Rare Old Map of County Sligo by Samuel Lewis, 1844: Ballymote, Tubbercurry, Enniscrone, Rosses Point, Lough Gill

The Old Map of Sligo by Samuel Lewis, created in 1844, is a captivating and historically significant piece that offers a glimpse into the past of County Sligo, Ireland. This meticulously crafted map showcases the region's distinctive features, towns, and cities, providing an invaluable resource for history enthusiasts, cartography aficionados, and anyone with a deep appreciation for the rich heritage of Ireland.

This map holds particular allure due to its portrayal of the main towns, cities, and other fascinating features, excluding Sligo itself. It's important to note that while some modern cities may not be represented on this map, others may appear under earlier names, adding an element of intrigue and discovery. The Old Map of Sligo by Samuel Lewis, 1844, is a genuine window into the past, allowing you to explore the historical landscape of County Sligo with unparalleled detail and authenticity.

Notable Settlements Founded Before 1840

• Sligo (c. 1245): The county town of Sligo, known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural surroundings.
• Ballymote (c. 1300): Home to the impressive Ballymote Castle, this town boasts a medieval past and a strong connection to Irish folklore.
• Tubbercurry (c. 1760): Nestled in the Ox Mountains, Tubbercurry is renowned for its traditional music and warm community spirit.
• Enniscrone (c. 1612): A picturesque coastal village famed for its sandy beaches, scenic golf courses, and rejuvenating seaweed baths.

• Rosses Point (c. 1828): A charming seaside resort offering breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the iconic Benbulben mountain.

• Collooney (c. 1609): Located on the Owenmore River, Collooney is home to the historic Markree Castle and is a gateway to the stunning Sligo countryside.

• Riverstown (c. 1670): A quaint village nestled along the banks of the Unshin River, known for its traditional thatched cottages and rich archaeological heritage.
• Coolaney (c. 1609): Surrounded by lush forests and rolling hills, Coolaney is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and lovers of scenic landscapes.
• Drumcliffe (c. 6th century): Famous for its ancient monastic site and as the final resting place of renowned Irish poet W.B. Yeats.

• Dromore West (c. 1760): A picturesque village with a strong agricultural heritage, offering a tranquil escape in the heart of Sligo.

• Grange (c. 1609): Known for its stunning coastline, Grange is a popular destination for surfing, fishing, and exploring the rugged beauty of Sligo.

• Easkey (c. 1609): A charming coastal village renowned for its world-class surfing waves and the historic Easkey Castle.
• Gurteen (c. 1609): Surrounded by scenic countryside, Gurteen is a welcoming community with a strong tradition of traditional Irish music.
• Mullaghmore (c. 1609): A picturesque seaside village offering breathtaking views of Classiebawn Castle and the dramatic Donegal Bay.

• Castlebaldwin (c. 1609): Home to the ruins of Ballindoon Abbey, Castlebaldwin is a tranquil village nestled in the heart of Sligo's countryside.

• Bunninadden (c. 1609): A small village with a rich history, Bunninadden is known for its traditional music and warm community spirit.

• Cloonacool (c. 1609): Surrounded by rolling hills and scenic landscapes, Cloonacool offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of Sligo.
• Aclare (c. 1609): A picturesque village nestled in the Ox Mountains, Aclare is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and warm hospitality.
• Monasteraden (c. 1609): Home to the historic Moygara Castle, Monasteraden is a charming village steeped in history and folklore.

• Culfadda (c. 1609): A tranquil village surrounded by lush greenery, Culfadda offers a serene escape in the heart of Sligo.

• Dromard (c. 1609): Nestled in the scenic countryside, Dromard is a peaceful village known for its traditional Irish music and warm community spirit.

• Riverstown (c. 1670): A quaint village nestled along the banks of the Unshin River, known for its traditional thatched cottages and rich archaeological heritage.
• Coolaney (c. 1609): Surrounded by lush forests and rolling hills, Coolaney is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and lovers of scenic landscapes.
• Drumcliffe (c. 6th century): Famous for its ancient monastic site and as the final resting place of renowned Irish poet W.B. Yeats.
• Dromore West (c. 1760): A picturesque village with a strong agricultural heritage, offering a tranquil escape in the heart of Sligo.

Notable Boundaries, Rivers, and Natural Attractions

• Atlantic Ocean: The majestic Atlantic Ocean borders County Sligo to the west, offering breathtaking coastal scenery and opportunities for water-based activities.
• Benbulben: This iconic tabletop mountain, with its distinctive shape and towering presence, is a prominent natural landmark in County Sligo.
• Lough Gill: A picturesque freshwater lake located between County Sligo and County Leitrim, renowned for its scenic beauty and historic associations with W.B. Yeats.
• Owenmore River: Flowing through the heart of Sligo, the Owenmore River adds to the region's natural charm and provides opportunities for fishing and leisurely walks along its banks.

Historical Events in County Sligo (1800-1850)

• 1803: The failed rebellion led by Robert Emmet against British rule had repercussions in County Sligo, as sympathizers and participants were arrested and tried.
• 1847: The Great Famine, also known as the Irish Potato Famine, deeply affected County Sligo, leading to widespread hunger, emigration, and loss of life.

Own a piece of history with the Old Map of Sligo by Samuel Lewis, 1844, and embark on a journey through time to discover the captivating towns, cities, and natural wonders that have shaped County Sligo's rich heritage.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at all sizes: 12x16in (30.5x41cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 24x30in (61x76cm), 32x40in (81.5x102cm) and 40x50in (102x127cm), but it looks even better when printed large.

I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 50in (127cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40.5x51cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

Please note the unframed 24x30in (61x76cm) map has white edges around the map. These edges can help you with framing, or if you don’t need them they are very easy to snip off with scissors. All other maps, including the framed maps, look exactly like the listing images.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my main collection of UK and Ireland maps.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.