'Google must be on a different planet': Quest to correct spelling of County Limerick townland

A COUNTY Limerick residents association has called on Google to correct the spelling of their townland, insisting the correct form is Rich Hill — not Richill or Richhill, as currently listed on the global mapping platform.

The campaign, led by the Rich Hill Residents Association and supported by Limerick City & County Council, highlights the long-standing historical use of the name, which dates back to 1738. Residents argue that Google’s incorrect listing has caused confusion and, in some cases, misdirected mail to Co Armagh instead of Rich Hill, Lisnagry.

In an email to Google, resident James Ryan described repeated unsuccessful attempts to correct the error. “We wrote to you in Dublin both in 2024 and 2025 but zero response from you,” he said. “This final email to you is a courtesy prior to contacting Senior Management and the CEO of Google regarding our concerns. We should not have to do this.”

Mr Ryan, 81, who has lived in Rich Hill since 1981, explained that the incorrect spelling has practical consequences. “If no postcode is used, we are left wondering if important medical appointments are gone to Richill, Co Armagh,” he said. “Even if it’s only one letter a month, it could well be the critical one.”

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Mr Ryan also recalled a conversation with an auctioneer in the 1980s about estate names, noting that they said: “You could call it Woodhaven or something else, but you’d still have to put in Rich Hill, as it’s the name of the townland.”

The association argues that Google’s error has been amplified by other agencies, who often cite Google as the source for the spelling. “Google somehow got the correct spelling wrong and so now because of Google all these agencies quote Google when questioned about how the incorrect spelling originated.”

Mr Ryan expressed frustration over the lack of response. “After 40-plus years, we’ve learnt to put up with it. Still, it’s not right. Google must be on a different planet as it seems they don't care.”

The local residents are now urging the tech giant to take action and restore the townland’s correct name.