Significance

The book holds historic significance as it documents the history of Irish migration to Australia. It also has a strong interpretive capacity within the wider context of the Emerald Museum's collection due to the strong possibility that Emerald received its name from Irish gold miners who lived and worked in the area. Gold was discovered in Emerald in 1858, and it is believed the goldfields were named by the Irish workers for their homeland, fondly called "The Emerald Isle." When the township was founded, the name carried over.

Physical description

Hardcover book with deep grey and maroon leather binding. The front cover shows a gold illustration of a lady dressed in a toga-style cloak and playing the harp, accompanied by a slender dog. In the background of the illustration, we can see a ship with sails on the ocean, as well as a lighthouse. This Atlas and Encyclopedia of Ireland, published in 1904, features two volumes: Part I is Irish Heraldry, Topography and Modern History, and Part II is the History of Ireland.Part I contains the coats of arms of over seven hundred Irish family names printed in their true colours. It also features a comprehensive delineation of the thirty-two counties with a coloured map of each, arranged alphabetically, showing over 11,000 cities, towns, villages and places of public interest. Part II contains a historiographical account of Ireland since the Fenian insurrection, with special articles and history of the Irish exiles in Australia. It includes sketches of notable Irish personalities, as well as a graphic account of the dark famine days of 1847 and the memories of all hallows and maynooth.

Inscriptions & markings

Obverse:
IT IS NEW STRUNG /
AND SHALL BE HEARD /