Different explanations for the origin of the village name, Quin, circulate to this day. Whether or not it is possible to determine the correct origin, we do not know, because no exhaustive research appears to have been conducted. We rely entirely on speculation. We can, however, discount some of the interpretations.
Before we do so, we should bear in mind the following:
In 1111 Cuinche was adopted by the Synod of Rathbreasail as a boundary mark for the diocese of Killaloe and that of Limerick. This confirms that the placename ‘Cuinche’ pre-dates the arrival of the Normans and also suggests that Cuinche was a significant landmark on the ecclesiastic map.
The see of Luimneach, the Maoilchearn eastward, Ath ar Choinne, Lodan and Loch Gair, and the Laitheach Mhor from Aine westward, and Ard Padraig to the south and Bealach Feabhradh and Tulach Leis, the Feil westward and Tairbeart and Cuinche in Thomond, and Crossa in Sliabh Uidhe an Riogh and the Dubhabhann. Whoever shall go against these boundaries goes against the Lord and Peter the Apostle and St. Patrick and his comhorba and the Christian Church. And the Church of Mary in Luimneach is its principal church.
The Quince tree origin (see OPW signage at entrance to Friary).
This is the easiest to refute as this tree is not native, does not grow in any natural setting in Ireland and is unlikely to withstand the conditions prevalent here. It is native to western Asia. It also assumes an English language derivation for the name Quin.
The 5 roads origin (see Quin Tidy Towns website)
The name Quin is an anglicised and abbreviated translation of Cuinche. Records of this Irish name for the area date back to the eleventh century. Records for different versions of the English name start to emerge much later (Quinkey, Quinhy, Quinchy, Quint) and settle on Quin in the seventeenth century. This explanation also relies on a Latin word quinque meaning five, widely used in English, as the origin for the name of an old Irish village.
When the original Cuinche was in use by the predominantly Gaelic people, there was one road in and one road out of Quin. This explanation for the origin would only make sense if five roads existed when the name first emerged.
There are six roads in and out of Quin today. Newline road was built around the time of the famine, the road to Kilkishen was built in the mid 1700’s. The existing road to Ennis only went as far as Quinville House, later extended to provide more direct access to Ennis.
The Arbutus Tree origin (John O’Donovan, PW Joyce)
John O’Donovan was the first to speculate on the link between Cuinche and Caithne (arbutus) based on the similarity of words and the existence of a townland north of Clooney called Derrycahney (wood of the Arbutus). He did not stay in Quin when visiting but undertook research while staying in Tulla and Sixmilebridge into Quin Abbey and Maigh Adhair. We know from his letters to colleagues whoprovided support to his fieldwork, that no research was carried out by him into the origin of the name[1]. He was held in such reverence by fellow antiquarians from the R.I.A. that he was later unquestionably quoted, particularly by PW Joyce.This was carried on to the point where locals were quoted by later antiquarians to have said they even remembered the arbutus wood growing here. Was this the merely telling the gentleman what the gentleman wants to hear?
Due to its soil-type requirements and minimum winter temperatures, it is now accepted that the arbutus (unedo L) is unlikely to have grown here and likewise to have any association with the Quin village name[2].
Other associations
Quin has other associations or phonetic similarities in the Irish language such as chuin (a hollow), O’Choinn/Ua Chuinn (Quinn family name), caoin/caein (beautiful), caoin (smooth), Con/Conn (male first name),Uí Choinn (of Con)cúinne (a nook). The name of a local fort Cahercine is translated to Cathair Choinn (Fort of Con)[3]. Quin Street in Limerick City is translated to Sráid Uí Chuinn.
There is a version of Táin Bó Cúailnge (author unknown) which includes the following reference to a place or mountain called Cuinche:
“Cú Chulainn did not kill anyone between the Saili Imdoirchi in the district of Conaille until they reached Cúailnge. Cú Chulainn was then on the mountain Cuinche. He threatened that wherever he saw Medb he would cast a stone at her head. This was not easy for him, for Medb travelled surrounded by half the army and with a screen of shields over her head.
The Death of Lócha
A handmaid of Medb’s called Lócha went with a great company of women to fetch water. Cú Chulainn thought that she was Medb. He threw a stone at her from Cuinche and killed her on her plain. Hence comes the place-name Réid Lócha in Cúailnge.”
