University College Cork's Bonar Law collection the ‘best of its kind in the world’

THE Bonar Law Collection, the most complete visual record of Ireland, in map and print form, ever assembled by an expert private collector will be housed at University College Cork (UCC) and will be open to researchers and the general public.

The Bonar Law Collection comprises of close to 10,000 maps and approximately 9,000 prints, which include caricature prints and ballad sheets, many of which are unique to this collection.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin and Culture Minister Catherine Martin recently announced that the collection will be housed in the Boole Library at UCC.

Following discussions between the National Library of Ireland (NLI) and the Library of UCC, agreement has been reached and the NLI has entered into a loan arrangement with UCC which allows the collection to be placed in UCC.

Speaking yesterday at UCC, Mr Martin said: “This remarkable and vast array of maps, sea charts, and prints of Ireland represents the best collection of its kind anywhere in the world.

“It is unrivalled in the holdings of any public institution, including the British Library and the Library of Congress".

“I am delighted that we have been able to preserve this valuable asset.

“It offers a fascinating insight not only into Irish geographical history, but also into the changing political landscape of the last 200 years, for the benefit of the State and for the people of Ireland.”

President of UCC, Professor John O’Halloran said: “Through digital technology and innovative cartographic techniques, UCC research staff will activate the potential of the Bonar Law Collection to better understand how Ireland has changed, not just physically, but socially, politically, and ideologically through the ages.

“Through our award-winning Cork University Press Atlas Series and related documentaries, UCC has a strong track record in ensuring public engagement with Irish history and culture.”

The collection will be housed in the Boole Library and can be accessed by researchers and members of the public by contacting the UCC Library Special Collections and Archives team.