Harman Murtagh assesses Thomas Phillips’ 17th-century illustrated survey of Ireland’s coastal defences
Manuscript 3137 in the collection of the National Library of Ireland comprises thirty-two plans and ‘prospects’ of Irish towns and forts, executed in 1684-5, almost all bearing the signature Tho: Phillips’. The collection NLI Manuscript 2557, comprising thirty-seven drawings, is the Duke of Ormond’s copy of MS 3137, with some additional items. Both manuscripts have undergone conservation in recent times
