This year’s Irish Historic Towns Atlas Seminar is convened in association with the Irish Walled Towns Network. It will take place on Wednesday 28 May 2025 in the Royal Irish Academy and proposals for 20-minute papers are invited.
Water is a fundamental aspect of urban foundation and development. This is reflected in the names of many of our towns and cities, from Dublin/Duiblinn (black pool) to Cork/Corcaigh (marshy place) to Belfast/Beal Feirste (mouth or ford of the sandbank).
Riverside and coastal locations provided resources, access and protection for human settlement and continued to influence how towns were shaped over time. Urban populations have enjoyed, exploited and managed their natural water resources in a variety of ways throughout history and that remains part of the fabric of our towns and cities.
Understanding the historical perspective and the role water has played in the evolution of urban landscapes is more important than ever and this is the theme of this year’s Irish Historic Towns Atlas (IHTA) seminar. The published IHTAs (nos 1–31) offer a way of looking at the subject of water in towns in a thematic and comparative way, from the influence of major urban landmarks such as rivers and harbours, to features of water management and infrastructure, to the role water has played in town life through industry, trade, defence and leisure.
Further details
Participants are invited to submit ideas for 20-minute papers by 28 March 2025. A variety of research perspectives are of interest (history, geography, archaeology, built heritage, architecture) from town origins up to the present day. Papers on Irish walled towns are particularly welcome. A comparative approach is encouraged and participants are asked to consult IHTA resources in preparation of their abstract/paper. Accepted participants will be notified by mid-April 2025.
Please submit your proposal on this form.
This seminar will be held in-person in the Royal Irish Academy, 19 Dawson St, Dublin 2 for a full day on Wednesday 28 May 2025. A further seminar may follow next year depending on interest.
Key dates
28 March – Final date for submission of proposals
15 April – Programme published
28 May – Seminar takes place in Royal Irish Academy
Cover image: Plot of Galway, 1625 (The Board of Trinity College Dublin) in Irish Historic Towns Atlas, no. 28 Galway/Gaillimh (Dublin, 2016) by Jacinta Prunty and Paul Walsh.
See original press release on RIA website: Call for Papers – Irish Historic Towns Atlas Seminar 2025: ‘Water, Towns and Topography’ – Royal Irish Academy
