Lunchtime Lecture by Dr Jacinta Prunty.

Lunchtime Lecture series organised by the Royal Irish Academy Library and the Irish Historic Towns Atlas 'Mapping city, town and country since 1824: the Ordnance Survey in Ireland.'

This was the Academy's Heritage Week lecture 2014, introduced by Prof. Mary E. Daly, Academy President.

The speaker contextualises the surveying of Ireland on the 6" scale: the survey was attempting to define boundaries for taxation purposes and to portray the country on an unprecedented scale, using scientific methods, rigorous standards and a highly systematised approach. The maps were to provide a full record of the living landscape. The maps would be authoritative and have legal standing. Colby drew up a Code of Instructions for the military and civilian surveyors; these were amended over time to cater for unforeseen issues. Larcom was responsible for the recruitment of linguists and antiquarian scholars for the Memoir and Placenames work. There was a clear chain of command and strong discipline. Training was to a high standard. The latest instruments were purchased and problems with triangulation, particularly of the Great Central Plain, were resolved. New instruments were developed. Contour lines were used. Placenames were recorded even if they were not to be used. Every piece of information was allocated a source. Issues arose of what should be included or omitted on the map, e.g. gravestones (omitted). How would the railways be superimposed on the maps? How should water-land boundaries be shown? (the Crown had foreshore rights, thus this was a key decision). How do you define a footpath? Revisions proved difficult, budgeting was very tight, there was pressure from various groups, e.g. industrialists, the railways, the Memoir group. Printing brought its own set of problems, and sales were necessary to enable the project to continue. These and many other issues facing the Survey are discussed in the course of this lecture.

Location: Academy House

Date: Wednesday 27 August, 2014

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