Index cards used by The Placenames Branch (Logainmeacha) to determine the authoritive names of towns and villages for An Post (Oifig an Phoist)[4]
In the first part of this article, we discussed the origin of the village name Quin. We dismissed some of the explanations that have emerged and pointed to its Gaelic origin Cuinche. Below is a chronological list of the historical recordings showing the evolution of the name to date. This is the work of the Placenames Branch to whom we owe our gratitude. We must be aware that most of these are a raw ‘grab’ from records of the colonial administrators and not the locals themselves. While they hint at how the original name was pronounced, there is still scope for interpretation, allowing for the changes that have taken place in the Irish language from early, mid and modern Irish.
| 1278 | maidm Cuinnche ….. tempull Cuinnchi |
ALC Leathanach: 1.482 The Annals of Loch Cé I, II, ed. W. Hennessy (1871). BÁC. Bliain: 1014-1636 |
| 1278 | Maidm Cunnchi ….. tempall Cuindchi |
AConn. Leathanach: 1278.6 Annála Connacht/The Annals of Connacht (ed. Freeman, 1944) Bliain: 1224-1544 |
| 1278 | overthrow of Coinche ….. Church of Coynche |
AClon. Leathanach: 252 Annals of Clonmacnoise (ed. Murphy) |
| 1278 | maidm Cuínchi ….. teampall Cuinche |
AU II Leathanach: 354 AU II |
| 1278 | maidhm Cuince ….. teampal Cuince |
ARÉ Leathanach: 428 Annála Ríoghachta Éireann. Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland by the Four Masters I-VII, ed. J. O’Donovan (an 2ú heagrán, 1856). BÁC Bliain: 300–1636, Nóta eolais: , Údar: John O’Donovan |
| 1279 | Casslean Cunchi |
AIF Leathanach: 1279.4 Annals of Inisfallen (ed. Mac Airt, 1951) Bliain: 430-1455 |
| 1281 | Cuynchi |
AIF Leathanach: 1281.9 Annals of Inisfallen (ed. Mac Airt, 1951) Bliain: 430-1455 |
| 1288 | Conych |
CDI Leathanach: 3.208 Calendar of documents, relating to Ireland: preserved in Her Majesty’s Public Record Office, London, 1171-1307 (ed. Sweetman & Handcock 1875). I-V) Bliain: 1171-1307 |
| c.1302 | Clonchi |
Pap. Tax. Leathanach: 301 [Papal Taxation], ‘Ecclesiastical Taxation of Ireland’, CDI V (1886, Londain), 202-323 Bliain: 1302-6 |
| 1311 | o Chuinnchi |
AIF Leathanach: 1311.4 Annals of Inisfallen (ed. Mac Airt, 1951) Bliain: 430-1455 |
| 1312 | iuxta Cuinchi |
AIF Leathanach: 1312.2 Annals of Inisfallen (ed. Mac Airt, 1951) Bliain: 430-1455 |
| c.1350 |
Chuinnche gin. |
CThoir. Leathanach: 11, 29 Caithréim Thoirdhealbhaigh I. (ed. O’Grady, ITS XXVI, 1929) Bliain: 1350C |
| c.1350 |
Cuince gin. |
CThoir. Leathanach: 17 Caithréim Thoirdhealbhaigh I. (ed. O’Grady, ITS XXVI, 1929) Bliain: 1350C |
| c.1350 |
Cuinci gin. |
CThoir. Leathanach: 17 Caithréim Thoirdhealbhaigh I. (ed. O’Grady, ITS XXVI, 1929) Bliain: 1350C |
| c.1350 | Cuinnche |
CThoir. Leathanach: 28, 140 Caithréim Thoirdhealbhaigh I. (ed. O’Grady, ITS XXVI, 1929) Bliain: 1350C |
| c.1350 | Cuinnce (x4) |
CThoir. Leathanach: 33 Caithréim Thoirdhealbhaigh I. (ed. O’Grady, ITS XXVI, 1929) Bliain: 1350C |
| c.1350 | Cuinnche |
CThoir. Leathanach: 6, 10 Caithréim Thoirdhealbhaigh I. (ed. O’Grady, ITS XXVI, 1929) Bliain: 1350C |
| c.1350 | Cuince |
CThoir. Leathanach: 92 Caithréim Thoirdhealbhaigh I. (ed. O’Grady, ITS XXVI, 1929) Bliain: 1350C |
| c.1390 | h. Colman Chuidchi? |
BB Leathanach: 185 b.31 The Book of Ballymote, facsimile (ed. Atkinston, 1887) |
