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THE Ó FIAICH TREASURES CARDINAL TOMÁS Ó FIAICH MEMORIAL LIBRARY & ARCHIVE

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  • THE Ó FIAICH TREASURESCARDINAL TOMÁS Ó FIAICH MEMORIAL LIBRARY & ARCHIVE

  • FROM THE COLLECTION OF THE Ó’FIACH LIBRARY

    THE Ó FIAICH TREASURESCARDINAL TOMÁS Ó FIAICH MEMORIAL LIBRARY & ARCHIVE

  • FROM THE COLLECTION OF THE Ó’FIACH LIBRARY

    AAbraham Exalted Father

    Adam Man of Earth

    Addison Son of Adam

    Adler Eagle

    Adley The Just

    Adrian The Dark One

    Aedan Born of Fire

    Aiken The Oaken

    Alan Handsome One

    Alastair Defender of Men

    Albern Of Noble Valor

    Albert Noble, Bright

    Albion White or Fair

    Alden Wise Guardian

    Aldis From the Old House

    Aldrich Old Wise Leader

    Alexander Great Protector

    Alfie Form of Alfred

    Alfred Supernaturally Wise

    Arnold Strong as an Eagle

    Arthur Follower of Thor

    Arvel Wept Over

    Atwater From the Waterside

    Atwood Forest Dweller

    Aubrey Ruler of the Elves

    Austin Helpful

    Avery Elfin Ruler

    Axel Man of Peace

    Albion White or Fair

    Alden Wise Guardian

    Aldis From the Old House

    Aldrich Old Wise Leader

    Alexander Great Protector

    Alfie Form of Alfred

    Alfred Supernaturally Wise

    Arnold Strong as an Eagle

    Arthur Follower of Thor

    Arvel Wept Over

    Atwater From the Waterside

    Atwood Forest Dweller

    Aubrey Ruler of the Elves

    Austin Helpful

    BBaird Bard or Minstrel

    Baldwin Princely Friend

    Barclay Meadow of Birch Trees

    Barnaby Prophet

    Baron Nobleman

    Barrett Bear-Like

    Barry Marksman

    Bartholomew Warlike

    Basil King-like

    Benedict Blessed

    Benjamin Son of Right Hand

    Benton Moor Dweller

    Bernard Stern Bear

    Bert Bright

    Bevis Bowman

    Burgess Citizen of a Town

    Burton Fortress

    Byron Bear

    Baird Bard or Minstrel

    Baldwin Princely Friend

    Barclay Meadow of Birch Trees

    Barnaby Prophet

    Baron Nobleman

    Barrett Bear-Like

    Barry Marksman

    Bartholomew Warlike

    Basil King-like

    Benedict Blessed

    Benjamin Son of Right Hand

    Benton Moor Dweller

    Bernard Stern Bear

    Bert Bright

    Bevis Bowman

    Burgess Citizen of a Town

    Burton Fortress

    Byron Bear

    presubscribersDDriscoll Interpreter

    Dudley Residence Name

    Duncan Dark Skinned Warrior

    Durwin Beloved Friend

    Dwayne Field or Meadow

    Dwight White or Fair

    Dylan Faithful, Loyal

    Driscoll Interpreter

    Dudley Residence Name

    Duncan Dark Skinned Warrior

    Durwin Beloved Friend

    Dwayne Field or Meadow

    Dwight White or Fair

    Dylan Faithful, Loyal Driscoll

    Interpreter

    Dudley Residence Name

    Duncan Dark Skinned Warrior

    Durwin Beloved Friend

    Dwayne Field or Meadow

    Dwight White or Fair

    Dylan Faithful, Loyal Driscoll

    Interpreter

    Dudley Residence Name

    Duncan Dark Skinned Warrior

    Durwin Beloved Friend

    Dwayne Field or Meadow

    Dwight White or Fair

    Dylan Faithful, Loyal Driscoll

    Interpreter

    Dudley Residence Name

    Duncan Dark Skinned Warrior

    Durwin Beloved Friend

    Dwayne Field or Meadow

    Dwight White or Fair

    Dylan Faithful, Loyal

    EEarl Nobleman

    Eaton From the Riverside

    Ebenezer Rock of Help

    Edan Fiery Flame

    Edgar Fortunate Spear

    Edric Prosperous Ruler

    Edmond Guardian of the Riches

    Edward Happy Protector

    Edwin Valuable Friend

    Efrain Guardian of the Mists

