Geraldine Moorkens Byrne

I use Bio Link for all my online and social media profiles. You can follow me at Goodreads, Amazon and more places:
Http://bio.link/germoorkensbyrne

I am a poet, writer and educator, based in Dublin Ireland. 

My Murder Mystery series featuring Caroline Jordan and the world of Irish Politics, Socialites and Artists is available on Amazon, Kindle, and all good book shops. Published by PPP Publishing, Book one (The Body Politic) and Book two (The Body Count) will be followed by the third book in the series, The Body Beautiful.
I am also the author of The Music Shop Mysteries (On the Fiddle! and Face the Music! etc) as Geraldine Moorkens Byrne as well as The Old Bat Chronicles, Irish Cozy Mysteries with a dollop of Irish folk magic, written under the pen name Nina Hayes. All are available on Amazon, Kindle Unlimited, Irish libraries and bookstores, as well as Barnes and Noble etc SIgned copies available here on site*.
My collection of poetry, Dreams of Reality was a bestselling book on Amazon in ebook form. It is now available in a revised edition, with new work, in both ebook and paperback - Amazon, Kindle, Barnes and Noble, bookshops and libraries or signed copies directly from me on this site.**

* ** Please note shipping to Canada, USA and Australia from Ireland tends to be very expensive.


I live in Dublin, with my husband and two children and when not writing about murder I am usually reading about it. 

I also teach: I specialise in Draíocht Ceoil, Rosc and Irish poetic forms, traditional Irish divination and Keening/Life Rites on the  Irish Pagan School: The IPS promotes Indigenous Irish education on folkmagic, folk lore, Old Irish and Modern Irish practices and Irish Spirituality. It offers a huge range of free material, affordable packages, scholarships and quality live and recorded classes.
I have experience in leading Creative Writing classes, speaking at book launches, poetry readings, poetry open mic nights and book clubs , both online and in person. 

My other passions 

More peaceful pursuits include Knitting, Crocheting, Card and Jewellery Making, and I have an Etsy shop for crafty goods. 
A graduate of both UCD and The College of Commerce, I worked in Advertising and Publishing followed by almost 30 years in retail.  I am a poet (see below for listed work) as well as a teacher (IPS, Creative Writing Courses, TEFL.) Apart from a large body of poetry, and now crime fiction novels, I also write and perform Ceremonies for weddings, funerals, rites of passage, house cleansing, divorce and more.

Other Work
My work has been published in a wide range of anthologies, media, ezines and performance pieces. My collection of poetry Dreams of Reality is currently available on Kindle and in Paperback. My poems have been adapted for several theatre performances, and my original naming ceremony was used to raise funds for children's charities in both Ireland and the UK. I have prose pieces on spirituality in several publications e.g. Harp Club and Cauldron: A Harvest of Knowledge. My short story A Stranger Among Friends was a winner for the Cunningham Short Story and published in the 2020 winner's anthology. I have poetry included in Poems from the Lockdown, a global collection of poets on the coronavirus era, and a wide range of anthologies, ezines, print and other media. My mystery novels are available through all normal channels including Libraries (always free to read in libraries!) 

FULL BIO 
Geraldine is a writer and poet from Dublin, Ireland. She studied in UCD, worked in Advertising and Publishing and finally returned to her family roots to run a famous music shop in Dublin. She retired in 2021 after almost 30 years, and now writes full time.
Her poetry draws on a variety of inspirational sources - Old Irish mythology, Irish literary forms, modern politics mixed with the ancient tradition of Satire.

Her work has been published in Anthologies (inc Where The Hazel Falls /Electric Publications; Jane Raeburn Collection; Small Things; Pagan Paeans; Brigid's Runes) and Magazines (inc Asian Geographic -frontispiece, Tribes Edition; American Dowser)as well as Ezines (inc Prairie Poetry; Poetry Life and Times.) Other includes Gods and Radicals Anthology "A beautiful Resistance"; The 1916 Rising Commemorative Magazine "Sixteen" (several issues, featured poet.) She has several poems in the Poetry From the Lockdown, Willowbrook Press, and her short story "A Stranger Among Friends" was a prizewinner in the Cunningham Short Story Comp and is included in the winners anthology 2020.

Geraldine was a founding editor of the PPP poetry ezine/workshop which is now a small poetry collective dedicated to helping new authors. She was also editor of Pagan Paeans (with Simone L Hogan). In 2011 she was a prize winner, Listowel Writers Week John Creedon Inaugral Poetry Competition. Her work has been performed by theatre groups in the USA and UK - notably "Death of the Hero" and "Bealtine". Her mystery and cozy novels are popular, and offer authentic Irish stories with a warm and charming setting. 

