A New Map of Ireland

Large map of Ireland from Moll's "The World Described" on two sheets.

This map of Ireland was first issued as a loose sheet but became part of Moll's famous folio atlas " The World Described" and was widely disseminated, making it the most authoritative document of geographical knowledge of the country of the time. In many respects, it is based on a map first issued in 1708 by Henry Pratt; in fact, Moll acknowledges this by including Pratt’s name just to the right of his cartouche, claiming that it incorporates all of “Hen. Pratt’s Improvements viz roads, computed miles from town to town &c”. Indeed, the extent and detail of the road network present on the map is remarkable. However, Moll does add a series of insets on the lower border, mainly of the major harbours of Ireland, together with another image of the Giant’s Causeway and the Isle of Purgatory, also known as St. Patrick’s Purgatory. The map is also divided into its four major provinces, or kingdoms.

Moll's large maps are always difficult to date after their initial issue but the addresses of the sellers of these maps can often provide at least an approximate date. This example is dated c.1730.

Original colour. [IRE2066]