One of Ireland’s most-strangely named villages is beating the recession by cashing in on its name.
For years people have smirked at the signs welcoming them to the Inishowen village of Muff.
But now locals have brushed aside suggestions to rename the village because they like it just the way it is
Tara Reddin, chairperson of the Muff Festival, says visitor numbers have never been greater.
“There was talk that people wanted to change the name but why would we do that?
“I am born and bred in Muff and I never knew the double-meaning of the name until I went away.
“Now we all just laugh at it and make the most of it,” she said.
Tara revealed that the festival committee has even bought in a range of “I Love Muff” merchandise which is selling like hotcakes around the globe.
The merchandise includes t-shirts, keyrings and baseballs with regular orders coming from as far away as America and Australia.
Tara says stag parties coming to Donegal often come to the village to have their picture taken by the ‘Welcome to Muff’ signpost.
“Muff is a small village and it only has one pub so it’s not a place where stag parties stay.
“But they often come here to have their picture taken and might have a quick point or go into the local shops,” she said.
She points out that most elderly people in the village aren’t even aware of the double-meaning of the village’s name which is officially referred to in some on-line dictionaries as “a vulgar word for a woman’s private area.”
One of its most famous visitors was British comedian Alan Carr who had to have his picture taken beside the village’s sign when he played in nearby Derry.
And Tara said that nobody in the village takes offence when people have a snigger at it.
“I think we can all take a joke at this stage. If it brings people into the village and they want to spend a pound, then what’s wrong with that.
“It’s not every village I Ireland can cash in on its name,” she said.
* The Muff Festival takes place on the August Bank Holiday weekend.
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