Map of the Midlands of Ireland (c. 1565)

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.

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Map of the Midlands of Ireland (c. 1565)

Artifact ID1982.00421.01

Object Type Map

Gifter Charles J. Haughey (1925 - 2006)

Date 1565 (original), 1982

Medium Paper, Ink, Glass, Wood (birdseye maple)

DimensionsOverall: 27 3/4 x 20 1/4 x 7/8 in. (70.5 x 51.4 x 2.2 cm)

Physical DescriptionA map of the Midlands of Ireland, hand drawn and colored, with the areas around it in brown. It is in a green mat and a golden wood frame. There is a cutout in the mat with text stating “MAP OF PART OF THE MIDLANDS OF IRELAND (C. 1565) – NOW IN THE COUNTIES OF LAOIS AND OFFALY – SHOWING THE AREA NEAR THE SLIEVE BLOOM MOUNTAINS OCCUPIED BY THE Y REGAN BRANCH OF THE LAIGIN, OR LEINSTERMEN. BY COURTESY OF THE BOARD OF TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN, 1982.” The back is covered in brown paper and has picture wire.
Historical NoteThis map shows part of the Midlands of Ireland, how it looked around 1565. It depicts County Laois and the area near the Slieve Bloom mountains, home to the Laighin people, or Leinstermen, one of the areas from which the Reagan family name supposedly originated. It was presented during a lunch honoring Prime Minister and Mrs. Haughey in the White House East Room on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1982. Prime Minister Haughey said, "We in Ireland know, Mr. President, that your regard for our country is no mere sentimental attachment to your Irish roots, but that you have a sympathetic and concerned interest in Ireland and in her problems. This is hardly surprising in one whose ancestors played their own part in Ireland's history. The Reagans were, and I quote from their motto, 'The Defenders of the Hills.' And for more than seven centuries, against all comers, they held the only pass through their territory of Y Regan in the Slieve Bloom Mountains. They held it against friend and foe. And the English, at one stage in their long and unsuccessful efforts to conquer our country, paid the O'Reagans a great compliment. Their commanders, methodical men, prepared and sent to London, maps on which were marked the names of the most redoubtable Irish chieftains, those from whom the strongest resistance was to be expected. I have brought with me such a map, dating from the 16th century, and showing the Slieve Bloom Mountains and the unconquered territory of the O'Reagans. I present it to you, Ronald Reagan, defender of the hills, President of the United States of America, and friend of Ireland."
Additional Details

Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from a foreign official to President Ronald Reagan during the Reagan administration. It was received through the Executive Office of the President and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January, 1989 for deposit with the Reagan Presidential Library.

National Archives Catalog CollectionRecords of the White House Gift Unit (Reagan Administration) (National Archives Identifier 6816362) and

National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from Foreign Officials (National Archives Identifier 6816364)

Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted

Use Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.

Country/CultureIrelandPlace MadeIreland

In Collection(s)

Gifts from Foreign Officials