Old Maps of Ireland
Explore our collection of old maps of Ireland, ranging from decorative maps of the country as a whole to historic maps of its counties, provinces and principal cities.
The selection includes maps of Ulster, Leinster, Connacht and Munster, together with detailed views of Dublin and works by distinguished cartographers such as John Speed, John Rocque and Frederik de Wit. Old county boundaries, rivers, coastlines, settlements and historic place names reveal how Ireland was recorded across several centuries of mapmaking.
These maps offer an absorbing view of Irish geography and history, whether the connection is to a particular county, province, city or to Ireland as a whole.
Ireland in Historic Maps
Country, Province and County
Ireland has been mapped at many different scales. National maps emphasise the distinctive shape of the island and its surrounding seas. Provincial maps bring together broad historic regions, while county maps reveal a closer network of settlements, rivers, estates and local divisions. Plans of Dublin and other urban centres add another layer, showing streets and buildings within the expanding city.
Place Names Across Time
One of the pleasures of an old map of Ireland is discovering familiar places in unfamiliar forms. Spellings may reflect the mapmaker's sources, the changing use of Irish and English names, or the difficulty of transferring local sounds into print. Some small communities remain recognisable, while others have altered, merged or disappeared. These details can be especially rewarding for local and family research.
Maps, Land and Authority
Historic maps were made within particular political and administrative settings. County boundaries, territorial labels and the prominence given to towns or estates reflect the priorities of the period rather than a neutral modern view. Reading them with that context in mind makes them more informative: they show not only the land itself, but how it was organised and represented.
A Lasting Irish Connection
An old map can evoke a county of ancestry, a much-loved landscape or a city associated with study, work or family life. Decorative cartouches, coats of arms and engraved coastlines give many examples strong visual appeal, while smaller place names invite close inspection. The reproductions are prepared to retain those historical details and the individual character of the original print.
