naming and numbering schemes for new developments rests with the developer, the Council advises developers of requirements and approves the eventual scheme. The use of the Irish language exclusively is encouraged.
It is Council policy that the name chosen for a development must reflect the local and/or historical context of the area in which it is located. This should be done in a manner that is not overly obscure or difficult to relate to. This can be achieved by reference to local history; the townland, parish or other long-established name, past industry or employment in the area, local topography, or a well-known association of a significant historical individual, event or custom from the local area. Local history societies or a local library may be able to offer advice.
The name proposed to the Naming and Numbering section of the Planning Department must also not duplicate or be easily confused with an existing name in the county. This is in the interests of owners, occupiers, visitors, service and utility providers and for rapid emergency service provision. The scheme must also comply with the guidelines on naming and numbering of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, preferably should include the use exclusively of the Irish language and should have regard to the Guidelines issued by the The Placenames Committee (An Coiste Logainmneac). In this way the naming of new developments can contribute to or help maintain a sense of identity for the area in which it is located.
All houses, offices, and other premises should, be numbered and duplication of numbers on the same road avoided. Premises should be so numbered that when travelling away from the entrance, or other focal point the odd numbers are on the left hand side and the even numbers on the right. Whatever system of allocating numbers is adopted, it is important that there should be consistency within the general area. In the case of blocks of apartments each floor and each apartment should be numbered. For apartment blocks over four storeys the unit number should reflect or indicate the floor it is on.
As regards road name-plates or signs, when a naming and numbering scheme is approved by the Council it is desirable that a uniform system should be put in place. In accordance with the provisions of The Official Languages Act 2003 both English and Irish language names must be displayed with equal prominence,(unless the approved name is in the Irish Language when only the Irish name needs to be displayed). The name-plates/signs should be clearly visible to road users, by night is well as by day if possible and should be placed so as to give road users information as to the road-name, when entering the road and, in the case of a long road, at intervals along it. Uniformity in positioning is also desirable. House numbers should be displayed prominently on the gate, if any, or otherwise on the door of the premises. Prominent directional signage should be provided for houses or other premises not clearly visible from the road.