Friday 7 November 2014

Irish Historic Towns Atlas: Dublin 1756-1847 published

http://www.ria.ie/Publications/Books/Research-Series/Irish-Historic-Towns-Atlas/IHTA-26--Irish-Historic-Towns-Atlas--no--26-DublinThe latest in the Dublin series of Irish Historic Towns Atlas (IHTA) was launched last night in Dublin by Roddy Doyle. Dublin, part III, 1756 to 1847 comes complete with twenty-five historic and reconstruction maps along with text detailing an era when the capital experienced key growth phases that included dockland development and Georgian building.

Published by the Royal Irish Academy in association with Dublin City Council, this atlas traces the history and development of Dublin through the late-eighteenth and early-nineteenth century when many of the city’s modern streets were laid out. The south eastern area of the city was drained and Merrion Square was constructed, blocking the sea view that Leinster House enjoyed.

Author Rob Goodbody brought his expertise to the project as a former senior executive planner at Dublin City Council and a historic buildings consultant to this atlas, which contains histories of over 11,000 urban sites along with the maps and views of Dublin.

The book spans seminal events in Irish history including the 1798 Rebellion, Act of Union, Catholic Emancipation, free national school education and industrialisation of the city, right up to the eve of the Famine in 1847. It has large-scale colour maps that depict the city in 1847 at two different scales, which can be compared with a modern town plan of 2012. A CD-ROM of maps and images comes with the publication. Cost €35 (or €30, if you're very quick to the following link!). It is available to buy online from the Royal Irish Academy and book shops nationwide. ISBN: 978-1-908996-34-3.

The IHTA project was established in 1981 and set out to record the topographical development of a selection of Irish towns both large and small in the wake of the Wood Quay portests of the 1970s. To date Limerick, Ennis and Belfast are among the twenty-six town atlases published.