It is said that the best way to know yourself is to know where you're from. There is no better—or more visually pleasing—way to get to know your Irish roots than an antique map of your family's native county, lovingly crafted by Irish Routes. These meticulous reproductions of County Maps of Ireland, reprinted from a series pubished in 1881, are handmade by modern master Joe Kelly. Each is a "dissected map," in which the printed map is cut into equal panels and then laid onto a sturdy cloth backing. The small gaps between the panels enable the map to fold and unfold neatly and flat, and no detail is lost along the fold line. The folded map slides easily into its custom-designed decorative marbled paper slipcase. Where you're from: it's who you are.

Did You Know? The "dissected map" construction technique is typical of the "traveling maps" produced in the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries. The slipcase afforded protection to the map so that it could be placed in a coat pocket, suitcase, or saddlebag, and the cloth backing made the map very durable.

 

About the Artist. Joe Kelly, the master artist behind Irish Routes, creates handmade reproduction antique maps from his studio in Piltown, Drogheda, Co. Meath, Ireland. A native of Co. Louth, Joe began making his reproduction antique maps approximately two years ago but has been collecting antique maps for many years. So, as is often the case, a hobby has evolved into a unique "cottage industry."