On June 6th 2020, I had the honour of being installed as the Chosen Chief of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, following in the footsteps of my predecessor, Philip Carr-Gomm, and the Order's founder, Ross Nichols.
Due to the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic lockdown, the ceremony could not take place as we had planned, in a Glastonbury meadow. Instead, we did our work on the inner planes, and shared it with members of the Order in the broadcast below.
'Síocháin, suaimhneas, solas agus grá: Peace, tranquility, light and love.'
New chant: Welcome to my life, welcome to my heart.
Welcome to my website.
My name is Eimear Burke. My home is Three Castles, near Kilkenny in Ireland. It is in a rural area and includes a ruined tower, which these days functions as a temple and ritual space.
I am a member of The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, as was my late husband, Howard Campbell. Together we founded the Kilkenny Druid Grove, and connected with others to build a community which meets at Three Castles eight times a year, to celebrate the major Druidic festivals.
I work as a psychologist, and my interests in Druidry and psychology have led me to act as a Celebrant, helping people to design and enact meaningful rites of passage. I am licensed to perform legal weddings in the Republic of Ireland, and can also offer non legal ceremonies.
I have a deep love of the ancient Irish tales. I therefore have a passion for storytelling. I bring the old tales to new audiences, and - while remaining faithful to the stories - often examine them from new perspectives, so that listeners experience them as fresh and relevant. I particularly enjoy showing people the sacred sites of Ireland, and telling the ancient tales right where they happened.
My website will always be a work in progress, and will include regular updates about Druidry, about the Irish stories, the Irish language and the activities of the Kilkenny Grove. It also contains a memorial to my late husband, Howard, who passed in April 2015, leaving wonderful memories and a beautiful legacy in the form of his poetry.
Please feel free to explore this website, and to visit often as it grows. I would value your opinion and suggestions for new content. There is a Contact Us page, which you can find in the navigation menu at the top of the screen. The Kilkenny grove also has a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AnCraobhAirgid/
I would be glad to hear your comments.