CEREMONIES

Geraldine has taught online classes in Poetry and folk magic traditions notably through the Irish Pagan School and has been a teacher and leader in Irish spirituality for many years, and have written and performed ceremonies for Births, Deaths, Weddings, Cleansing and most recently, Renaming/Separation ceremonies.
She is happy to work for anyone who requires it regardless of any considerations of sexual orientation, gender, or spirituality. Her focus is on creating truly bespoke ceremonies, inspired by the needs and aspirations of my clients. She wants them to not only reflect the occasion but enable the person to express their unique sense of self.

October Update
The paperback edition of Dreams of Reality has finally launched, and the revised edition has been ​successful beyond my wildest hopes, ranking at number 3 and 4 respectively in its categories on Amazon as well as finding a welcome in bookshops and libraries across the world. It has been a labour of love, and a difficult task, to pick ​poems that not only represent a ​long career in writing but that speak to a personal journey through life, through evolving opinions and a growing commitment to activism and social justice. Included in the new edition is The Alzheimer's series first published as Bedside Manners in a series of poems across two months, highlighting the plight of family carers. 
To have it out finally is both a relief and a joy!
https://mybook.to/DreamsofReality
​Signed copies HERE 


Autumn 2024


Such a busy year!
First up Book 3 in The Old Bat Chronicles from PPP Publishing, Ireland.
The Wisteria Wedding is a fun, magical romp through a murder mystery, with Eve and the Old Bat joining forces to save Margaret and Ronan's wedding. With the Merrion Literary Festival in full swing, and famous author Humphrey Sterling in town, all seems set for a lovely few weeks. But a dark force of malice is at work, and when murder strikes, Eve must solve the crime. But even with the help of the Old Bats, can she do it in time to save The Wisteria Wedding?
Buy signed copies in the Buy Books Section or grab the ebook and paperback online https://mybook.to/dOAAra

Next up - September sees the Paperback and updated Ebook version of my poetry collection, Dreams of Reality. With new poems, and the complete Alzheimer's Poems. this is a heartfelt body of work covering 40 years of poetry. New foreword by author Casey June Wolf (Mael Brigde) exploring the legacy of this prizewinning Irish poet.
Publication Date -Sept 30th worldwide. Ebook available through Amazon/KU

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May 2023
COVER REVEAL for a new series!
Cover Reveal!
Mrs. O’Brien made her debut in The Little Shop of Murders Anthology.

Now enjoy a full length mystery novel featuring Dublin’s oldest family owned music shop, a host of memorable characters and of course, Teresa O’Brien - she may be in her seventies but she’s sharp-witted and kindly, with a will of iron. 
REVEAL HERE!


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MAY 2023
Lovely interview with Charade Media/Charade Books
https://www.charadebooks.com/post/let-us-introduce-you-to-geraldine-moorkens-byrne


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APRIL 2023 Delighted to have a story in Little Shop of Murders, international charity anthology benefitting children in Ireland, Uk and USA
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Shop-Murders-Millie-Ravensworth-ebook/dp/B0BVG2LM9H
https://www.amazon.com/Little-Shop-Murders-Millie-Ravensworth-ebook/dp/B0BVG2LM9H


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Sunday 29th January I will be teaching a class for the IPS: A Matter of Life and Death: Modern Ceremony from Authentic Traditions
This class will focus on Funerary Rites, the importance of old traditions in grief and transition, how the lessons learned can be used to create authentic rites of passage for all life's transitions, viewing all of our milestones including death as a transition. There will also be sections on other modern forms of transition from Divorce, to moving home, to "coming out" (sexual orientation and gender) and of course, weddings and births.
https://irishpaganschool.com/p/life-and-death-rites 

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Interview with ArtZone, Dundalk Fm on December 10th - talking the Nina Hayes Series The Old Bat CHronicles Bk 1 The Kimberly Killing


Tune in to LIFFEY SOUND FM on Sunday 30th OCT at 11.00 am to hear me talk writing, books and The Caroline Jordan series with the lovely Teresa Quinn on BOOKLINE
LISTEN HERE http://liffeysoundfm.ie/
Preview on  https://www.facebook.com/liffeysoundfm


OCTOBER 16th 9pm Irish Time
Reading the Flames, Irish Traditions of Divination
https://irishpaganschool.com/p/fire-divination

WHAT YOU WILL DISCOVER

• *fire reading, cloud gazing, reading signs from birds and animals
• *divination using found objects
• *the written word, signs and omens, symbols
• *pendulums and unconscious "receiving"
• *telling the future at Samhain / special days

This class includes meditations and techniques to ensure a receptive frame of mind; and important instruction on boundaries during divination and understanding mixed unclear results. Full explanation is provided, making it suitable even for complete beginners in basic techniques.




