EastWest Mapping

31/08/2026

Dublin Mountains Map Update
https://eastwestmapping.ie/dublin-mountains-map-update/
I’m working through a batch of map updates this past while, some minor and some larger. This update here concerns our popular Dublin Mountains 1:25,000 scale map and is for new road alignments to the Enniskerry Road from Stepaside towards Kilternan.

I learn of updates through three main sources a) a note or email from a map user b) keeping an eye on social media and c) accidentally whilst just checking adjacent detail.

So in relation to the first, if you do come across some new feature or error on our maps, please let us know! A screenshot of the area and a rough description is all that is needed or even just a note. You can message us via social media or by email as printed on the back of all our maps.

I can guarantee you that it will not be wasted, I will check each and every report. Maybe not immediately, unless urgent but we do get around to them. Thanks

Dublin Mountains Map Update I’m working through a batch of map updates this past while, some minor and some larger. This update here concerns our popular Dublin Mountains 1:25,000 scale map and is for new road alignments to the Enniskerry Road from Stepaside towards Kilternan. I learn of updates t...

27/08/2026

Lashing rain here in Leinster this morning and sure the ground needs it. But on the subject of maps, map user Kevin reported recently on our Polyart maps as follows "I believe this is printed on plastic type paper to avoid the need to encapsulate. I was dubious when I heard this but I am a believer now! When I got back from our Cooley's hike last Sunday I put my hiking trousers in the wash complete with the map in the pocket... 2.5 hours later 40 deg wash with detergent map was unfolded and it dried perfectly"!!

We've all left stuff in pockets and picked out a soggy mess of paper but nice to hear that the Polyart print maps survived a full wash, never mind a drop of rain.

24/08/2026

Islands
https://eastwestmapping.ie/islands/
Which lake in Ireland has the most islands? A good pub quiz question and Google informs us that it’s Loch Corrib with anywhere from 365 to 1000 islands/ islets. But I reckon the adjacent Loch Mask would be in the running as well – just look at this one section where you’d easily count 50+ islands and islets. Both are similar geologically with porous limestones along their eastern sides whilst the western flanks have much older impervious rocks. Whatever, I can tell you it’s fairly tedious plotting all these wee islands and outcrops!

Islands Which lake in Ireland has the most islands? A good pub quiz question and Google informs us that it’s Loch Corrib with anywhere from 365 to 1000 islands/ islets. But I reckon the adjacent Loch Mask would be in the running as well – just look at this one section where you’d easily count ...

17/08/2026

Phone Networks

https://eastwestmapping.ie/phone-networks/

Most people carry a phone on the hills or out at sea these days, whether for emergency purposes, to send photos to friends or as a navigation aid. There are three main mobile phone networks in Ireland: Eir, Vodaphone & Three, each with a setup of masts and so on. You could be with one of these providers or using a service that leases coverage from one of them. For example A Post Mobile runs on the Vodaphone network.

So the question I’m wondering is – which of the above three networks is most reliable in terms of coverage when you are well away from urban areas? All have places where coverage is poor or non existent but which do you think gives best service? And/ or is there one to avoid for Irish outdoors people?
It goes without saying on this page that my advice is always to carry a physical paper map and a means to determine direction as in a compass and know how to read & use them. But a phone with an app like Hiiker carrying our mapping is always handy for a quick check on your position, an update on your progress, confirmation that you’re following the correct ridge or spur when the mist rolls in. A waterproof pouch and battery pack for recharging are de rigueur.

Due to poorer mobile reception in remoter areas, it always a good idea to save an ‘offline’ area of the map before you head out. You can then put a phone into ‘airplane mode’ and save battery usage. Another strategy is to pan around the area you heading to and zoom in and out before you leave and where you have good reception, this caches the data to your phones memory and thus loads quickly when out.

But back to the three networks, all they all much of a muchness in your experience? Or is one better than others?

Phone Networks Most people carry a phone on the hills or out at sea these days, whether for emergency purposes, to send photos to friends or as a navigation aid. There are three main mobile phone networks in Ireland: Eir, Vodaphone & Three, each with a setup of masts and so on. You could be […]

10/08/2026

AI & History
https://eastwestmapping.ie/ai-history/

Maps such as we make are original pieces of work, they start with a blank page and are slowly built up as described in my book MapMan. It’s a representation of what I perceive to be true at the time of compilation. But such a map also leans on the past, as many features have their origins over decades and centuries past. So I consult a variety of older maps, texts and images during the work. Now paper never refused ink as they say and one has to be cautious to review texts in particular but generally old B/W photographs are reliable. Though you have to be suspicious of ‘improved’ versions of these where they have been colourised and edited.

What bothers me more in the last year or so is the proliferation of historical information, often accompanied by striking images and which is largely generated by software. Typically there’s a germ of fact at the root of such articles e.g. saving the hay or flooding a valley. So far, so good but the texts generated and culled from the internet are often grossly simplified or distorted. The accompanying images are typically artificially generated to represent some aspect of the article and the results range from reasonable to laughable to downright misleading.

The danger here is that these images and texts are flooding social media and could well be around for many years to come. There’s one American site that generates these topics every hour or so! And a search in fifty years time may well still throw them up and people will quote them and use them as accurate illustrations. Essentially the popular historical record is being polluted and distorted by what is happening. I even see state agencies using AI now to generate imagery of a heritage nature. But who will stop it and can it even be ceased?

