The ‘Old Prints Shop’ at theoldcountry.org is an internet shop dedicated to genuine old antiquarian prints of Ireland. The shop is an adjunct to our main site, which uses these wonderful images to illustrate Ireland’s unique story – your story, your heritage, history and culture. We basically use these prints as a time machine of sorts, to see where the artist sat when he painted the scene and to compare it to what the present day site looks like now – if it even still exists!
Our prints range in age from 100 years old to over 350 years old. Most are in their original state and are uncoloured, but there are some exceptions, especially with the younger prints. We also, from time to time have some old maps of Ireland on offer.
The Artists
You will see names of artists like Francis and Daniel Grose, W.H.Bartlett, George Petrie, Thomas Creswick, Andrew Nicholl and many many others when looking through these old historical prints of Ireland. Their names, their work and their contribution will be explained in detail as we fill out this site and our main site, as time permits. We will use digital photography, video, drones and 360̊ shots, with Google Map coordinates to enhance your understanding and appreciation for the artist and the importance of their work and the period. We will show you the location of the subject of the print, where the artist perched himself when he drew the image and we will show you what it looks like today.
Our Heritage
Some of the sites are sadly gone, but others are thriving and are amazing examples of what can happen when our architectural and cultural heritage is treated with respect and gets the appreciation that it deserves. Afterall we are just the keepers of these amazing pieces of history, we are just passing through, we must preserve them to pass them on to the coming generations; even if it is only to highlight their like plight, just like Messrs. Petrie, Grose, Bartlett etc did in their day.
These prints cover all parts of the island of Ireland and we have tried to make your print or map search and selection as easy as possible by breaking down the search by county. You can also search by name; if you know the title of the print.
The Prints
We have one little caveat, however. As these prints are the genuine article, not cheap modern reprints, they can possibly exhibit evidence of age. They have survived intact over many years through wars, rebellions, fires, floods, famines; transportation over rough seas and bone-shaking treks along turnpike roads, to get to you, so they should be judged as antiques and not in the same manner as a modern printed item. Please have a look at the photo we have supplied with each print, it is usually a good indication of the condition of the print. We have 3 condition levels, ‘Good, Fine and Fair.’ The condition and scarcity of each print
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