May 15th 2022 9pm Irish Time
Seat of Power...Urban Paganism in Irish traditions
https://irishpaganschool.com/p/urban-pagan

I'LL be teaching Urban Paganism, including authentic spiritual connection with an urban environment, finding deity, understanding magical energy in communities and more. Join us online from 9pm on Sunday 15th. Class is €30, live. Can be bought as a recorded class also.



JANUARY 2022
New for 22 -
1. The Body Beautiful, book three of the Caroline Jordan Mystery Series will be out later this year: catch up on the previous books HERE

2. Draíocht Ceoil, The Sound of Magic in Irish Tradition, a non fiction work that will explore the practice of Irish traditions using sound and music will be out later this year, and will have additional online recordings and help to supplement the book. Pre-orders will open in Autumn.
3.There are exciting plans afoot to host a podcast, featuring both Irish Crime Fiction and additionally the Poetry Series on Alzheimer and the family carer, in two separate blocks. This will require a commitment of time and effort on my part but I'm really excited by this new opportunity and hope to have it up and running in late Spring.

TEACHING
 I will be teaching two classes in 2022 on the  Irish Pagan School (May and October) and you access my previous classes there too. The IPS promotes Indigenous Irish education on folkmagic, folk lore, Old Irish and Modern Irish practices and Irish Spirituality. It offers a huge range of free material, affordable packages, scholarships and quality live and recorded classes.

As ever, always delighted to hear from you at Author@celebratingwords.com - If you would like to participate in the PODCAST either as a Family Carer or a Crime Fiction Writer or reviewer, please do contact me.




It's Publication Day !!
The Body Count, A Caroline Jordan Mystery Book 2 is here



New Friends. New Clients. New Enemies.
Old Secrets...



It's 2012 and the banking scandals have hit Ireland hard; the Bank of Leinster finds its image in need of emergency help. Which means Jordan PR is about to pitch for their biggest contract yet - the only problem is the fresh corpse in the Bank's meeting room!
This time Caroline is determined not to get involved. Political reforms loom, there's a wedding to plan and an iconic Art exhibition to arrange. But in Ireland, old secrets bind strange fellows and as Caroline realizes the web of lies runs from the boardroom to the art world, DS Doyle calls in a favour.
Can Caroline resist investigating the rising Body Count?



Fun, fast-paced, modern murder mystery set in Dublin, Ireland among politicians, socialites, bankers, Anglo-Irish aristocrats and eccentric artists.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09L8CWHWK
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09L8CWHWK
ALL LINKS bio.link/germoorkensbyrne
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OCTOBER 2021
New free Caroline Jordan Short Story, The Ghost of Belgrange, available to newsletter subscribers (plus free access to previous giveaways)
Sign up to get in on the action!




MAEL BRIDGE: A BRIDGET OF IRELAND DEVOTIONAL - FREE ONLINE BOOK LAUNCH
Join me on Saturday 28th at the Mael Bridge Book launch, to celebrate her new Bridget of Ireland Devotional, A poetic devotional to our most beloved Goddess (later Saint) of Ireland.
This will be a communal celebration, and I am delighted to say I will be reading a poem. It begins at 9pm Irish time Sat 28th(1 pm Pacific Time USA) and runs for about an hour. Registration is free through ticket tailor, event is on Zoom. Please do join us for this joyful and uplifting event!
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/sunamongstars/556582



AUGUST 2021
This month for me, is all about giving back. Inspired by the story of Lugh and his foster mother Tailtiu, it's a time to give to my community. At the moment an important community for me is that of the Family Carer, especially those caring for people with ALzheimer's and Dementia. As I deal with the every day pain and burden of being a family carer, I have found so much support and understanding not from official websites or advocacy groups but from facebook groups and similar, where ordinary carers meet online to discuss our days.
I have launched a series of poems Beside Manners: Alzheimer's and the Family Carer. Poems go up on Twitter, and then are cross posted with full commentary to Instagram. You can follow me on either site @gercelt - and if you have personal lived experiences to share in any written or viisual form, you are more than welcome to contribute. Email me Author@celebratingwords.com or DM on Twitter/Insta (do put Poetry Series in your post, or it will get overlooked)
ALL LINKS ARE HERE:
https://bio.link/germoorkensbyrne


