‘Keep our names Irish’: Call to rename the Devil’s Chimney
The name of the site is disputed as locals feel the Irish name should not be removed
A Leitrim councillor will put forward a motion next week calling for Manorhamilton Municipal District to write to Sligo County Council seeking the restoration of the traditional Irish name of the Devil’s Chimney Waterfall.
The waterfall, traditionally known as Sruth in Aghaidh an Aird (Stream in the Face of the Height), sits in the Glencar Valley along the Sligo-Leitrim border.
The country’s tallest waterfall at 150 meters, it has become a popular tourist attraction in the north of the county since a walking trail was established there in 2015. Locals have since called for its traditional Irish name to be restored.
When the wind blows from the south after heavy rainfall, the water sprays back up the cliff face and into the sky.
There are different colloquial stories about the origin of the name ‘The Devil’s Chimney’. However, when the walking trail was established in 2015, the landowner thought it was the accepted local name for the site, and it was adopted by Sligo County Council as a marketing tool to bring tourism to the region.
“It’s used as a word to kind of attract people in, but a lot of people are annoyed about it,” said James Gilmartin, Leitrim county councillor who will table a motion regarding the name at next week’s Municipal district meeting.
“I personally think we should keep our names Irish as much as possible, as from a language point of view, we can talk about it, we have to try and revive the language; it’s in us,” he added.
The motion reads: “That this Municipal District write to Sligo County Council requesting that its Tourism Section use only the correct and historic name “Sruth in Aghaidh an Aird”, together with its English translation, “Stream in the Face of the Height,” for the spectacular waterfall on the Leitrim-Sligo boundary in Glencar Valley,“
“All signage, promotional material and map references should reflect this bilingual name. The name “The Devil’s Chimney” has no historical connection to the area and was introduced without public consultation,“ it continues.
“Restoring the original name would protect our Irish language heritage, strengthen our sense of place, and preserve the authentic identity of this unique natural landmark,” it finishes.