Place name of the week

Dunollie ~ Dùn Olla

During the time of the Argyllshire-based Gaelic kingdom of Dál Riata, Dunollie near Oban was the chief stronghold of the kindred called Cenél Loairn. The Annals of Ulster mention this fort several times between 686 and 734 AD, referring to it variously as Dún Ollaig, Dún Ollaigh and Dún Onlaigh. These forms perhaps reflect ‘the fort of Ollaigh’. Although the meaning of Ollaigh is not certain, it appears to have been reinterpreted as a Norse personal name now known as Olaf in English; in 1654 it was spelled Dunoldiff and in Gaelic it was written Dùn Ollaimh. In Modern Gaelic however it is known as Dùn Olla.

The name appears in a proverb: Mar Dhubhaird is Dhùn Olla mu choinneimh a chèile ‘like Duart and Dunollie opposite each other’ (Duart on Mull is visible from Dunollie). This is said of two people who are acquainted but not friendly. lfor more information visit www.ainmean-aite.org