Humanities Series

Mapping city, town and country since 1824: the Ordnance Survey in Ireland - RIA Library/IHTA Lunchtime Lectures. 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 triang