Old Map of County Longford by Petty, 1685: Kenagh, Lanesborough, Ballymahon, Edgeworthstown, Abbeyshrule
This map of County Longford, originally published in 1685 by Sir William Petty, is a detailed political and physical map that provides a wealth of information about the region. The map is based on the Down Survey of Ireland, the first ever detailed land survey on a national scale anywhere in the world. Petty’s map is a reduced scale version of the original survey, but it still manages to capture the intricate details of the county, including roads, bridges, cities, places, bishopricks and archbishopricks. The map also includes pictorial representations of hills, forests, rivers, lakes and loughs, making it a valuable resource for historians and geographers alike.
Sir William Petty was a fascinating figure, a polymath who made significant contributions to a wide range of fields, including economics, statistics, and cartography. He was born in Hampshire, England, in 1623, and rose from humble beginnings to become a professor of anatomy at Oxford, a professor of music in London, and a Member of Parliament. Petty’s work on the Down Survey was a major undertaking, and it is considered to be one of the most important maps of Ireland ever produced.
The map itself is a beautiful example of cartography, with a wealth of detail and a clear, easy-to-read design. The map is oriented with north at the top, and it is divided into two sections by the River Shannon. The western section of the map shows the baronies of Longford, Abbeyshrule, and Moydow, while the eastern section shows the baronies of Ardagh, Granard, and Rathcline. The map also includes a detailed inset of the town of Longford, the county town.
One of the most striking features of the map is the level of detail that Petty has included. The map shows not only the major roads and towns, but also the smaller villages, churches, and castles. Petty has also included a number of natural features, such as the River Shannon, Lough Ree, and the Curlew Mountains. The map is also notable for its use of color, with different colors used to distinguish between the different baronies and to highlight the major roads and waterways.
Overall, this is a fascinating and informative map that provides a valuable glimpse into the history and geography of County Longford. It is a beautiful example of cartography, and it is sure to be of interest to historians, geographers, and anyone else with an interest in the history of Ireland.
This is an old map, and not every modern place is shown, or they may be on the map with a different name. If this was a modern map, covering the same area, the following things would be visible on the map:
Cities and Towns: – Longford – Lanesborough – Ballymahon – Edgeworthstown – Abbeyshrule – Killashee – Aughnacliffe – Drumlish – Granard – Ardagh – Ballinamuck – Mostrim – Newtownforbes – Ballymahon – Cloone – Kenagh – Moydow – Rathcline
Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.
This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.
This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.
The model in the listing images is holding the 16x16in (40x40cm) version of this map.
The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.
If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.
Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.
This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father’s Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.
This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you’d like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.
