Grace Rinehart

Grace Rinehart is a PhD Candidate at the UCD School of Archaeology, part of the UCD College of Arts and Humanities. Her research focuses on the contested heritage of Catharism in Occitanie, France. Supervised by Professor Tadhg O'Keeffe, her work examines the intersection of medieval heresy, modern tourism, and regional identity. The study explores how Cathar history is reinterpreted in contemporary contexts, including UNESCO heritage listings, the legacy of the Albigensian Crusade, and the tension between historical accuracy and fictional narratives like those surrounding the Knights Templar and the Holy Grail.

Her research critically assesses the processes defining what constitutes ‘heritage’ in Occitanie, analyzing tangible sites (e.g., castles) and intangible cultural legacies. The project contributes to broader debates on heritage politics and the World Heritage Site designation, emphasizing how historical events and modern ideologies shape cultural narratives.