    Egan Ardent

    Egbert Formidably Brilliant

    Egerton The Edge

    Egil A Sting

    Elbert Nobly Brilliant

    Eldon Respected

    Eldwin Sage Friend

    Elijah Highest

    Elias Jehovah is God

    Elliott Close to God

    Ellery Cheerful

    Esmond Protective Grace

    Ethan Constant, Firm, Strong

    Ethen Endurance

    Eugene Born of the Yew Tree

    Evan Young Warrior

    Everett Wild Boar

    Ezra The Helper

    Elijah Highest

    Elias Jehovah is God

    Elliott Close to God

    Ellery Cheerful

    Esmond Protective Grace

    Ethan Constant, Firm, Strong

    Ethen Endurance

    Eugene Born of the Yew Tree

    Evan Young Warrior

    Everett Wild Boar

    Ezra The Helper

    CCadman Warrior

    Calvert Shepherd

    Caldwell Near a Cold Well

    Caleb Faithful

    Calvin Bald

    Carrick Rock

    Carl Farmer

    Carlton From Carl’s Farm

    Carney Warrior

    Cadman Warrior

    Calvert Shepherd

    Caldwell Near a Cold Well

    Caleb Faithful

    Calvin Bald

    Carrick Rock

    Carl Farmer

    Carlton From Carl’s Farm

    Carney Warrior

    Cadman Warrior

    Calvert Shepherd

    Caldwell Near a Cold Well

    Caleb Faithful

    Calvin Bald

    Carrick Rock

    Carl Farmer

    Carlton From Carl’s Farm

    Carney Warrior Cadman Warrior

    Calvert Shepherd

    Caldwell Near a Cold Well

    Caleb Faithful

    Calvin Bald

    Carrick Rock

    Carl Farmer

    Carlton From Carl’s Farm

    Carney Warrior

    FFabian Bean Farmer

    Fairfax Fair Haired

    Falkner Falcon Trainer

    Farley Distant Meadow

    Farrell Man of Valor

    Felix Prosperous

    Fenton From the Flat Lands

    Ferdinand Adventurous in Life

    Fergal Brave and Couragous

    Fergus, Strong and Virile

    Ferris Iron Worker

    Finbar The Fair

    Fitzgerald Son of Gerald

    Fleming Originating from Flanders

    Fletcher Arrow Maker

    Floyd The Hollow

    Forbes Prosperous

    Forrest Woodsman

    Foster Bird Catcher

    Fox Cunning

    Francis Free

    Frank Free Man

    Frasier Strawberry

    Frederick Peaceful Ruler

    Freeman A Freeman

    Falkner Falcon Trainer

    Farley Distant Meadow

    Farrell Man of Valor

    Felix Prosperous

    Fenton From the Flat Lands

    Ferdinand Adventurous in Life

    Fergal Brave and Couragous

    Fergus, Strong and Virile

    Ferris Iron Worker

    Finbar The Fair

    Fitzgerald Son of Gerald

    Fleming Originating from Flanders

    Fletcher Arrow Maker

    Floyd The Hollow

    Forbes Prosperous

    Forrest Woodsman

    Foster Bird Catcher

  • FROM THE COLLECTION OF THE Ó’FIACH LIBRARY

    Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich, Archbishop of Armagh, died 8 May 1990. In his will, dated 30 November 1989, he asked his successor to authorize the committee of Cumann Seanchais Ard Mhacha, the Armagh Diocesan Historical Society, to make suit-

    able arrangements for the accommodation and care of his historical

    papers and library. Tomás Ó Fiaich was associated with the founding

    of the Society, 17 May 1953, and was editor of its journal, Seanchas

    Ard Mhacha, 1954-1977. In response to his will a charitable trust was

    established by Cardinal Cahal Daly, named ‘The Cardinal Tomás Ó

    Fiaich Memorial Library & Archive Trust’. A special committee set up by

    Cumann Seanchais Ard Mhacha appointed Fr Fergal Granell, OFM,

    Franciscan House of Studies, Killiney, Dublin, and Mr David C. Sheehy,

    diocesan archivist, Dublin, to investigate how the cardinal’s books and

    papers should be accommodated and form a nucleus for expansion.

