Old Map of County Down in 1844 by Lewis - Belfast, Bangor, Newtownards

Samuel Lewis published this map of County Down in 1844 as part of the atlas accompanying his Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, a companion project to the English dictionary he had produced a few years earlier, recording the towns, parishes and boundaries of Ireland's counties as they stood in the mid-nineteenth century. The map sets down County Down as it was before later Victorian growth reshaped much of Ulster, and because of that some of today's place names and boundaries differ from what is shown here, or appear under earlier forms, which adds an element of genuine historical discovery for anyone tracing the county's development. As with Lewis's other county maps, the sheet combines careful topographical detail with a clear layout, making it as useful for study as it is for display.

Belfast appears with its harbour and the emerging industrial landscape that would come to define the city, while Bangor is shown as a seaside town with its historic Abbey and coastline. Newtownards is marked close to Strangford Lough, and Holywood appears with its ancient monastery and views across Belfast Lough, with the village of Strangford itself sitting on the shores of the lough further south. Beyond these five, the map also takes in Newry on the River Clanrye, Downpatrick with its cathedral associations to Saint Patrick, Banbridge and its later linen trade, Dundonald near its historic castle, Comber, Donaghadee as a busy seaport, Kilkeel with its fishing tradition, Ballynahinch, Hillsborough close to Hillsborough Castle, and Saintfield. Together these towns give a thorough picture of County Down's coastline and inland market towns as they stood in 1844.

This map would suit anyone with family roots in County Down, whether their people came from Belfast, Bangor or one of the smaller towns like Comber, Donaghadee or Saintfield, and it makes a fitting gift for a milestone birthday, a retirement, or a return to Northern Ireland after years spent living away. It would also appeal to a collector working through Lewis's Irish county maps one at a time, or to anyone with a particular interest in Strangford Lough and the towns, among them Newtownards, Downpatrick and Strangford itself, that grew up along its shores. It is available unframed and in a full range of sizes, so it can be scaled to fit a hallway, an office or a larger sitting-room wall.