| 1393 | hi colmain Cuindchi? |
UM Leathanach: 31 Vb 11 The Book of Uí Maine, facsimile (ed. Macalister, 1942) Bliain: 1400 C |
| 1402 | Mainistir chuinche |
ARÉ Leathanach: 774 Annála Ríoghachta Éireann. Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland by the Four Masters I-VII, ed. J. O’Donovan (an 2ú heagrán, 1856). BÁC Bliain: 300–1636, Nóta eolais: , Údar: John O’Donovan |
| 1408 | Cuiyky |
CPL Leathanach: 6.129 Calendar of Papal Letters (= Calendar of Papal Registers, Papal Letters, A.D. 1198-1498 , I-XVI, ed. Bliss, Twemlow, Haren & Fuller 1893-1986) Bliain: 1198-1498 |
| 1424 | Cunky |
Ann. Laon. Leathanach: 6, 7 Obligationes pro annatis diocesis Laoniensis, 1421-1535 (Archiv. Hib. X, 1-103; 1943) Bliain: 1421-1535 |
| 1429 | Cunky |
Ann. Laon. Leathanach: 20 Obligationes pro annatis diocesis Laoniensis, 1421-1535 (Archiv. Hib. X, 1-103; 1943) Bliain: 1421-1535 |
| 1443 | Cunky |
Ann. Laon. Leathanach: 30 Obligationes pro annatis diocesis Laoniensis, 1421-1535 (Archiv. Hib. X, 1-103; 1943) Bliain: 1421-1535 |
| 1462 | Cumhy (vel Cuinhy, vel Cunihi) |
Ann. Laon. Leathanach: 36 Obligationes pro annatis diocesis Laoniensis, 1421-1535 (Archiv. Hib. X, 1-103; 1943) Bliain: 1421-1535 |
| 1462 | Cunhy |
Ann. Laon. Leathanach: 37 Obligationes pro annatis diocesis Laoniensis, 1421-1535 (Archiv. Hib. X, 1-103; 1943) Bliain: 1421-1535 |
| 1470 | Cunche |
Ann. Laon. Leathanach: 45 Obligationes pro annatis diocesis Laoniensis, 1421-1535 (Archiv. Hib. X, 1-103; 1943) Bliain: 1421-1535 |
| 1470 | Cunthy |
Ann. Laon. Leathanach: 45 Obligationes pro annatis diocesis Laoniensis, 1421-1535 (Archiv. Hib. X, 1-103; 1943) Bliain: 1421-1535 |
| 1477 | Cunthy |
Ann. Laon. Leathanach: 54 Obligationes pro annatis diocesis Laoniensis, 1421-1535 (Archiv. Hib. X, 1-103; 1943) Bliain: 1421-1535 |
| 1542 | Cuinche |
HID Leathanach: 55 Hardiman’s Irish Deeds |
| 1551 | Quinhe |
Inchiquin Leathanach: 501 Inchiquin MSS (ed. Ainsworth. 1961) |
| 1574 | Quynhye |
Cal. Carew Leathanach: 4.472 Calendar of Carew Manuscripts, 1515-1623 (six volumes) Údar: Brewer, J.S., Bullen, W., Áit foilsithe: London, Bliain: 1867-73 |
| 1574 | Qwynhy |
Cal. Carew Leathanach: 4.475 Calendar of Carew Manuscripts, 1515-1623 (six volumes) Údar: Brewer, J.S., Bullen, W., Áit foilsithe: London, Bliain: 1867-73 |
| 1578 | Queyne |
F Leathanach: 3448 Calendar to Fiants of reign of Henry VIII. 1510-47…of Queen Elizabeth. 1558-1603′. In RDK (1875-90) Nóta eolais: Tagraítear d’uimhir ailt (ó am go chéile, nuair a théann an t-alt thar bhreis agus leathanach amháin, tagraítear d’alt agus do leathanach) / Reference to article number (occasionally, when the article extends over more than one page, the article and page number are given)., Áit foilsithe: London, Bliain foilsithe: 1875-90 |
| c.1580 |
Qyynhi TCD E 2 14, castles |
Co. an Chl. Leathanach: 102 Ó hÓgáin, Seán (1938), Conntae an Chláir: a triocha agus a tuatha…, Baile Átha Cliath, Ofig an tSoláthair. Nóta eolais: Tagraítear d’uimhir an leathanaigh / reference to page number |
| 1583 | Quinhy |
F Leathanach: 4274 Calendar to Fiants of reign of Henry VIII. 1510-47…of Queen Elizabeth. 1558-1603′. In RDK (1875-90) Nóta eolais: Tagraítear d’uimhir ailt (ó am go chéile, nuair a théann an t-alt thar bhreis agus leathanach amháin, tagraítear d’alt agus do leathanach) / Reference to article number (occasionally, when the article extends over more than one page, the article and page number are given)., Áit foilsithe: London, Bliain foilsithe: 1875-90 |
