HARDIMAN, James. The History of the Town and County of the Town of Galway, from the earliest period to the present time. Embellished with several engravings and maps (many folding). To which is added, a  copious index, containing the principal charters and other original documents. [RARE FIRST EDITION]

Dublin: Folds, 1820. First edition. Quarto. pp. xvi, 320, lvi, [4] (index). Bound by Trevor Lloyd in half tan morocco on marbled boards, titled in gilt on elaborate gilt decorated spine. A very fine and attractive copy of the rare first edition.
James Hardiman (1782-1855) from Drummin, near Westport, County Mayo, was a distinguished Irish historian and lawyer. He was appointed Sub-Commissioner of the Public Record Commission in Ireland and was also a member of the Royal Irish Academy. Towards the end of his life he was librarian to the Queen’s College, nowUniversity College, Galway. His History of the Town of Galway was originally published in Dublin 1820 and is perhaps the most complete book of its kind ever written on an Irish provincial town and county. He also edited and translated A Description of West or Iar-Connacht for the Irish Archaeological Society which was published in 1846.