 Horseleap dates back to the 12th century and is steeped in Uí Néill, Geoghegan history.The village's Irish name ("Baile Átha an Urchair" or "Áth an Urchair") was historically anglicised as "Ballanurcher, Athnurcher" and "Ardnurcher".The name probably derives from the legend that Conchobar mac Nessa was killed here.