Lunchtime Lecture by Paul Walsh. Lunchtime Lecture series organised by the Royal Irish Academy Library and the Irish Historic Towns Atlas 'Mapping city, town and country since 1824: the Ordnance Survey in Ireland.' Walsh explains the context for the Memoirs, an intrinsic element of the 6" mapping project. Larcom had described the connection between the maps and the Memoir as a 'Portrait of the island of Ireland ... accompanied by a biography'. He examines Larcom's utilitarian perspective, the role of the OS engineers and their mathematical skills and the focus on the parish as the unit for surveying and description. The sections of what became known as the Topographical Dept. are described as well as the reporting systems in place. The pressures caused by budgetary overruns etc. and the ensuing political decisions re the Memoir scheme and its demise are discussed. In conclusion, the work of the 19th-century surveyors is connected to the current work of the Ordnance Survey of Ireland. Please see accompanying powerpoint. http://www.slideshare.net/theroyalirishacademy/paul-walsh-george-petries-topographical-department-183542-15102014 Location: Academy House Date: Wednesday 15 October, 2014 Disclaimer: The Royal Irish Academy has prepared this content responsibly and carefully, but disclaims all warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy of the information contained in any of the materials. The views expressed are the authors’ own and not those of the Royal Irish Academy.

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