The National Library of Ireland (NLI) has announced the acquisition of the Bonnard Law Collection, comprising approximately 10,000 maps and 9,000 printed materials. Many of them are unique to this collection.
An agreement has been reached between NLI and University College Cork (UCC) to house the collection in the UCC Library and make it available to researchers and the public.
UCC Tánaiste Michael Martin said: “This amazing and extensive collection of maps, charts and prints of Ireland is the greatest collection of its kind in the world. It is unrivaled among the holdings of public institutions including the British Library and the Library of Congress. It’s something without.
“We are delighted that we have been able to preserve this priceless asset. This book provides an interesting overview not only of Ireland’s geographical history, but also of the political landscape that has changed over the past 200 years in the interest of the Irish nation and people. Provides insight.”
The collection was compiled by Andrew Bonar Law, Ireland’s leading collector of printed maps and topographical maps. A successful art, print and map dealer, he opened the Neptune Gallery in Dublin in 1965.
His daughter Charlotte Bonner Law was also an expert in map sales and was heavily involved in compiling the collection.
Culture Minister Catherine Martin said the collection was “a testament to Andrew Bonar Law and his family”.
“I am delighted that my department was able to fund this acquisition, which will be available for viewing in physical format after conservation assessment, hopefully from 2025 onwards, and with digital content as early as this year. “It will be available for viewing. I wish the UCC and NLI teams the best of this exciting piece of work,” she said.
Highlights of the Bonner Law Collection include all the important atlases of Ireland, maps of Ireland, broadsides and world atlases, including ballad sheets, many of which are unique to this collection. It’s possible.
NLI Director Dr. Audrey Whitty welcomed the collaboration with UCC because of its unparalleled scholarship and excellence in historical geography.
“Growing and further strengthening our links across Ireland is a top priority for us and we are delighted to have entered into a loan agreement with UCC that will enable us to locate our collection in Cork.
“The excellent condition of the materials in the Bonner Law Collection makes it an important part of the NLI collection of printed maps and topographical editions, and a foundational collection for future digitization projects, programs, and exhibitions. It means that.”
The collection is housed in UCC’s Boer Library and is accessible to researchers as well as the general public by contacting the UCC Library’s Special Collections and Archives team.
It is expected that the digital content of the collection will be available as early as this year, before the physical items go on display from 2025 onwards.