13 Aug 2026 Early Modern Mapping in Ireland: Londonderry c. 1600 – 1630 – Dr. Annaleigh Margey

Dr. Annaleigh Margey

Early maps of Derry around the year 1600 capture a pivotal military transition, shifting from an ancient monastic settlement into an English garrison, and eventually the first planned city in Ireland. [1, 2, 3, 4]

The primary historical maps from this era fall into a few key collections:

• Sir Henry Docwra’s Campaigns (c. 1600–1602): The English established a strategic military base in Derry in 1600. Maps from this period map the River Foyle and detail the temporary English fortifications. [1, 2, 3]
• Richard Bartlett’s Maps of Ulster (c. 1602–1603): Bartlett was a famous royal cartographer tasked with mapping the uncharted Gaelic territories of the North. His vibrant, detailed maps of the region’s forts and castles are available in the National Library of Ireland Collections. [1, 2, 3]
• The Bodley Maps (1609–1610): Overseen by Sir Josias Bodley, these maps were created as part of the preparations for the Plantation of Ulster. They represent the earliest detailed townland mapping for the region and cover County Derry. Facsimiles of these maps can be explored via the Queen’s University Belfast Digital Library. [1, 2, 3, 4]