Irish Maps, 1558-1610
Cartography played a key role in the creation and consolidation of the British Empire, serving both military and administrative purposes. This series features 68 maps of Ireland from The National Archives, dating from the late sixteenth to the early seventeenth century. It includes beautifully illustrated maps by renowned cartographers such as Robert Lythe, Francis Jobson, Richard Bartlett and John Norden.
Key facts
1558-1610
Date range
More than
68
Images
Source
Map of Ireland produced in 1567 by John Goghe (The National Archives, MPF 1/68)
About this series
This series provides access to a remarkable collection of early Irish maps from The National Archives’ ‘State Papers Ireland’ series. Created during the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I, these maps were instrumental in supporting the English conquest and so-called ‘plantation’ of Ireland, a time when the Crown confiscated lands from Gaelic leaders, particularly in Munster, Ulster, and other regions, and redistributed them to English ‘planters’ and settlers.
These beautifully decorated maps were used to guide settlers by identifying rivers, bogs, fortifications, and harbours. Some include vivid illustrations of wildlife and even mythical sea creatures. Around the harbours, cartographers often depicted ships with cannons and sailors. Many maps also record the names of Gaelic clans and the lands they owned, for example, O’Hanlan in Armagh, O’Neill in Tyrone, and O’Connor in Roscommon.
Professional mapmaking was still in its early stages, and there were no established standards, meaning North is not always at the top. Mapmaking was also a dangerous profession. Cartographers were often navigating and surveying hostile, unfamiliar territory. One of the creators of these maps, Richard Bartlett, was beheaded in Tyrconnell, Donegal, by locals who were resisting the English plantation and did not want the English government to own maps of their lands.
A full list of the maps, along with their archival references, is available to download below.
This series provides access to a remarkable collection of early Irish maps from The National Archives’ ‘State Papers Ireland’ series. Created during the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I, these maps were instrumental in supporting the English conquest and so-called ‘plantation’ of Ireland, a time when the Crown confiscated lands from Gaelic leaders, particularly in Munster, Ulster, and other regions, and redistributed them to English ‘planters’ and settlers.
These beautifully decorated maps were used to guide settlers by identifying rivers, bogs, fortifications, and harbours. Some include vivid illustrations of wildlife and even mythical sea creatures. Around the harbours, cartographers often depicted ships with cannons and sailors. Many maps also record the names of Gaelic clans and the lands they owned, for example, O’Hanlan in Armagh, O’Neill in Tyrone, and O’Connor in Roscommon.
Professional mapmaking was still in its early stages, and there were no established standards, meaning North is not always at the top. Mapmaking was also a dangerous profession. Cartographers were often navigating and surveying hostile, unfamiliar territory. One of the creators of these maps, Richard Bartlett, was beheaded in Tyrconnell, Donegal, by locals who were resisting the English plantation and did not want the English government to own maps of their lands.
A full list of the maps, along with their archival references, is available to download below.
1558 map of Bantry Bay, Co Cork & Co Kerry (The National Archives, MPF 1/94)
1609 map of part of the Barony of Knockninny, Co Fermanagh, Ulster (The National Archives, MPF 1/38)
From the Archive
Explore stories, insights, and editorial deep dives that bring our Primary Source Series to life — from behind-the-scenes research to the broader historical context of each source.
Explore Irish Maps within our Primary Source Series
Agents or Victims of Empire?
Editorial Board
Cartography was a critical tool of Empire, and these maps offer a compelling view of colonisation in action in Ireland.
Dr Brian Donovan
Strategic Growth Lead and Historian