Lios, to be precise, means the closed space about a dwelling house. In explaining placenames, the element refers to the whole dwelling unit and is translated as ring fort or fort. In the early Irish sagas it does not feature at all, this may suggest that such settlements may have had a lower status than dún and ráth sites.

Lios is found as part of almost 1,600 town names in Ireland and it has a widespread distribution, being found as part of a town name in every county except Wexford.

The placename has the heaviest concentrations in the drumlin lands through Monaghan and Cavan. It is also prolific in east Connacht, Co Longford, north Tipperary and in the Burren, Co Clare. Looking at county totals, Cork leads the way with 135, followed by Galway with 127 and Tyrone with 102.

Lios is found in some well-known towns and villages: Lismore, Co Waterford (Lios Mór – big fort), Lisburn, Co Antrim (Lios na gCearrbhach – fort of the gamblers), and Liscarroll, Co Cork (Lios Cearúill – Cearúlls’ fort), suggesting that the 13th century castle here was built on the site of the fort of an early Irish chieftain. Co Clare has some very familiar names: Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare (Lios Dhún Bhearna – the fort of the gap), Liscannor (Lios Ceannúir – the fort of Ceannúr), and Lissycasey (Lios Uí Chathasaigh – Ó Cathasaigh’s fort). There are some wide-ranging combinations: Lisnagry, Co Limerick (Lios na Groighe – fort of the stud), Lisnadill, Co Armagh (Lios na Daille – fort of the blind man), Lisnageer, Co Cavan (Lios na gCaor – fort of the berries), and Lisnastrean, Co Down (Lios na Sriain – fort of the bridle).

One quite common placename is Lissaniska or Lissanisky (Lios an Uisce – fort of the water). The placename is common in the west of Ireland and in the midlands, being widely found in counties Mayo, Galway and Cork.

The placename is so wide-ranging, that it suggests that the ditch around the ring fort was usually flooded to provide an extra means of defence.

In Co Kerry, there is the town familiar to many racegoers come September time, Listowel (Lios Tuathal, – the fort of Tuathal). Nearby is Lisselton (Lios Eiltín – fort of the little doe), and on the road to Dingle is Lispole (Lios Póil – fort of the pool).

A trip around the country recalls places that are part of the fabric of everyday life: Lisnalong, Co Monaghan (Lios na Long – fort of the boat), Lisnagon, Co Meath (Lios na gCon – fort of the hounds), and Lisnacask, Co Westmeath, (Lios na Cásca – Easter fort).

Next time, the placename element Machaire (plain or flat place) shall be examined