    They recommended a purpose built library/archive with equal status to

    the two distinct professions; it would promote study and research and

    specialize in Tomás Ó Fiaich’s interests

    in Irish history, especially ecclesiastical history

    in Irish culture, especially the Irish language and Irish games

    in Irish-European links; and

    in Irish-American links

    (now extended to Irish abroad generally)

    P & B Gregory, Architects, were appointed to plan the new building and

    a site in the vicinity of St Patrick’s Cathedral was graciously granted

    by Cardinal Daly on behalf of the Archdiocese of Armagh. The new

    foundation was to be free and independent and open to the public,

    but it would accommodate the Armagh Catholic diocesan archives

    and would serve long-term diocesan needs. A diocesan collection,

    donations from companies, institutions, and individuals and a most

    generous grant from the British Heritage and Lottery Fund enabled the

    building to go ahead. Subsequently some financial aid was received

    from government in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The

    committee was greatly indebted to Mr Séamus O’Hara, Belfast, who

    drew up the trust deed and negotiated the grant from the Heritage Lot-

    tery Fund.

    Fittingly on the Eighth of May, 1999, the ninth anniversary

    of Tomás Ó Fiaich’s death, the library/archive was opened by Dr

    Marjorie Mowlam, Secretary of State, Belfast, and Dr James McDaid

    TD, Dublin, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation representing

    the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. Both addressed the guests present. Dr

    Pa nonsequatat ut pa deliquatum volent etur

    Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich, 19??

    foundations of the library

    Mowlam unveiled a plaque recording the official opening of the library/

    archive. Mrs Primrose Wilson also unveiled a plaque, recording the as-

    sistance given by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

    Present also were Most Rev. Luciano Stirero, Papal Nuncio to Ireland,

    Archbishop Seán Brady, who gave the address of welcome, Arch-

    bishop Robin Eames, Dr Samuel Hutchinson, General Secretary of the

    Presbyterian Church, the Rev. David Kerr, President of the Methodist

    Church, Dean Proinsias Mac Giolla Earnáin, Mr Seámus Mallon, MP,

    Deputy First Minister Designate, Mr John Hume, MEP, recipient of

    the Nobel Peace Prize, former history student of Cardinal Ó Fiaich,

    representatives from Armagh City and District Council, the Southern

    Education and Library Board, the Department of Education, sport per-

    sonalities and Mrs Deirdre Fee and close relatives of Cardinal Ó Fiaich.

    There was a varied gathering of churchmen, historians, representatives

    of local historical societies, donors and members of Cumann Sean-

    chais Ard Mhacha. The church leaders joined Archbishop Brady in the

    blessing prayer.

    There was high praise for Mr Paul Mongan and Mr Peadar Murphy of

    P & B Gregory Architects, Belfast, who designed the beautiful building,

    and for O’Hanlon Brothers, builders. In his speech Mgr Raymond

    Murray, chairman of the library/archive management committee, paid a

    special tribute to trustee and friend Dr Micheline Kerney Walsh, former

    director of the Overseas Archives, who left to the library/archive her

    vast collection of French/Irish, Spanish/Irish material. Some years

    later, under the presidency of Dr Art Cosgrove, University College,

    Dublin, donated the remainder of her collection to the Ó Fiaich Library/

    Archive. Mgr Murray thanked among others, Mr Andy Morrow, SELB,

    Mr Gerard Lyne, National Library of Ireland, Mr Anthony Malcom-

    son, Public Records Office of Northern Ireland, and Professor Mary

    McAleese, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University, Belfast who

    recommended the establishment of the library/archive and gave it

    unreserved support. Ms Fiona Trainor provided background music

    on the harp and Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin sang the Cardinal’s favourite

    song Úr-Chill an Chreagáin. Mr John Hume gave the address at the

    dinner celebration. Author and friend of Cumann Seanchais Ard Mh-

    acha, Róisín Ní Mheara-Vinard travelled from Austria for the occasion

    and, again emphasizing Cardinal Ó Fiaich’s interest in early Irish links

    with Europe, Dr Peter Ochsenbein, librarian of the Stiftsbibliothek, St

    Gallen, Switzerland, crowned the day with an illustrated talk on the Irish

    treasures in the famous St Gallen Library.

