What Does “Bun” Mean in Irish Placenames?

Towns and cities with Bun

Buncrana · Bun Cranncha · County Donegal
Foot of the River Crana; Joyce agrees, giving it as the mouth of the river Crana
Bundoran · Bun Dobhráin · County Donegal
The foot of the little water, after the Doran river; Joyce takes Doran to be a diminutive of dobhar, water, 'little' beside the Drowes and the Erne

Quick answers

What does Bun mean in Irish place names?

Bottom, river-mouth: it is the Irish bun. It is written Bun in English spellings of Irish names.

How is Bun spelled in Irish?

bun. English spellings of the same word include Bun, because the names were written down by ear.

Which towns have Bun in their name?

Buncrana (Bun Cranncha), Bundoran (Bun Dobhráin).