About me

My research is primarily focused on early medieval Irish monasticism, legal and hagiographical texts, and later manifestations of monasticism and the cult of saints in Ireland and Scotland. I am originally from New England, and I have lived in Aberystwyth, Cork, Toronto, and Derry over the course of my professional academic career. I also am a classical musician by training, but have been building a repertoire of traditional fiddle music from Donegal and the Northwest of Ireland

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My PhD thesis is an examination, edition, and analysis of three lives of Irish saints associated with Donegal, Roscommon, Fermanagh, and Sligo and their connection(s) with Colum Cille.

As my research has developed, so have my interests in the political atmosphere of 6-9th century Ireland, Irish Christianity in relation to the continent, holy wells and modern veneration of Irish saints, medieval insular perceptions of the sea, masculinity and femininity in early Irish and Welsh literature, early modern Irish translation, and modern Celtic language advocacy.