| 1584 | cloccais cuinnche |
ARÉ Leathanach: 1818 Annála Ríoghachta Éireann. Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland by the Four Masters I-VII, ed. J. O’Donovan (an 2ú heagrán, 1856). BÁC Bliain: 300–1636, Nóta eolais: , Údar: John O’Donovan |
| 1584 | go cuinnche |
ARÉ Leathanach: 1818 Annála Ríoghachta Éireann. Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland by the Four Masters I-VII, ed. J. O’Donovan (an 2ú heagrán, 1856). BÁC Bliain: 300–1636, Nóta eolais: , Údar: John O’Donovan |
| 1593 | Quyn |
F Leathanach: 5808 Calendar to Fiants of reign of Henry VIII. 1510-47…of Queen Elizabeth. 1558-1603′. In RDK (1875-90) Nóta eolais: Tagraítear d’uimhir ailt (ó am go chéile, nuair a théann an t-alt thar bhreis agus leathanach amháin, tagraítear d’alt agus do leathanach) / Reference to article number (occasionally, when the article extends over more than one page, the article and page number are given)., Áit foilsithe: London, Bliain foilsithe: 1875-90 |
| 1598 | hi ccuinnche |
ARÉ Leathanach: 2048 Annála Ríoghachta Éireann. Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland by the Four Masters I-VII, ed. J. O’Donovan (an 2ú heagrán, 1856). BÁC Bliain: 300–1636, Nóta eolais: , Údar: John O’Donovan |
| 1599 | barúntacht chuinnche |
ARÉ Leathanach: 2140 Annála Ríoghachta Éireann. Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland by the Four Masters I-VII, ed. J. O’Donovan (an 2ú heagrán, 1856). BÁC Bliain: 300–1636, Nóta eolais: , Údar: John O’Donovan |
| 1600 | Quynhy |
Inchiquin Leathanach: 298 Inchiquin MSS (ed. Ainsworth. 1961) |
| 1601 | Quyn |
Cal. Carew Leathanach: 4.53 Calendar of Carew Manuscripts, 1515-1623 (six volumes) Údar: Brewer, J.S., Bullen, W., Áit foilsithe: London, Bliain: 1867-73 |
| 1606 | Quinhyne |
Inq.(Cl) Leathanach: 1.62 Inquisitions. Co. Clare (lámhscríbhinn in RIA) Bliain: 1560-1690 |
| 1608 | Quynhy |
Inq.(Cl) Leathanach: 1.76 Inquisitions. Co. Clare (lámhscríbhinn in RIA) Bliain: 1560-1690 |
| 1615 | Quin |
RVis. (Kill.) Leathanach: 213 Murphy, M.A., agus Ormond, W., The Royal Visitation, 1615: Diocese of Killaloe in Archivium Hibernicum Vol. 3 (1914), pp. 210-226. |
| 1621 | Quinhy |
Inchiquin Leathanach: 330 Inchiquin MSS (ed. Ainsworth. 1961) |
| 1621 | Quinhy |
CPR Leathanach: 493 Calendar of Patent Rolls of James I Bliain: 1603–23, Pubref: BÁC, 1966, Teideal iomlán: Irish Patent Rolls of James I: Facsimile of the Irish Record Commission’s Calendar prepared prior to 1830 |
| 1621 | Quinhy |
CPR Leathanach: 493 Calendar of Patent Rolls of James I Bliain: 1603–23, Pubref: BÁC, 1966, Teideal iomlán: Irish Patent Rolls of James I: Facsimile of the Irish Record Commission’s Calendar prepared prior to 1830 |
| 1624 | Quinihyquin |
Inq.(Cl) Leathanach: 2.21 Inquisitions. Co. Clare (lámhscríbhinn in RIA) Bliain: 1560-1690 |
| 1624 | Quinchy |
Inq.(Cl) Leathanach: 2.86 Inquisitions. Co. Clare (lámhscríbhinn in RIA) Bliain: 1560-1690 |
| 1633 | Quynha |
Inq.(Cl) Leathanach: 2.293 Inquisitions. Co. Clare (lámhscríbhinn in RIA) Bliain: 1560-1690 |
| 1633 | Quynhie |
Inq.(Cl) Leathanach: 2.294 Inquisitions. Co. Clare (lámhscríbhinn in RIA) Bliain: 1560-1690 |
| 1650 | Uí Colmáin Chuidchi? |
