Bernadette Boran, known as Berna to all her friends, was born in Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland. Castlecomer is quite unique as it is one of only three mining communities in the Republic. See the works of Seamus Walsh R.I.P. for more information.
Berna was educated by the Presentation Sisters at the convent school in the town. A deep love of the Irish language was fostered and to this day Berna has a great love of the native language and is quite an authority on the intricacies of its grammar. She has a great appreciation of the poet Seán Ó Ríordáin, who loved the music of spoken Irish. Berna also studied Latin and her continued interest in language has prompted her to learn a little Arabic. A language appreciated for its beauty and grandeur.
She trained as a primary teacher at Carysfort College, Blackrock and took Irish as her main academic subject. Having worked at various schools in South Dublin, she finally settled at the Muslim National School in 1992.
Berna speaks fondly of her years working with the Muslim community both as a teacher and as principal of the national school.
She states that working with the varied community was a most enriching time in her life: Learning about Islamic history and seeing matters from another perspective was enlightening, inspiring and humbling.
Her interest in writing has always bubbled under the surface and stems from her passion for reading. She has penned a number of short stories, mainly set in rural Ireland. Reflecting the community in which she grew up. Her other interest is painting. Many of her paintings adorn the homes of patrons and friends. She likes to work with acrylics but enjoys drawing also.
Berna is proud to be held in high esteem by many in the Muslim community. She is the recipient of a certificate of merit from the Islamic Foundation of Ireland, in recognition of her contribution to various endeavours of the Muslim community.
While principal of the Muslim National School, she with others actively engaged with Froebel College, Maynooth organising seminars to encourage young Muslim men and women to train as primary teachers. To date a number of past pupils have taken up the challenge. Our country is growing more diverse, and this richness must be reflected in all our organisations going forward.
Berna has read widely on early Islamic history and praises the work of Doctor Chris Hewer who is to the forefront in attempting to foster mutual respect, understanding and co-operation.
To Berna, study is a lifelong pursuit, and she tries to broaden her mind a little more each day. It was her interest in fostering respect that led her to set her debut novel ‘Shades of Integrity’, in a Muslim setting. We all share similar hopes and dreams, especially for our children, who to quote the Lebanese writer, Khalil Gibran, tells us, belong to the future. All humanity faces similar trials and struggles as we navigate our way through life. It is imperative that we work together and recognise our common interdependence. Berna notes that the present pandemic demonstrates our co-dependence in ways that cannot be denied. Let us try to understand each other and rejoice in our common human virtues. Berna says this must be done firstly by listening.
I could not put the book down and remained intrigued about how things would turn out right the way through. What really impressed me about the subject matter was how sharp your insights were into the Muslim culture and ways of Islam. This not only spoke of your interaction with children and parents over the years in the school but also of a deeper empathy built up with the community as a whole.
Congratulations. I await the next Berna Boran title…
Dr. Chris Hewer
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Berna Boran 