    Foundation and Opening of the Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich Memorial Library & Archive

  • FROM THE COLLECTION OF THE Ó’FIACH LIBRARY

    T he primary emphasis in this collection is on native Irish sports and pastimes, Gaelic games – hurling, shinty, Gaelic football, handball and camogie – and road bowls in particular. The range of hundreds of books available in the library

    on these subjects rivals any other library collection.

    Among the most valuable items held here are the minute-books

    of the Ulster Council of the GAA from 1917 to 1975. These are

    important not merely for sporting history, for they also provide

    an insight into northern Irish nationalist perspectives through

    the early years of partition. Alongside these are minutes of GAA

    Central Council meetings and national congresses from as far

    back as the 1930s.

    Equally, the collection contains many other GAA minute-books

    from which precious information on the history of local sport

    and society may be gleaned: those of the Armagh County

    Board from 1933 to the 2000s; those of the Tyrone County

    Board from 1926 onwards; a minute-book of Armagh Harps

    club from 1904; various minutes books of the Brian Oges

    Gaelic Football and Hurling Club, Cookstown

    from 1907 onwards; and miscellaneous

    records and items of correspondence

    from counties Down, Monaghan and

    Cavan over the decades.

    The collection of material on Irish sport in the Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich Memorial Library and Archive is one of the most impressive and popular aspects of the library’s holdings.

    Pa nonsequatat ut pa deliquatum volent etur aborrup tasiminto ius,

    optios nulpa conserro doluptam harchic imporeris sunt, quiatur eperae.

    Itatias et esti berae doluptat vendae et essum in rersper ibusam, am

    aliasitem es eum hilluptate etur molorpori nonsedi id ex ese quam

    dellaut que maximin con nonsento velest que prepernat est volland

    Another special feature of the CÓFLA Gaelic games collection

    is the large archive of old match-programmes, which includes

    All-Ireland and Ulster championship final souvenirs right back to

    the early 1940s. These are complemented by an extensive set of

    Gaelic games periodicals and numerous scanned photographs of

    GAA-related material

    The focus on road bowls in the CÓFLA collection reflects the

    long and unique history of this sport in the surrounding Armagh/

    Tyrone area. Among the items of memorabilia relating to this

    game to be found in the library are the minute-books of An Ból-

    Chumann, Ard Mhacha, from the 1960s and 1970s, and various

    books, programmes, photographs and trophies.

    On a wider sporting front, there is a wealth of additional material.

    The library holds bound minute-books of the Youth and Sports

    Council for Northern Ireland for 1962-65 (its inaugural triennial

    period) and 1968-71, which are not available in any other public

    archive. From these records one may obtain information of great

    significance on the first statutory body on the island of Ireland

    that was appointed specifically to deal with matters of sport and

    recreation, right across the sporting spectrum.

    The ever-expanding CÓFLA collection further comprises a large

    number of books on sports such as athletics, association football,

    cricket, rugby union, golf, motor-racing, boxing, horse-racing and

    show-jumping.

    Pa nonsequatat ut pa deliquatum

    Pa nonsequatat ut pa deliquatum

    irish sport

  • FROM THE COLLECTION OF THE Ó’FIACH LIBRARY

    In the early twentieth century the Ulster Council and county boards were usually struggling to make ends meet, and generally they could not afford to purchase fitting trophies for their competitions. Instead they relied on generous benefactors to provide their trophies. One of

    the earliest and most outstanding examples of this is the McKillop Cup.

    William McKillop was born in Scotland, but his father was from Co. An-

    trim. He was elected as Nationalist MP for North Sligo in 1900. In 1906

    he switched constituencies to run in South Armagh. Upon becoming a

    candidate in Armagh, he offered this trophy to the county board of the

    GAA. He was duly elected unopposed. The presentation of this cup is

    his only known connection to the GAA – although back in 1887 he had

    been on the committee that set up Glasgow Celtic FC soccer club – but

    even so it was not an unusual action on his part. Various MPs donated

    trophies for sport, such as J. B. Lonsdale, a Unionist Member for Mid

    Armagh, who gave patronage to local soccer around the same time.

