He was elected as Pro-Chancellor of University of Dublin, Trinity College in 2013, and continues to give lectures after his retirement in 2008.
[2] McParland's first post at Trinity College Dublin was as lecturer in the History of Art Department in 1973.
[1][3][4] McParland founded the National Trust Archive (NTA) with Nicholas Robinson in 1976, and at various times held the position of board member and Company Secretary.
[9] McParland's research on "relating to the architecture of Ireland from the late seventeenth to the earl nineteenth century" is a principal source for entries in the Dictionary of Irish Architects.
[17] In recognition of McParland's contributions to scholarship in Irish architecture, he was elected an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, and made an Honorary Member of the Royal Society of Ulster Architects.