Eimear Burke

Eimear Burke is an Irish psychologist and musician who has served as the Chosen Chief of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids since 2020.^[1]

Burke was raised in rural Ireland in a Christian household, but was agnostic from an early age. In 1988, she graduated from Trinity College, Dublin, with a degree in psychology, after which she worked in healthcare in Lesotho, where she first encountered indigenous healing methods. Burke received a MSc in Counselling Psychology in 1993, before setting up a private psychology practise.^[2] She worked as a guest lecturer at Trinity College for 6 years, in addition to teaching Human Development in both Dublin and Tanzania.^[3] Through her encounters with traditional healers in Africa, Burke was introduced to the common threads between indigenous African traditions and druidry.

Burke became a member of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids in 2003, later joining a grove in Kilkenny, frequently leading ceremonies to mark the Wheel of the Year. Alongside her late husband, Howard, she founded a Druid College based in Kilkenny in 2010. She also works as a celebrant.

She was announced as Chosen Chief in 2018,^[4] taking up the office in 2020. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, her confirmation was postponed to the Order's 2022 Summer Gathering in Glastonbury, where a ceremony took place.^[5] Since taking office, Burke leads weekly fireside chats, which are streamed online and are publicly available.