    The cup is made of solid silver, weighs over 82 ounces, and as de-

    scribed at the time, is beautifully chased in Gaelic chasing, in high relief,

    with finely proportioned handles, in the form of a winged Hebes’. It is sur-

    mounted with the finely modelled figure of a Gaelic footballer with ball in

    hands, standing on a playing pitch clad in shamrocks. On one side of the

    cup is depicted a view of an old Irish round tower, with an Irish wolfhound

    lying on watch and guard at base, and a sunset in the background. An

    ancient Celtic cross and ruined monastery are also blended with the

    scene. The cup stands two feet in height and is mounted on an ebony

    plinth with silver shields for the winners’ names.

    County Championships & Patronage

    The McKillop Cup was originally presented to the winners of the county

    Gaelic football league, and the first team to win it was Crossmaglen Red

    Hands. In 1931 it was reallocated to the county senior football champion-

    ship, for which it remained the prize until 1995, when it was replaced with

    the Gerry Fegan Cup. Alongside it in the Ó Fiaich Library collection is

    the MacOscar Cup. This rose-bowl-shaped trophy which was presented

    in 1930 by the county chairman, Rev. H. MacOscar, for junior football

    clubs in Ard Mhacha.

    There are several other notable old Gaelic games trophies too. The

    Owen Roe O Neill Challenge Cup was presented by Anthony Lucy, M.A.

    – a London resident who had lived at Carrowcolman, Eglish, as a boy –

    to the Presentation Brothers, Dungannon, for competition among local

    schools in 1913. There are also several trophies belonging to the Ulster

    Council. These include the original Dr McKenna Cup (1925), and the Dr

    Lagan Cup (which was the prize for the northern section of the National

    Football League from 1943 until the 1960s). [Medals?] There is also a

    replica of the Sigerson Cup for inter-varsity football, which was originally

    presented in 1911 by Dr George Sigerson, a professor and native of

    Holyhill, near Strabane.

    COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS & PATRONAGE

    McKillop Cup

    MacOscar Cup

    OR O Neill Cup

    Sigerson Cup

  • FROM THE COLLECTION OF THE Ó’FIACH LIBRARYFROM THE COLLECTION OF THE Ó’FIACH LIBRARY

    Until the second half of the nineteenth century Italy did not exist as a separate political entity Before that the territory was made up of a number of independent states, e.g. the Kingdom of Sardinia and Piedmont, Parma

    Tuscany, as well as the papal States, while part of the north was

    occupied by Austria.

    In 1859 the army of Piedmont assisted by French forces and

    Italian nationalists defeated the Austrians, and by the end of

    the year a number of the other independent states joined the

    movement for unification. The Papal States were now facing

    forcible incorporation into the new kingdom, their position

    not being helped by the decision of one of the provinces,

    Romagna, to vote in favour of a provisional government under

    the Piedmontese king, Victor Emanuel. A variety of tactics was

    employed against the Papal States.- a vicious propaganda

    campaign, encouragement of desertion among the papal soldiers

    and of internal rebellion. An attempt was also made to do a deal

    with the Pius IX. However, he considered it a solemn duty to

    maintain the authority of the Holy See over this territory, and he

    decided to appeal to the Catholic world for support.

    In Austria there was an enthusiastic response from some nobles

    of Irish origin, among them General Count Nugent and Count

    Charles O’Donnell. Nugent won the approval of the Emperor

    to recruit and train a battalion. O’Donnell, for his part, after an

    interview with the Pope and the Cardinal Secretary of State, was

    sent to Ireland to establish a military corps for the service of the

    Holy See. He travelled through the country making arrangements

    for recruiting, his efforts being greatly assisted by A. M. Sullivan,

    editor of the influential newspaper “The Nation” and J. F. Maguire,

    founder of the “Cork Examiner”, and when he left Ireland plans

    were well advanced for the formation of the Papal Battalion of

    Saint Patrick.

    The idea of defending the Pope and the Holy See was obviously

    have been a powerful motivating factor in persuading Irish men

    to join, while memories of the achievements of Irish brigades in

    the service of foreign armies in previous centuries would also

    have been an inspiration. As recruitment was in progress an

    official statement from Dublin Castle appeared in the newspapers

    reminding the public that entering the service of foreign armies

    was illegal, with the result that the recruits had to travel as

    emigrants.

