Old Map of County Kerry in 1844 by Samuel Lewis - Tralee, Killarney, Dingle
Discounts applied at checkout
Size chart below
Compiled by Samuel Lewis and dating from 1844, this detailed map offers a fascinating record of County Kerry on the eve of great change in Ireland. Tralee, the county town, is shown along with Killarney, already celebrated for the lakes and mountains that continue to draw visitors to Killarney National Park, and Dingle, known then as now for its sheltered harbour and strong Gaelic character. Many of the settlements marked here had already existed for centuries, some tracing their origins back to the medieval period, giving the map real historical depth that extends well beyond its nineteenth-century publication date and offering genuine insight into how Kerry's towns developed over hundreds of years.
Further place names spread out across the map's detail, from Kenmare at the head of Kenmare Bay to Listowel, birthplace of the playwright John B. Keane and long associated with its Writers' Week festival. Along the Ring of Kerry, Cahersiveen appears near the ruins of Ballycarbery Castle, while Caherdaniel sits close to Derrynane House, the ancestral home of Daniel O'Connell, overlooking Derrynane Bay. Elsewhere the map marks Killorglin on the banks of the River Laune, the seaside resort of Ballybunion, and smaller settlements including Castleisland, Sneem, Glenbeigh, Castlegregory and Ballyheigue, each contributing to a rich picture of Kerry life on the eve of the Great Famine.
For anyone with roots in this corner of southwest Ireland, this map makes a truly evocative piece of wall art for a hallway, living room or study. It is an ideal Christmas gift for family with Kerry connections, a heartfelt anniversary present for a couple who honeymooned around Killarney or the Ring of Kerry, a warm housewarming gift for someone setting up home away from Tralee or Dingle, or a thoughtful Mother's Day gift for a mum who still speaks fondly of Kenmare or Listowel. Detailed and richly named, it rewards long study and makes a lasting connection to Kerry's heritage.
