Irish Historic Towns Atlas: new Dublin suburbs series

The Royal Irish Academy, publisher of the Irish Historic Towns Atlas (IHTA), has announced that it is producing a Dublin suburbs series of atlases in collaboration with Dublin City Council. The first five suburbs to be completed in this scheme will be Clontarf by Colm Lennon, Rathmines by Seamus Ó Maitiú, Drumcondra by Ruth McManus, Inchicore/Kilmainham by Frank Cullen and Ringsend/Sandymount by Jacinta Prunty.

The first of the new series, Clontarf, by Colm
Lennon, will be published this month.

This series will be published in a new format but will complement the atlas series, enabling them to be compared to other towns atlases already published.

In the 152-page Clontarf atlas, which will be launched this evening, there are numerous historic and modern maps, illustrations and photographs as well as an accompanying essay and individual histories of topographic sites in Clontarf from earliest times up to c1970.

Clontarf has, of course, long been associated with the famous battle between the High King of Ireland, Brian Boru and the King of Leinster, Máel Móra mac Murchada in 1014. It had a considerable history before that battle due to its proximity to Dublin City, and in more recent centuries, developed into a prosperous suburb with grand villas and wide streets.

You can find out more about the Clontarf atlas, view a video from the author, and order a copy of the book (€30 / £28 / $40) at www.ria.ie. The publication will also be on sale in local bookshops.

ISBN: 978-1-908997-72-2