Dunum (Ireland)

A dunam (also spelled dunum) is an obsolete Irish unit of land measurement. It is roughly equivalent to a quarter of an Irish acre, or approximately 1000 square meters (10,764 square feet). The exact size of a dunam varied slightly depending on the region and historical period, with some areas using a larger or smaller definition. The term is derived from the Irish word dún, meaning a fort or enclosure, suggesting a connection to the amount of land typically associated with such a structure. While no longer in common use, the dunam may still be encountered in older land deeds, historical documents, and local folklore related to land ownership and farming practices in Ireland. Its usage predates the standardization of land measurement units in Ireland. It’s important to note that while similar in name to the Middle Eastern dunam or dönüm, they are unrelated units of measure with different sizes and origins.