AI & History Maps such as we make are original pieces of work, they start with a blank page and are slowly built up as described in my book MapMan. It’s a representation of what I perceive to be true at the time of compilation. But such a map also leans on the past, as […]

03/08/2026

Barrow Towpath
https://eastwestmapping.ie/barrow-towpath/
Here are two photos of the Barrow towpath taken in winter in recent years. The towpath dates back to the heyday of the Barrow Navigation when goods were brought to and from New Ross to Dublin and vice versa by horse drawn and later motor barges.

There has been ongoing discussions and a campaign to construct a modern surfaced and serviced Greenway along the Barrow towpath. As a map maker I have to be somewhat agnostic on such matters, I document what’s there. But personally I look at the Barrow towpath in these photos and think it to be the quintessential real greenway, just as it is. It’s a wonderful walk along one of Ireland’s major rivers and some parts feel quite remote. Indeed you can cycle the towpath as well, albeit slowly and carefully. Nature can be experienced at close hand, quietly.

I wonder what is to be gained by constructing a three to four metre wide surfaced track with safety rails in places. What extra is to be gained by facilitating the quicker passage of bikes and people. Of attracting larger numbers and possibly those who will disrespect the environment. There’s a real prospect here of damaging the natural beauty and ambience that such a modern Greenway seeks to exploit. Yes there maybe money to spend on such projects but that doesn’t always mean it should be spent. Sometimes basic maintenance of what already exists is all that is required.

Barrow Towpath Here are two photos of the Barrow towpath taken in winter in recent years. The towpath dates back to the heyday of the Barrow Navigation when goods were brought to and from New Ross to Dublin and vice versa by horse drawn and later motor barges. There has been ongoing discussions and....

27/07/2026

Harvey Tidal Map
https://eastwestmapping.ie/harvey-tidal-map/
This new map product from Harvey Maps of Scotland caught my eye recently. Here is an extract from a recreational tidal map for Anglesey North West – so think of the Holyhead coast of Wales.

Sea charts have been around for centuries and are well used by a whole range of marine craft. This map is more geared towards coastal recreation: kayaking, scuba diving, coasteering etc. Where a knowledge of the tides and currents in conjunction with the land is useful. It shows the different flows/ currents on the filling and ebbing tide, location of overfalls etc.

The Irish Sea is quite complex in terms of tides as it fills from both south & north directions and then ebbs back these ways. These tidal flows meet & mingle variously in the middle. And of course Anglesey is both in this zone and also a popular recreational area. So I don’t see this map being part of an extensive series of tidal maps but it is an interesting type of recreational mapping nonetheless. You can purchase this map from Harvey Maps – just Google.

Harvey Tidal Map This new map product from Harvey Maps of Scotland caught my eye recently. Here is an extract from a recreational tidal map for Anglesey North West – so think of the Holyhead coast of Wales. Sea charts have been around for centuries and are well used by a whole range of marine […...

20/07/2026

Bray Head Cliff Walk

This is a photo taken about 1910 of the Bray Head Cliff Path that runs between Bray & Greystones. The visible tunnel is the Brabazon Tunnel, not in use now as the railway line has been moved up a bit due to erosion. The landscape has become more overgrown with gorse and scrub in the past century. The Brabazon family, aka Earls of Meath, of Kilruddery owned and managed these lands then and would have constructed this very popular and scenic cliff walk. There was a lodge near the Bray end where a small toll was charged I believe.

Sadly this Bray Head Cliff Walk has been closed for some years due to safety concerns over coastal erosion issues. But it is hoped that remedial works will take place and that this fine amenity will be opened once again to allow the public access to this very scenic walk created in Victorian times.

You’ll find Bray Head well mapped on our popular Wicklow East 1:25,000 map, showing the currently closed cliff walk and also the various alternative walking routes over the head.

This is a photo taken about 1910 of the Bray Head Cliff Path that runs between Bray & Greystones. The visible tunnel is the Brabazon Tunnel, not in use now as the railway line has been moved up a bit due to erosion. The landscape has become more overgrown with gorse and scrub in the […]

06/07/2026

Infomar Mapping
https://eastwestmapping.ie/infomar-mapping/
Infomar is the government organisation charged with mapping our offshore territory, mapping the seabed. Recently they have published some nice info and graphics around some of our offshore islands, look up Infomar on Facebook or Goggle their website.

Here is a recent graphic for the seabed around the Blasket Islands, the shallows and the depths. If you want island detail and placenames, of course go to EastWest Mapping. They don’t appear in print for space reasons on our Di**le West 1:25,000 sheet but there is a simplified version on our Di**le Way sheet, printed at 1:40,000. Full detail is available in digital form, currently exclusively on the phone app Hiiker with a subscription.

Infomar is the government organisation charged with mapping our offshore territory, mapping the seabed. Recently they have published some nice info and graphics around some of our offshore islands, look up Infomar on Facebook or Goggle their website. Here is a recent graphic for the seabed around th...

01/07/2026

The Wicklow Placenames Project 2026

The Wicklow Placenames project aims to record the minor placenames of county Wicklow and is looking for you to get involved. Minor placenames are typically not recorded on maps but are known locally and usually passed down through generations via oral tradition. These local names are steeped in local landscape, geology, history, language, folklore and customs and are a rich and unique part of our Wicklow heritage.
This project is an action of the County Wicklow Heritage Plan and is being co-ordinated on behalf of Wicklow County Council by Pat Reid, please contact Pat at [email protected] if you have information to share or would like to know more.

Our Wicklow Heritage Wicklow County Council