Poems 1-5 are up and poems 6-10 follow in the next 5 days (August 11th onwards)
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Commemoration Ceremony - FREE
I am currently writing a template for a commemoration service, for use free of charge for anyone who lost someone during C19 and were unable to celebrate their funeral adequately. Once it's available, if you need help personalizing it I am happy to help. I hope to offer it from August 25th onwards.

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Check out my new course on Irish Pagan School
Draíocht Ceoil
Sound and Magic in an Irish Tradition, with a Native Irish File

Recorded live -
Online Class which explores the Irish magical tradition of Sound and Music , with a native File (Poet).
Draíocht Ceoil is an Irish folk magic tradition with its roots in our Druidic/ Filí heritage. It focuses on the use of sound including words to create magical effect; also to understand the sounds found in the natural world and use them to attune spirit to place. Sound can be used to change the energy of a place, manipulate crowd energy, or focus spell work. Music and word was inextricably linked in Irish traditions, and Draíocht Ceoil has many facets and equally, many uses.



WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU ENROLL THIS COURSE?
Part 1 will cover:

• Introduction to Draíocht Ceoil
• Druidic and Old Irish roots
• Folk magic tradition

Part 2 and Part 3 will include practical examples, lots of noise, and fun!Covering the magical properties of sound, such as:

• Man made sound high/medium/low notes
• And sound in nature "whisper, song, roar"
• Awareness of Sound, affect of sound on individual/groups/places.

Combining sound and word to produce magical change and transformation:

• Using music with existing magical practices
• Using music to help spirituality
• Using sound in nature to connect to land.

Taking this course through the IPS supports native Irish educators and prioritizes Indigenous Irish practices

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BOOK LAUNCH 
Missed the launch? check it out here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BsrRXbckoA


PAPERBACK OUT NOW!!
The Body Politic is available now in paperback on Amazon
ISBN 

• ISBN-13 : 979-8639992001

ASIN

• ASIN : B08WTZR96T

Only €9.95 / £8.75 / $10.75



PREORDER NOW - The kindle edition of The Body Politic is available online for the introductory price of €3.30 to reward early bird buyers and supporters! Also preorder customers are invited to the March Virtual Book Launch!
PRE ORDER FOR KINDLE

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PRESS RELEASEPPP PUBLISHING PRESS RELEASE FEB 17TH







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COMING SOON!!

Delighted to announce that my first detective novel The Body Politic will be released FEB 2021
MORE DETAILS AS AVAILABLE
Publisher PPPPUBLISHING IRELAND
Title: The Body Politic, A Caroline Jordan Mystery
Humourous, lighthearted, cosy mystery, fun read, set in the world of Ireland's Public Relations / Political/ Socialite scene (with added Gangsters)

Full details, February 21st


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My new class on The Rosc, Poetic Magic from our Druidic Past is available for download from the Irish Pagan School



Online Class which gives an introduction to the Old Irish form of Poetry called Rosc (a short poem, ode or chant), which is integral to Ireland's native Magic and Spiritual Practices - from a native Irish File (Poet), who will bring you on a journey through this Poetic Magic from our Druidic past.

We examine questions and cover topics such as:

• -- An intro to Draiocht Ceoil (the magic of words and sound)
• -- An examination of what a Rosc is, in poetic terms
• -- The type of magic it was used for
• -- Examples of the Rosc from Old Irish literature
• -- Its use in Draiocht Ceoil and folk magic
• -- The construction of a Rosc

This class includes some practical prompts, discussion, Q&A from the live session, and instructional 'homework' for you to construct your own Rosc poetry!

This teaching is suitable for beginners, as well as those with more experience in this area, or in other traditions. You do not have to be dedicated to or working with any Irish Gods, Guides, or Guardians to take this class.


Your Course access enrollment below includes recorded access to:

• -- Class Presentation Slides
• -- Class Video
• -- Class Audio
• -- Class Chat Log/Resources
• -- BONUS Resources

You will get the unique perspective of a native Irish File who has studied Rosc Poetry directly, and is a published modern Irish poet and musician too. You can find more of Geraldine's work at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3016469.Geraldine_Moorkens_Byrne