St. Mike’s congratulates Prof. Mark McGowan, an International Co-Leader (Canada), on “Historic Houses and Global Crossroads: Revisioning Two Northern Ireland Historic Houses and Estates,” which has been awarded a major research grant from the Arts and Humanities Research Council of the United Kingdom for 2025-2027.
The project, which brings together scholars, communities, thinkers and econometricians from all over the world, is led by the Treaties Spaces Research Group based at the University of Birmingham (UK).
Prof. McGowan’s work is focused on Lord Dufferin, Governor General of Canada from 1872-1878, and his engagement with Indigenous issues during his tenure—the creation of the Indian Act, and government sponsorship of Indigenous Residential Schools. Dufferin was the Lord of Clandeboye House, near Bangor, County Down, and the Canadian dimensions of the project highlights the imperial/colonial connections of this estate, through its owner.
McGowan’s grant will take him to Clandeboye, the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, and the British Library. The project also highlights the research dimension of St. Mike’s Celtic Studies program, and the international presence of the program.
Learn more in this short video clip featuring Professor Joy Porter, the lead investigator.