In an article entitled ‘Irish Astrologers’ in the Dublin Quarterly Journal of Medical Science (Vol IV Aug-Dec 1847), Isaac Butler (1689-1755) was described as ‘surgeon, astronomer, almanac maker and botanist’. He was also interested in archaeology. He succeeded John Whalley in his business as almanac maker. Between 1740 and 1750, Dr John Rutty and the Medico-Philosophical and the Physico-Historical Societies employed Butler to research rare plants and gather botanical specimens. Dr Rutty was working on publications of natural history. Butler’s remit was County Dublin and this was then extended out to Meath, Westmeath, Louth, and Longford. He later carried out similar work in Cork, Tipperary, Wexford, and Wicklow. Butler was also selected by the Dean and Chapter to write a history of the Cathedral of St Patrick. His name frequently occurs in the minutes of the Physico-Historical Society, which are preserved among the MSS of the Royal Irish Academy.
Dr John Rutty (1697-1775), a physician and naturalist, was the author of many texts including 'A methodical synopsis of the Mineral Waters of Ireland' (1757) and 'A Natural History of the County of Dublin' (1772).
John Ribton Garstin (1836-1917) who compiled the notes in this collection was an archaeologist and antiquarian expert. He was a member of the Royal Irish Academy, the Royal Dublin Society, the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, and vice-president of the County Louth Archaeological Society.
Archival History ↴
The extracts were made by Mr J Deane, assistant librarian in Armagh Library, where the original MS is preserved, for the County Louth Archaeological Society who published a copy in their Journal of Dec 1922 (Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 93-108). The notes were produced by John Ribton Garstin (1836-1917) . The County Louth Archaeological & Historical Society deposited the collection in Louth County Archives Service in 2001.
Immediate Source Acquisition ↴
Donation
Content & Structure
Scope & Content: Isaac Butler and John Ribton Garstin ↴
Manuscript extracts from Isaac Butler’s Journal, 1744, being the portion relating to County Louth and notes on the journal made by John Ribton Garstin (1836-1917). Also includes two letters from Patrick Traynor, bookseller, Dublin, and J Deane, assistant librarian, Armagh.
Appraisal Destruction ↴
Permanent Retention
Accruals ↴
No accruals are expected.
Arrangement ↴
The collection is arranged chronologically.
Conditions of Access & Use
Access Conditions
Open Access, by appointment
Conditions Governing Reproduction
Items may be subject to copyright
Creation Dates
27 Jun 1891-16 Dec 1921
Extent Medium
15 items
Material Language Script
English
Characteristics Tech Req
Paper. Good condition: there are a few tears
Careful handling required
Finding Aids
Descriptive list can be found on on-line catalogue available at http://www.louthcoco.ie
Archive Web Link →
Allied Materials
Originals Information
Armagh Library
Copies Information
Some digitised documents may occasionally be found on http://www.louthcoco.ie
- ‘Extracts from Isaac Butler’s Journal’ in Journal of the County Louth Archaeological Society, Vol. 5, No. 2 (Dec., 1922), pp. 93-108
- Stokes, GT, ‘Isaac Butler’ in The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Fifth Series, Vol. 2, No. 4 (Dec., 1892), p. 431
- Butler, Isaac, ‘A Journey to Lough Derg’ in The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Fifth Series, Vol. 2, No. 1 (Apr., 1892), pp. 13-24
- Butler, Isaac, ‘A Journey to Lough Derg (continued)’ in The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Fifth Series, Vol. 2, No. 2 (Jul., 1892), pp. 126-136
Descriptive Control Area
Archivist Note
Lorraine McCann
Rules/Conventions
ISAD(G): General International Standard Archival Description. 2nd ed. Ottawa: International Council on Archives, 2000.
