Launch of 'The Place-Names of Iona' Online Resource

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📅 Monday, 31 March 2025
📍 Iona Village Hall | 🆓 Free Entry | ⏰ 7:00 PM

The island of Iona is set to host a remarkable event celebrating its centuries-old naming traditions. On March 31, 2025, the Iona Village Hall will welcome locals, scholars, and visitors for the official launch of the new digital resource, “The Place-Names of Iona.”

Organised by the Iona’s Namescape team from the University of Glasgow, this public event promises an engaging evening dedicated to the linguistic, historical, and cultural legacy embedded in Iona’s toponyms.

✨ What to Expect:

🔹 Presentations by the Research Team
Attendees will hear from the scholars behind the Namescape project, who will explain how Iona’s place-names offer a fascinating window into the island’s past—from early Christian roots to modern Gaelic naming traditions.

🔹 Live Demonstration of the Online Platform
The project team will unveil the user-friendly digital resource, showcasing how users can explore the meanings, origins, and evolution of Iona’s place-names through an interactive map and detailed entries.

🔹 Community Connection and Educational Use
This event is not only academic in nature—it is designed to foster pride and engagement within the Iona community. The platform is expected to serve schools, heritage groups, and curious individuals eager to explore the island’s toponymy in a dynamic, accessible way.

Whether you're a historian, a linguist, or a local with deep ties to Iona, this is a unique opportunity to connect with the island’s heritage in a whole new way. And if you can’t make it in person, the platform will be freely available online, so anyone can embark on a virtual journey through Iona’s storied landscape.

🔗 Learn more: https://iona-placenames.glasgow.ac.uk