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School of History and Geography

Dr
Jonathan
Cherry

Primary Department
School of History and Geography
Role
Deputy Head of School, Chair BA Joint Honours Programme & Assistant Professor in Geography
Work Area/Key Responsibilities
History & Geography
Dr Jonathan Cherry
Phone number:
01 700
9113
Campus
St Patrick's Campus
Room Number
SPD D316

Academic biography

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.   




Research interests

Jonathan Cherry's main research interests are in historical geography. He is particularly interested in the 
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. 


He is interested in discussing opportunities for postgraduate research and post-doctoral studies with those interested in these topics or in any other aspect of historical geography. 

Go to Jonathan Cherry's full profile