The Element sceilg in Irish Place-names – A Borrowing of Latin spelu(n)ca?

The element 'sceilg' in Irish place-names, found at notable early Christian sites such as Skellig Michael and Glendalough, is likely a variant of the rare term 'speilg,' both derived from Vulgar Latin 'spelu(n)ca.' This Latin word originally meant 'cave' or 'den,' often associated with hermit dwellings. The study argues that 'sceilg' and 'speilg' underwent a semantic shift in Irish, expanding from their original meaning to denote general rock features like steep rocks or crags. This finding is supported by the complementary distribution of these terms across Ireland and their context in hermitage sites, where the presence of caves—such as Saint Kevin's Bed at Glendalough—reinforces the etymological link.

Tempan, P. (2023). The Element sceilg in Irish Place-names – A Borrowing of Latin spelu(n)ca? Onomastics in Interaction with Other Branches of Science Volume 1 Keynote Lectures Toponomastics, 583–602. https://doi.org/10.4467/k7501.45/22.23.18078