Dr. Jonathan Cherry
Jonathan Cherry is a lecturer in Geography at the School of History and Geography, DCU, where he is Deputy Head of School. He is also overall Programme Chair of the BA Joint Honours Programme.
As an historical geographer his research interests lie in the evolution and transformation of the Irish landscape over the past four centuries. His research is focused on the influence of landowning elites on both rural and urban landscapes; the demise of this elite; their landscape legacy and land reform. His research also examines commemorative landscapes as sites of memory, and contested landscapes.
His current research projects include the compilation of the Cavan fascicle of the RIA Irish Historic Towns Atlas series and a digital humanities project entitled 'Mapping the Ulster Covenant, 1912' with Dr Arlene Crampsie, UCD. In 2024 he was awarded New Foundation Research Ireland funding to highlight the significance and promote the recording of minor placenames as intangible cultural heritage, through the compilation of a guidelines for practice and provision of workshops.
He is Honorary Secretary of the Geographical Society of Ireland since May 2024 and in August 2026 he was appointed to the RIA multidisciplinary Geography and Geosciences committee.
Research Interests
- Evolution of the Irish landscape from circa 1600 to the present day.
- Role of landowning elites, both private individuals and institutions in shaping rural landscapes during the period 1600 to circa 1930.
- 'Big Houses' and demesne landscapes of Ireland: people and place.
- Origins, growth and development of Irish towns and villages.
- Break up of landed estates, land reform, the role and landscape impact of the Irish Land Commission and the demise of landlordism in Ireland during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Placenames and placenaming.
- Commemorative landscapes as sites of memory.
- Contested landscapes.
- Maps and mapping.
Teaching Interests
My teaching interests fall within the following broad areas:
- Historical Geography of Ireland- evolution of the Irish landscape
- Key concepts, skills and sources in Historical Geography
- Cultural Geography- reading the cultural landscape
- Fieldwork in Human Geography
- Local studies: geographical perspectives
Funding Highlights
Research Projects
- Minor placenames in Ireland: promoting and facilitating 'citizen humanities' in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage (DCU PI: 13/01/2025-12/10/2025)
- Farnham Estate History (DCU PI: 09/02/2022-30/06/2022)
- Mapping Cavan: from Plantation to Brexit (DCU PI: 19/04/2021-26/11/2021)
CV
External Positions
- Temporary lecturer, Maynooth University01/09/2007 – 31/12/2007
- Research and Teaching Fellow, University College Dublin01/09/2005 – 31/08/2008
- Holder of the Research Studentship in Irish History, National Library of Ireland01/09/2004 – 31/08/2005
Academic Qualifications
- PhD, National University of IrelandField of study: Social sciencesProject: Doctor of Philosophy
- Bachelor's Degree, University College DublinField of study: Humanities and the arts
- Postgraduate Diploma, University College DublinField of study: Social sciencesProject: Graduate Certificate in Third Level Learning and Teaching