    The recruits numbered over one thousand and came from all

    classes of society. They included labourers, farmers, students,

    shop assistants and doctors as well as old soldiers who had

    fought in other campaigns and members of the RIC. Among them

    were a few Irish speakers from Kerry.

    The man who was given command of this force was Myles O’Reilly,

    author of this letter. He was born in Dublin in 1825, educated in

    England and awarded an LLD degree in Rome, where he became

    acquainted with members of the Catholic hierarchy. On his return

    to Ireland he took over the family estate in County Louth where

    he was a very successful farmer. He was also a brilliant lawyer,

    travelled widely and was keenly interested in educational matters,

    but declined an offer from Newman of a chair in the recently

    established recently established university. The invitation from

    Pius IX to take charge of the Irish battalion was a difficult on for

    him as he had only recently been married. However, his loyalty to

    the Church was the deciding factor in his decision.

    defending the papal states

    The volunteers arrived in Italy by different routes in the spring

    of 1860 and were quartered in different places in the Papal

    States. Conditions were far from ideal – the accommodation

    was unsatisfactory, food apart from being unfamiliar was of poor

    quality, and pay was very low. Military discipline was new to

    many of them and some were unable to accept the conditions

    and returned home. There were a few incidents of misbehaviour,

    which the hostile anti-papal press exaggerated to blacken not

    only the reputation of the Irish but also the whole papal army.

    Other problems which had to be faced were the short time

    required for training and the quality of the weapons, some of

    which were out-of-date.

    War was declared on September 11th , but because of the

    superiority of the Piedmontese army, not only in numbers, but also

    in military skills and experience, the outcome was inevitable. The

    Irish were involved in four different engagements – at Perugia,

    Castelfidardo, Ancona and Spoleto. Everywhere the Irish fought

    with great courage, which was favourably commented upon, even

    by their opponent, and in some cases expressed disappointment

    when their officers decided that surrender was necessary.

    O’Reilly himself was based in Spoleto. He had units from six

    different nationalities under his command, and had hoped to

    have with him the other Irish who had been stationed at the other

    locations but this did not prove to be possible. Spoleto is a walled

    city built on the side of a steep hill. One of its features is the

    Rocca or citadel built in the fourteenth century; it is a very large

    oblong building with six square towers surrounded by massive

    walls. This would be the focal point of the defence of the town.

    The attack took place on 17th September, the Piedmontese-

    Sardinian army being confident that the city could be taken in

    two hours. Early in the morning O’Reilly was asked to surrender,

    but he refused to do so, saying that he held the city for Pius

    IX. Firing began shortly after eight o’clock, and, apart from a

    brief ceasefire around eleven o’clock continued until eight in the

    evening. At this stage with his ammunition almost exhausted,

    the men worn out and several breaches in the walls, O’Reilly

    decided to surrender. A representative of the Pope met the Italian

    general to seek terms. These were granted and proved to be

    very generous, the general speaking very highly of the bravery of

    the Irish. As the garrison, now prisoners-of-war, left, the officers

    were allowed to carry their swords.

    The Irish made their way to Genoa where they were imprisoned

    for a short time. After their release they travelled by steamer and

    by rail to Le Havre. From here they sailed to Cork, where they

    arrived on November 3rd to an enthusiastic welcome.

    O’Reilly also was warmly received when he returned to Ireland.

    He was elected liberal MP for Longford in 1862. In parliament

    he looked after Catholic interests and gave particular attention

    to education. He resigned from parliament in 1879 when he

    was offered the post of assistant commissioner for intermediate

    education in Ireland. He died on February 6th 1880.

  • FROM THE COLLECTION OF THE Ó’FIACH LIBRARY

    Ireland was mapped by several cartographers before the seventeenth

    century and the product of their combined efforts varied in scale, skill

    and accuracy. A number of maps appeared in the second half of the

    sixteenth century and in the early part of the seventeenth, most notably

    that by Baptista Boazio c.1599. The accuracy of the detail contained in

    these maps was much better for the southern and eastern coasts than

    for Connaught and Ulster. This was due in a large part to the hostile

    nature of these territories and the general absence of a serious attempt

    to chart the western and northern coastlines.

