Even a cursory perusal of the text and outline maps of this book confirms that Drogheda has grown enormously since the first edition of this useful glossary appeared in 1996. Evidently James Garry felt there was a need for a second edition and it takes the form of the original first edition with 20 extra pages and some useful maps. The large format pages can accommodate lots of illustrations and boxed snippets of local history. It is good to see that, generally, Drogheda's new environs do not suffer from the Tuscany Downs syndrome that afflicts so many new urban developments in other towns in Ireland but a few ludicrous placenames and street-names have been bestowed on historically significant places - The Moorings, Pinewood, Rose Court and Rockville, for instance. These are not as bad, however, as the ridiculous names put on the avenues and streets of the new Wheaton Hall estate. Check these out for imagination and local associations - Acorn Way, Ashdale, Autumn Place, Avondale, Barley Cove, Copper Close, Forest View, Fox Hill, Harvest Way, Leafy Haven, Oaten Vale, Shady Grove, and Spring View, Sun Hill, Weaver's Way and Woodgrove.
The Courthouses of Ireland compiled by Mildred Dunne and Brian Phillips. The Heritage Council; no price given.
Far from being grim, intimidating, ancient buildings, most Irish courthouses are now bright, attractive (insofar as courthouses can be attractive) places, no longer redolent of heavyhanded justice. This gazetteer of the courthouses of the Republic is concerned more with the architectural heritage of the buildings than with their history and carries full-colour photographs of the exteriors and some internal features. An informative essay by Niall McCullough on Courthouses - the Mirror of Society recounts some history, but this essentially is an architects' book.