About
Dr Richard Butler is the Director of Research at Mary Immaculate College (MIC), Limerick, Ireland. He holds an Associate Professor rank, previously serving at the University of Leicester as Associate Professor of Urban History. His expertise lies in modern Irish history (1800–1960), urban history, and architectural history. He has lived and researched globally, including stints in India, the U.S., and the U.K. His work bridges architectural studies with socio-political contexts, focusing on public buildings, colonialism, and urban development.
Education:
- BA, MPhil, PhD (History of Architecture) from St John's College, Cambridge
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
- Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (FRHistS)
Research Interests: Architecture of state institutions in Ireland, urban planning, Catholic church buildings, and transatlantic infrastructure. Current projects include studies on Cork's post-war Catholic churches and Galway's urban regeneration. His work often addresses contested heritage and colonial legacies.
Grants & Projects:
- Queer Northern Ireland: Sexuality Before Liberation (2022–2025)
- Church, state, and the building of Ireland's south coast cities (2020–2022)
- Greyfriars Townscape Heritage Initiative (2017–2019)
Labs/Teams: He leads MIC's Research & Graduate School, fostering interdisciplinary projects in history, urban studies, and heritage conservation.
