Old Map of Munster, Ireland

Historical Background

Joan Blaeu’s Momonia, Hibernice Moun et Woun; Anglice Mounster presents southern Ireland through coloured territorial divisions, rivers and a densely named coastline. The map belonged to Blaeu’s Amsterdam atlas series, with examples catalogued from 1654 and later editions. Its title gives Latin, Irish and English forms of Munster’s name. The particular atlas issue of this reproduced impression cannot be established from the front alone.

Map Details

• Original title: Momonia, Hibernice Moun et Woun; Anglice Mounster
• Mapmaker and publisher: Joan Blaeu
• Publication place: Amsterdam
• Publication period: Seventeenth century; the map appears in Blaeu atlas editions from 1654
• Area shown: Southern and south-western Ireland, with adjoining portions of Connacht and Leinster
• Orientation: North at the top
• Format: Engraved atlas map, with colour applied separately to the original impression
• Visible features: Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford; Clare or Thomond; the Shannon estuary; sailing ships and a crowned Irish harp

Counties and Older Territories

The map preserves familiar county names alongside older territorial and family labels. Cork occupies much of the south, while Kerry extends into the Atlantic-facing peninsulas. Limerick and Tipperary lie inland, with Waterford at the eastern edge. Clare is labelled Com. Clare or Tomound in the upper-left portion of the land.

The colouring should not be read as a modern administrative map. County names share space with districts such as Desmond and Ormond and with names associated with local families. This mixture provides a layered historical geography rather than a simple set of present-day boundaries.

Estuary, Peninsulas and Harbours

The Shannon estuary creates a broad opening between Clare and the country to its south. Farther down the western coast, the long peninsulas and deeply cut bays give Kerry and Cork their distinctive shape. Offshore islands are individually outlined, while rivers lead inland from the southern harbours.

Waterford is marked near the eastern coast, and Cork appears among the densely engraved settlements of the south. Small building symbols, pictorial hills and groups of trees distinguish towns and landscape features. These conventional signs convey an older understanding of the region without measured contours or a modern road network.

The Decorative Sea

Several sailing ships occupy the open waters west and south of Ireland. The large ocean lettering leaves space around them, contrasting with the tightly packed names on land. Two distance scales sit in their own ornamental panel at the lower left.

The title cartouche at the lower right is topped by a crowned Irish harp and surrounded by figures and plant forms. Royal arms appear above it at the opposite end of the eastern margin. Together, these details give the sheet its distinctive decorative balance and make the fine art reproduction rewarding to study closely.