LM Leathanach: 312 An Leabhar Muimhneach (eag. O Donnchadha. (1940)) Bliain: 1650C |
| c.1655 | Quinhie |
DS Down Survey (Barony Maps – Hiberniae Regnum, 1654, cóipeanna a rinne an tSuirbhéireacht Ordanáis ó na bunchóipeanna i bPáras, 1908) Bliain foilsithe: 1655-7 |
| 1659 | Quinhy |
Cen. Leathanach: 163 A census of Ireland, circa 1659: with supplementary material from the poll money ordinances (1660-1661), eag. S. Pender (1939) Bliain foilsithe: 1939, Údar: S. Pender, Áit foilsithe: Dublin |
| c.1660 | Quinhy |
BSD (Cl) Leathanach: 139-148 Books of Survey and Distribution, Co Clare |
| 1665 | Quin |
Inchiquin Leathanach: 362 Inchiquin MSS (ed. Ainsworth. 1961) |
| 1666 | Quinly |
ASE Leathanach: 87.18 Abstracts of Grants of Lands..under the Acts of Settlement and Explanation, A.D.1666-1684 (Appendix to Fifteenth Annual Report from the Commissioners of Public Records of Ireland, 45-280; 1825) Bliain: 1666-84 |
| 1685 | Quinhie |
Hib. Del. Hiberniæ Delineatio, William Petty Bliain foilsithe: 1685, Bliain foilsithe: 1685, Foilsitheoir: Irish University Press (1969) |
| c.1780 |
Chuínche gin. |
Cúirt MO 1982 Leathanach: lch. 31, líne 454 “Cúirt an Mheon-Oiche” le Brian Merriman, Liam P. O Murchu a chuir in eagar, Baile Atha Cliath, An Clochomhar, 1982. |
| 1787 | Quin, Quinhy Ph. |
Pelham (Cl) Henry Pelham. (Map of) The County of Clare in the Province of Munster and Kingdom of Ireland surveyed and drawn…1787 Bliain foilsithe: 1787 |
| 1839 | Quin |
BS:AL Boundary Surveyor c. 1830 as AL / Ordnance Survey Parish Namebooks. Bliain: 1830 |
| 1839 | Cuínche |
OD:AL O’Donovan (leagan Gaeilge de logainm nó nóta agus é scríofa le dúch; John O’Donovan / Seán Ó Donnabháin a scríobh de ghnáth), ex AL. A note or an Irish form of a placename in the Ordnance Survey Parish Namebooks, usually written by John O’Donovan. Bliain: 1830-40, Bliain: 1835, Bliain: 1838 |
| 1839 | Cuinche |
pl:AL Nóta nó leagan Gaeilge scríofa i bpeann luaidhe in AL/ Note or Irish form written in pencil in AL Bliain: 1838 |
Please note:The documentation listed above from the archives of the Placenames Branch indicates the range of research contributions undertaken by the Branch on this placename over the years. It may not constitute a complete record, and evidence may not be sequenced on the basis of validity. It is on this basis that this material is made available to the public. See logainm@dcu.ie.
Conclusion
Having set out to refute the 3 most widely used explanation for the origin of the village name, can we shine any lights on the true origin? Given the confusion caused to date arising from other speculations, it would be wrong to add another. We can only hope that the professional and academic research will sometime in the future delve sufficiently to present a more plausible explanation. This will require focus on the name Cuinche and not Quin.
The strategic location of this crossing point for penetrating Thomond, or its situation at the heart of the MacConMara clan, are more likely to have influenced the name rather than the variations referred to above.
[1]The Antiquities of County Clare (Ordnance Survey Letters) John O’Donovan & Eugene Curry P.396-399
[2]British & Irish Botany 3(4): 385-418, 2021, Micheline Sheehy Skeffington; also Trees in Early Ireland by Fergus Kelly p.48
[3]From Gaillimh to Galway (The Anglicisation of Irish Place Names) Tom Burnell p. 390
[4]Logainm.ie