    As the Nine Years War reached a conclusion and English forces exercised

    greater control over the lands of the defeated Irish chieftainships these

    previously uncharted territories opened up to new mapmakers.

    John Speed began work not as a mapmaker by as a tailor in London.

    He became interested in history and cartography and became highly

    regarded in this field by the 1590s. In 1612 he had a volume of maps

    published under the title of Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine. It is

    possible that as James I was by this time not only king of England Wales

    and Scotland but also regarded as conqueror of Ireland that Speed

    decided to include the latter in his atlas as a gesture of recognition.

    As with many of the previous maps of the country there is little evidence

    to suggest that Speed spent much if any time in Ireland. He readily

    admitted employing the work of previous cartographers in his own draft.

    Speed does, however, on occasion employ scaled drawings of his own

    which by implication tells us that he had some level of familiarity with a

    number of settlements. It does not appear that this knowledge stretched

    into the interior of the country. On the western seaboard he repeats an

    error common on Tudor maps of Ireland in that neither Galway nor Mayo

    are given their true westernly extent. The north western coast, however,

    is much more accurate that previous surveys probably due to the post

    war surveys in Donegal and the fact that the coastline had recently been

    charted from the sea.

    Among the interesting features of Speed’s map of Ulster is the inclusion

    of the sites at Tullaghogue as ye stone where O’Neill is chosen and

    Owen Maugh (Emain Mhacha) The ancient seat of the kings of Ulster.

    Both of these site were of historical rather than contemporary importance

    the latter having been destroyed by the English after the defeat of O’Neill

    at Kinsale in 1601. This is probably the first map specifically drawn to

    show the extent of the province of Ulster which Speed took to include

    ten counties including Louth.

    Map of Ireland c.1610

    Maps by John Speed

  • FROM THE COLLECTION OF THE Ó’FIACH LIBRARY

    Ireland was mapped by several cartographers before the seventeenth

    century and the product of their combined efforts varied in scale, skill

    and accuracy. A number of maps appeared in the second half of the

    sixteenth century and in the early part of the seventeenth, most notably

    that by Baptista Boazio c.1599. The accuracy of the detail contained in

    these maps was much better for the southern and eastern coasts than

    for Connaught and Ulster. This was due in a large part to the hostile

    nature of these territories and the general absence of a serious attempt

    to chart the western and northern coastlines.

    As the Nine Years War reached a conclusion and English forces

    exercised greater control over the lands of the defeated Irish

    chieftainships these previously uncharted territories opened up to new

    mapmakers.

    John Speed began work not as a mapmaker by as a tailor in London.

    He became interested in history and cartography and became highly

    regarded in this field by the 1590s. In 1612 he had a volume of maps

    published under the title of Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine. It is

    possible that as James I was by this time not only king of England Wales

    and Scotland but also regarded as conqueror of Ireland that Speed

    decided to include the latter in his atlas as a gesture of recognition.

    As with many of the previous maps of the country there is little

    evidence to suggest that Speed spent much if any time in Ireland.

    He readily admitted employing the work of previous cartographers

    in his own draft. Speed does, however, on occasion employ scaled

    drawings of his own which by implication tells us that he had some

    level of familiarity with a number of settlements. It does not appear

    that this knowledge stretched into the interior of the country. On the

    western seaboard he repeats an error common on Tudor maps of

    Ireland in that neither Galway nor Mayo are given their true westernly

    extent. The north western coast, however, is much more accurate that

    previous surveys probably due to the post war surveys in Donegal

    and the fact that the coastline had recently been charted from the sea.

    Among the interesting features of Speed’s map of Ulster is the

    inclusion of the sites at Tullaghogue as ye stone where O’Neill

    is chosen and Owen Maugh (Emain Mhacha) The ancient seat of

    the kings of Ulster. Both of these site were of historical rather than

    contemporary importance the latter having been destroyed by the

    English after the defeat of O’Neill at Kinsale in 1601. This is probably

    the first map specifically drawn to show the extent of the province of

    Ulster which Speed took to include ten counties including Louth.

    Map of Ulster c.1610

    Maps by John Speed