"Place Names of Ireland: From Inishbiggle To New Twopothouse"
The Big Story
Tuesday, 20 October 2026 - 9 minutes
A new book by a Midlands Author has revealed which town was once known as the "Paris of the Midlands".
"Place Names of Ireland: From Inishbiggle to New Twopothouse" explores the history, meanings, and quirky stories behind unusual Irish place names.
Portarlington was founded in 1666 and prospered after 15 French Huguenot refugee families settled there, earning it the nickname "Paris of the Midlands" in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Athlone's Paula Elmore is the Author and says French even became a popular language in the region:
