National Archives
Printable version E-mail this to a friend

Stunning collection of Irish maps now available online

A collection of early Irish maps (c.1558 – c.1610) from the 'State Papers Ireland' has, for the first time, been made available online by The National Archives. Everyone can now enjoy these valuable treasures at nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/irishmaps.asp.

The stunning collection comprises more than 70 different maps. These are among the earliest cartographic representations of Ireland, depicting plantations, fortifications and townships during the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I. The collection includes the famous 1567 map of Hibernia by John Goghe, maps signed by well known map makers Robert Lythe, Francis Jobson, Richard Bartlett and John Norden, as well as some bearing annotations in the hand of Sir William Cecil, one of Queen Elizabeth I's most important ministers. 

Rose Mitchell, Map Specialist at The National Archives, said: 'These maps were drawn at a time when the English were colonising or "planting" Ireland. By transferring land ownership from the native Irish to English settlers, the English were trying to increase the loyalty of Ireland to the English crown.'

'Colonists' tools'

Rose Mitchell also explained the use of maps in helping to inform a defence strategy against a background of ongoing clashes with Irish chieftains: 'Maps were one of the English colonists' tools, along with the written survey and the gun. They show information useful for defence, such as the location of castles and forts, difficult terrain for armies such as mountains and lakes, and strategic islands and river crossings.'

Rise of map making

Aside from the production of beautiful, hand-drawn parchment maps, the arduous work undertaken by early map makers of surveying unknown areas and difficult terrain helped to lay the foundations for modern cartography today. The period covered by this collection 'saw the rise of map making as a profession', Rose Mitchell added.

To celebrate the launch of the digitised collection, The National Archives is offering a free download of the barony map of Tullyhaw, County Cavan from DocumentsOnline.

Spotlight on women at Serco – Anita’s story