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Dublin Live
Dublin Live
National
Thomas Telford

13 Dublin place names people always pronounce wrong

There are few things more enjoyable than seeing Irish people and tourists struggle to pronounce certain Dublin place names.

It's about time that the worst offenders were highlighted for your and our amusement.

Here are 13 Dublin place names that people struggle to pronounce.

Leopardstown - A town of leopards? Apparently some people say "Lee-o-pardstown" not leopard, and GPS systems struggle with the name for some reason.

Chapelizod - Chapelizard more like. What an "izod" is we'll never know.

Ongar - ONgar or onGar? That's the eternal question. In fact it's neither. No emphasis is required. Pronounced "on guar(d) without the d.

Dublin Fire Brigade respond to the scene in Ongar (Dublin Fire Brigade)

Donaghmede - Think of the name Donna and the ancient honey liquor, Mead and combine the two.

Tallaght - There are few things Irish people love more than putting letters in words and not using them. Pronounced Talla.

Clonee - No it's not pronounced the same way as American actor, George Clooney. Clon-knee

Aungier Street - Of course, a street name whose origin is French would be a struggle to pronounce. The correct pronunciation rhymes with danger.

Dorset Street - Dorset or DorSET street? Which is the correct one? This writer pronounces it "DorSET" street therefore that is the correct option.

A view of the parade ring at Leopardstown (©INPHO/Bryan Keane)

D'Olier Street - While some questionable individuals may pronounce it as Doll-ier Street, its correct pronunciation is duhleer Street.

Donabate - Although it doesn't have a "gh" like Donaghmede, it's still pronounced the same way. The correct way is Donnagh-bait.

Ranelagh- Ranelagh is often pronounced as "renelagh" by people who don't know better. It's easy enough to pronounce. Just say "Ran-el-ah".

A line of typical houses in Ranelagh, area of Dublin. On Wednesday, December 2, 2020, in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Jobstown - Any right-minded person would pronounce Jobstown as it's spelt. However, it's actually pronounced Joebstown. Why is it spelt that way? Why not?

Dun Laoghaire - The ultimate trolling by Dubliners. Known to have melted many a tourists brain. Pronounced Done Leery.

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