One of the most basic, yet powerful and symbolic acts of geographical appropriation is the naming of places. With a focus on the island of Ireland, this chapter proffers a reading of Ireland’s rich and diverse toponymic landscapes as integral components of the cultural landscape capable of providing unique insights into the social, political and cultural attitudes and perceptions of those who have both named and renamed places through time. In illustrating the themes of the politics of naming, appropriation, conflict and identity in both historical and contemporary urban and rural settings, a range of examples, from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and a case study from Dublin have been deployed. An overview of the various bodies involved in managing and promoting Ireland’s place names today and the legislative framework within which it operates is also given.