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Personal profile

Research Interests

A key focus of my research is the history of landholding in Ireland including the landed estate and its communities. Other areas of interest include the history of family, local history, urban history, environmental history and spatial humanities. I frequently use digital tools and technologies to facilitate and present my research, in particular the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). I enjoy taking an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach, as well as conducting individual research.

Teaching Interests

I have been lecturing in the School of History and Geography at the University of Limerick since 2018. I am currently Course Director of the MA History of Family. I have supervised 32 MA students to the successful submission of their dissertations since 2018.

I hold an MA in Teaching, Learning and Scholarship from the University of Limerick (2026). I was a recipient of the University of Limerick Team Teaching Award 2023 and the AHSS Team Teaching Award 2023 (with colleagues Prof. Ciara Breathnach and Prof. Tiziana Margaria). 

Biography

I am chair of the Irish Historic Towns Atlas Digital Working Group at the Royal Irish Academy. I am a member of the National Library of Ireland's Genealogy and Heraldry committee and on the Curriculum Development and Training committee of the Association of Genealogy Educators and Schools.

A graduate of the University of Oxford, I hold an MA in History of Family from the University of Limerick and a PhD in History and Digital Humanities at University College Cork (UCC). I also hold a Higher Diploma in Geographical Information Systems from UCC.

Following my PhD I worked as a postdoctoral researcher on the interdisciplinary project Deep Maps: West Cork Coastal Cultures led by Prof. Clare Connolly and Prof. Rob McAllen (UCC). From August 2020 to August 2023 I was postdoctoral researcher on Death and Burial Data: Ireland 1864-1922 project led by Prof. Ciara Breathnach (UCC). Both projects were funded by the Irish Research Council.

Prior to returning to academia I spent 20 years working in international business, primarily in strategy and marketing roles including: Head of Marketing at eBay Ireland, Marketing Manager at PayPal UK, and Manager (Strategy) at Accenture.

Related documents

Education/Academic qualification

Masters, Teaching, Learning and Scholarship in Higher Education, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Co. Limerick

Award Date: 1 Aug 2026

PhD, Digital Humanities (History), University College Cork

Award Date: 1 Jan 2017

Higher Diploma, Geographical Information Systems, University College Cork

Award Date: 1 Sept 2013

Certificate, Genealogy, University College Dublin

Award Date: 1 Sept 2008

Masters, History of Family, University of Limerick

Award Date: 1 Jan 2008

Bachelor, BA, University of Oxford

Award Date: 1 Jan 1992

Keywords

  • D901 Europe (General)
  • Irish History
  • CS Genealogy
  • Genealogy
  • HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
  • History of Family
  • HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform

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