Collection: County Pillow White Edition

Leinster (Laighin)

  1. Carlow (Ceatharlach) – Likely means “place of four lakes” or “place of cattle. Don't have motto.
  2. Dublin (Baile Átha Cliath / Dubh Linn) – “Town of the Hurdled Ford” (Baile Átha Cliath) and “Black Pool” (Dubh Linn), referencing Viking settlement. 
    Motto: "Beart do réir ár mbriathar" (Irish),
    "Action to match our speech"
  3. Kildare (Cill Dara) – “Church of the Oak,” named after the monastery founded by St. Brigid. 
    Motto: "Meanma agus Misneach" (Irish),
    "Spirit and Courage"
  4. Kilkenny (Cill Chainnigh) – “Church of Cainnech,” named after St. Cainnech, a 6th-century saint. Don't have motto.
  5. Laois (Laoise) – Named after the Loígis tribe, one of Ireland’s early Gaelic groups. 
    Motto: "I bpáirt leis an bpobal" (Irish),
    "In partnership with the community"
  6. Longford (An Longfort) – “The Fortress ,” originally a Viking stronghold.    
    Motto: "Daingean agus Dílis" (Irish),
    "Strong and Loyal"
  7. Louth (Lú) – Named after Lugh, the Celtic god of light and warriors. 
    Motto: "Lugh sáimh-ioldánach" (Irish),
    "Lugh equally skilled in many arts"
  8. Meath (An Mhí) – “The Middle Kingdom,” once the seat of the High Kings of Ireland.
    Motto(s): "Tré Neart le Chéile" (Irish),
    "Stronger Together"
  9. Offaly (Uíbh Fhailí) – Named after the Uí Fhailí dynasty, one of the ruling Gaelic clans. 
    Motto(s): "Bí dílis" (Irish),
    "Be Faithful"
  10. Westmeath (An Iarmhí) – “West of Meath,” originally part of the larger Kingdom of Meath.
    Motto(s): "Triath ós Triathaibh" (Irish),
    "Noble above nobility"
  11. Wexford (Loch Garman) – “Garman’s Lake,” named after a mythical druid drowned in a flood.
    Motto(s): "Sampla na hÉireann" (Irish),
    "An example to Ireland"
  12. Wicklow (Cill Mhantáin) – “Church of the Toothless One,” referring to a saint who was attacked and lost his teeth.
    Motto(s): "Meanma Saor" (Irish),
    "Free Spirits"

Munster (An Mhumhain)

  1. Clare (An Clár) – “A plain” or “level land,” referring to the Burren landscape.
    Motto(s): "Dílis d'ár nOidreacht" (Irish),
    "True to our heritage".
  2. Cork (Corcaigh) – “Marshy place,” referencing the city’s origins on swampy ground. Don't have motto(s).
  3. Kerry (Ciarraí) – “People of Ciar,” a pre-Gaelic tribe that settled the region.
    Motto(s): "Comhar, Cabhair, Cairdeas"  (Irish),
    'Co-operation, Help, Friendship'.
  4. Limerick (Luimneach) – “Barren land,” though the city has been anything but barren in history and culture.
    Motto(s): "Cuimhnigh ar Luimneach" (Irish),
    "Remember Limerick".
  5. Tipperary (Tiobraid Árann) – “Well of Ara,” named after a sacred spring. Don't have motto(s).
  6. Waterford (Port Láirge) – “Lárag’s Port,” originally a Viking settlement. Motto(s): 
    Motto(s): "Déisi oc Declán co Bráth" (Old Irish),
    "May the Déise remain with Declan forever".

Connacht (Connachta)

  1. Galway (Gaillimh) – “Stony River,” referencing the rough terrain along the Corrib. 
    Motto(s): "Ceart agus Cóir" (Irish),
    "Righteousness and Justice".
  2. Leitrim (Liatroim) – “Grey Ridge,” a nod to the county’s mountainous landscape. Don't have motto(s).
  3. Mayo (Maigh Eo) – “Plain of the Yew Trees,” reflecting Ireland’s ancient forests. 
    Motto(s): "Dia is Muire Linn" (Irish),
    "God and Mary be with us".
  4. Roscommon (Ros Comáin) – “Coman’s Wood,” named after St. Coman, who founded a monastery there. 
    Motto(s): "Croí Gaelach seasta" (Irish),
    "Steadfast Irish heart".
  5. Sligo (Sligeach) – “Abounding in Shells,” referring to the coastline’s natural beauty.

    Motto(s): "Talamh Mian Chroí" (Irish), Land of heart's desire.


Ulster (Ulaidh)

  1. Antrim (Aontroim) – “Lone Ridge,” describing its distinctive landscape Motto(s): 
    Motto(s): "Trí Triail go Triumphs"  (Irish),
    "Through Trial to Triumphs"
  2. Armagh (Ard Mhacha) – “Macha’s Height,” named after the goddess-queen Macha. Don't have motto(s).
  3. Cavan (An Cabhán) – “The Hollow,” reflecting its rolling drumlins and valleys.
    Motto(s): "Feardhacht is Fírinne" (Irish),
    "Manliness and Truth
  4. Derry (Doire) – “Oak Grove,” referencing the dense forests that once covered the area.
    Motto(s): "Tagann cabhair ón Tiarna" (Irish),
    "Help comes from the Lord".
  5. Donegal (Dún na nGall) – “Fort of the Foreigners,” named for the Vikings who once settled here.
    Motto(s): "Bíodh grá agat dá chéile" (Irish),
    "Have love for one another".
  6. Down (An Dún) – “The Fort,” a simple but powerful nod to its ancient strongholds.
    Motto(s): "Ní dhéanfaidh aon ní Gan Lucht Oibre" (Irish), 
    "Nothing Without Labour"
  7. Fermanagh (Fir Manach) – “Men of Manach,” named after an early Gaelic tribe.
    Motto(s): "Feor Magh Eanagh" (Irish),
    "the Country of the Lakes".
  8. Monaghan (Muineachán) – “Little Bushy Place,” evoking its landscape of rolling fields.
    Motto(s): "Dúthracht agus Dícheall" (Irish),
    "Diligence and Best Endeavour"
  9. Tyrone (Tír Eoghain) – “Land of Eoghan,” named after the son of Niall of the Nine Hostages.
    Motto(s): "Trí Eagna agus Críonnacht" (Irish),
    "By Wisdom and Prudence"

how many counties are in ireland?

Ireland consists of 32 counties—26 in the Republic of Ireland and 6 in Northern Ireland. These counties have been at the heart of Irish identity for centuries, serving as more than just administrative units.

The Counties of Northern Ireland are:

  • Antrim
  • Armagh
  • Derry
  • Down
  • Fermanagh
  • Tyrone

These six counties remain part of the United Kingdom, while the remaining 26 counties form the Republic of Ireland.