The Most Important Irish Maps Ever Published

Ireland has inspired some of the finest cartographers in Europe. From the first printed maps of the sixteenth century to the remarkable precision of the Ordnance Survey, historic Irish maps do far more than show geography—they record conquest, plantation, landownership, roads, towns and vanished landscapes. Today, the finest examples are prized by collectors, institutions and historians alike.

Here are some of the most significant maps ever produced of Ireland.

1. Ortelius’ Hiberniae (1573)

Published by the Flemish cartographer Abraham Ortelius in Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, the world’s first modern atlas, this was among the earliest widely circulated printed maps of Ireland. Although based upon earlier sources and imperfect by modern standards, it introduced Ireland to a European audience and remains one of the foundation stones of Irish cartography.

2. Mercator’s Ireland (1595)

Gerard Mercator’s elegant map refined earlier knowledge and became enormously influential. First appearing in his famous atlas, it established a cartographic style copied for generations and survives in numerous decorative editions sought by collectors.

3. Richard Bartlett’s Ulster Maps (c.1602–1603)

Produced during the Nine Years’ War, Bartlett’s remarkable manuscript maps depict towns, castles and military positions with extraordinary artistic detail. They provide an invaluable record of Ulster immediately before the Flight of the Earls and subsequent Plantation.

4. John Speed’s Kingdome of Ireland (1610)

Perhaps the most recognisable antique map of Ireland, John Speed’s beautifully engraved work combines geography with decorative coats of arms, city plans and historical notes. It remains one of the most collected Irish maps and is often regarded as the finest decorative map of seventeenth-century Ireland.

5. Sir William Petty’s Down Survey (1655–1658)

Following Cromwell’s conquest, Sir William Petty undertook the first scientifically organised survey of an entire country. Created to facilitate the redistribution of confiscated Irish land, the Down Survey transformed mapping forever. Although most original survey maps remained unpublished for centuries, they form the foundation of modern Irish land history and remain indispensable to researchers.

6. Herman Moll’s Ireland (1714)

Herman Moll’s richly engraved maps became some of the finest eighteenth-century representations of Ireland. His work improved coastal detail and influenced numerous later mapmakers, making original examples highly desirable today.

7. John Rocque’s County and Dublin Maps (1750s–1760s)
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John Rocque produced exceptionally accurate surveys, particularly of Dublin. His city map remains one of the greatest achievements in eighteenth-century urban cartography and provides an extraordinary snapshot of Georgian Dublin as it emerged into one of Europe’s great capitals.

8. Taylor & Skinner’s Road Maps (1778)

The first comprehensive road atlas of Ireland revolutionised travel by accurately charting the nation’s principal routes, bridges and market towns. It became an indispensable guide for travellers and merchants during the late eighteenth century.

9. Grand Jury County Maps (Late 18th–Early 19th Century)

Commissioned by county grand juries, these highly detailed surveys dramatically improved knowledge of Ireland’s counties. They bridged the gap between the Down Survey and the Ordnance Survey and remain essential references for local historians.

10. The First Edition Ordnance Survey (1829–1842)
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Often regarded as one of the greatest surveying achievements in history, the First Edition Ordnance Survey mapped every townland in Ireland at an unprecedented six inches to one mile. Its extraordinary accuracy established the standard for national mapping worldwide and remains the definitive record of Ireland before the Great Famine. The survey also standardised thousands of Irish place names that are still in use today.

Why Collectors Value Historic Irish Maps

Original Irish maps combine historical importance, artistic beauty and relative scarcity. They appeal to collectors of Irish history, genealogy, architecture and local heritage. A map depicting one’s hometown, estate or ancestral county often carries particular emotional significance, while the finest engraved examples by Speed, Ortelius and Mercator are admired as works of art in their own right.

Condition, original hand-colouring, early states and distinguished provenance can have a significant impact on value. As with rare books, originality is paramount: untouched examples with generous margins and strong impressions command the greatest prices.

The Enduring Legacy of Irish Cartography

Historic maps preserve landscapes that no longer exist. Lost castles, vanished villages, ancient roads and forgotten boundaries survive only because they were committed to paper centuries ago. Whether viewed as historical documents, decorative works of art or important investments, the greatest Irish maps remain among the most compelling artefacts of the nation’s past.

For collectors, owning an original map is more than acquiring a decorative print—it is preserving a unique record of Ireland’s evolving story.