Maps for Ireland

‘If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a map is worth a thousand pictures’

A proper scale map is and should be an essential part of your equipment for walking and other activities.

ActiveME Maps

The maps and GPS tools on the ActiveME website and Apps are good, but they should only be used as a guide, in conjunction with a proper map and compass navigation techniques. We have tried to provide a correct OS Map reference number for all our activities in this site and our App, if you want or need to buy a paper map.

List of Suitable Maps 

  1. Ordnance Survey Ireland’s (OSi) – Discovery Series 50k (1:50,000) (80 maps with 4 available as Waterproof)
  2. Ordnance Survey Northern Irelands (OSNI) now LPS – Discoverer Series 50k (1:50,000)  (20 maps)
  3. OSi – 25k (1:25,000) series
    1. Brandon
    2. MacGillicuddy Reeks
    3. Killarney National Park
    4. The Aran Islands
    5. OSi are now taking suggestions for more 25k maps. email [email protected]
  4. OSNI/LPS – 25k (1:25,000) Activitiy Maps  (13 Maps – all water resistent)
  5. Harvey (1:30,000) Superwalker Series (3 Maps all weather proof)
  6. East West Mapping 1:30,000 + 1:25,000 (5+ maps)
  7. OSi Discover Ireland Outdoor Activities Map Guide (1:800,000) – National Map
  8. Maps are also available as part of published guidebooks here

Map scales
Map scales are used to indicate a measurement along the ground in relation to your printed map. On a map with a scale of 1:25,000, each 25,000 centimetres (250m) on the ground will be equal to one centimetre on the map. Many map scales are still described in inches (i.e. the old 6″ inch maps).  This converts to one mile on the ground being equal to 6 inches on the map. The following list shows typical scales that you may come accross:

1:25,000 = 250m to 1cm = 1 mile to 2.5 inches
1:30,000 = 300m to 1cm
1:50:000 = 500m to 1cm = 1 mile to 1.3 inches
1:63,360 = 1 mile to 1 inch
1:200,000 = 3.2 miles to 1 inch
1:250,000 = 4 miles to 1 inch
1:625,000 = 10 miles to 1 inch
1:1,000,000 = 15.8 miles to 1 inch
1:2,000,000 = 31.6 miles to 1 inch

The maps below show the Map Reference Numbers for all 50k (1:50,000) OS maps