Statistical Survey of the County of Cork with Observations on the Means of Improvement; Drawn Up for the Consideration and by Direction of the Dublin Society. Dublin: Graisberry and Campbell, 1810. First Edition. Large frontispiece folded map of County Cork (hand coloured). Pp 749, [104]. Recent black cloth, title label to spine. Map with repaired along folds, contents in fine bright condition.

The Irish Statistical Survey was carried out under the direction of the Royal Dublin Society. Each county was surveyed with the aim of determining the ‘actual state, capabilities and defects of agriculture, manufactures and rural economy’. In practice the surveys contained a vast quantity of local information on almost every aspect of the county surveyed. Because these studies were carried out under central direction the quality of the information provided is good, and given their early date, they remain an invaluable source for the study of each county. They record many details about conditions in pre-Famine Ireland, including social and economic conditions, the growth of population and poverty, education, religion, history, the Irish language and local customs.