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ed_212 t1_j7tb5nl wrote

This convention is also sometimes used for people's names. I can't think of exact examples, but it occurs well into the 20th century, like 50s, 60s.

As Chaoticidealism said, it's just a thing to indicate that the information isn't important - it could've been any town in ireland, the minor character is any Smith or Jones. I think books went away from this as there was an ambition toward realism with an increase in detail and specificity.

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Disparition_2022 t1_j7v6x2j wrote

Sometimes when a person's name was blanked out it's to imply that they are some significant figure or aristocrat and the implication is that it would be "scandalous" if this story were known about them or associated with them. Adds to the mood.

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