Genealogy Australia

During the centuries after the Anglo-Norman invasions the ancient clan territories of the native Irish were slowly conquered and replaced by the English system of baronies and counties. This was the 'shiring' of Ireland, the process which eventually resulted in the thirty-two counties that are still in use today.

This is the first book dedicated to explaining Ireland's counties. It contains a wealth of fascinating and little-known facts such as the origin and meaning of these county names (some of which are over 2000 years old) and the names of the old baronies within each county. It also incorporates an index of over 500 family names showing the clans most associated with each region.

The maps in this book are replicas taken from a 300 years of original and show Ireland as it was when the thirty-two counties were first completed. The original was itself based on the map submitted by William Petty in 1665 after he completed the Down Survey (so called because all the information was immediately written down on site for greater accuracy). Petty's orders were to record, in detail, all lands forfeit by the native Irish after the brutal campaigns of Oliver Cromwell during the 1650s. His was the first map to depict Ireland's true shape and was so accurate it remains visually correct to the present day.

Contents:
The Irish Diaspora
A Short History of the Mapping of Ireland
The Evolution of the Counties of Ireland
Eire / Ireland
An Cabhan / Cavan
An Clar / Clare
An Iarmhi / Weatmeath
An Longfoirt / Longford
Aontroim / Antrim
Ard Mhacha / Armagh
Atha Cliath / Dublin
Ceatharlach / Carlow
Ciarrai / Kerry
Cill Chainnigh / Kilkenny
Cill Dara / Kildare
Cill Mhantain / Wicklow
Corcaigh / Cork
Doire / Derry
An Dun / Down
Dun na nGall / Donegal
Fear Manach / Fermanagh
Gaillimh / Galway
Laois / Leix
Liatroim / Leitrim
Loch Garman / Wexford
Lu / Louth
Luimneach / Limerick
Maigh Eo / Mayo
An Mhi / Meath
Muineachan / Monaghan
Port Lairge / Waterford
Ros Comain / Roscommon
Sligeach / Sligo
Tiobraid Arann / Tipperary
Tir Eoghain / Tyrone
Uibh Fhaili / Offaly
Index of Family Names