LODGE, John Esq. The Peerage of Ireland, or, A Genealogical History of the Present Nobility of that Kingdom. With engravings of their paternal Coats of Arms. Collected from the public Records; authentic Manuscripts; approved Historians; well-attested Pedigrees; and personal Information.

Four volumes. Dublin: Printed for J. Leathley, G. and A. Ewing, W. Smith, J. Smith, G. Faulkner, A. Bradley, and A. Moore, 1754. First edition. Crown octavo. Contemporary full calf, title and volume numbers in gilt on contrasting red and green morocco labels on professionally restored spines. Armorial bookplate of William Caulfield on front pastedown. A very attractive set.
ESTC N11875 locates 5 copies only in Ireland.
John Lodge, (died c.1774) Deputy Keeper of Bermingham Tower Records, later Deputy Keeper of the Rolls was a celebrated antiquary who first published this ‘Peerage of Ireland’ in 1754. The eminent Irish scholar Dr. Reeves said of him: “In the department of Genealogy he was the most distinguished compiler that Ireland has produced”. Lodge in the preface states: “The work then, in itself, is the History of all the noble Families, which, at present, compose the Peerage of Ireland, together with those of their descendants, whether existing or extinct, and, as many of their ancestors, from time to time, have had a notable share in the government and transactions of the kingdom, the history thereof, so far as they were engaged, naturally fell within my intended compass, and is faithfully stated”. What makes this work most invaluable is that nearly all the records John Lodge consulted were destroyed in the Four Courts in 1922.

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