'We'll get our U back by hook or by crook' - Limerick community members say

A COUNTY Limerick community has vowed “we will get our U back - by hook or by crook” in their ongoing battle to restore the correct spelling to signs in their village.

The spelling of a place name is part of its heritage, history and identity, argue the tight-knit community of Loughill, who are campaigning to have a U reinstated in road signage, so that the village name is spelled correctly.

READ ALSO: The Frames go back to their roots with special Limerick show

Independent Ireland Councillor Tommy Hartigan told the Limerick Leader that he has contacted multiple agencies to try to get this issue resolved. 

“I thought it would be straight forward and we could get the signs redone,” he said, speaking of how the community are now researching when Loughill may have been spelled incorrectly as Loghill and tracing it back from there. 

“We are trying to identify where it went wrong and find historical references to the correct spelling with the U,” he said. 

Councillor Hartigan added: “Even my own name, sometimes I get things addressed to Tommee - that’s not my name. When it’s the name of a person or place, it’s something you hold onto.” 

There was strong attendance at a public meeting on the emotive issue and more than 500 people have now signed an online petition.

In the petition, the campaign is that: “Place names matter. They reflect history, language and a community’s connection to its area.

“The spelling Loughill has been used locally for generations, yet this change was made without proper consultation with the people who live here.

“We are asking the relevant authorities to respect local history and community

identity by restoring the correct spelling of Loughill in all official records, maps and signage. 

“Give us our U back. Give us Loughill back” - the online petition states.  

Councillor Hartigan told the Limerick Leader that the campaign has the support of the director of Transport in Limerick City and County Council.

Once all relevant supporting documents have been gathered, Cllr Hartigan will present the case to Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the National Transport Authority.

The campaign has gathered steam with support from locals and others who are from Loughill, but have since left to live elsewhere. 

Anyone who wants to support the campaign and sign the petition can do so by searching for Loughill on www.change.org.