In my official role, I’m a legally appointed wedding solemniser and a celebrant at namings, Age of Reason ceremonies, and funerals. But my true role as a humanist celebrant is to tell the story of a couple’s or a person’s journey, and to celebrate that journey with a special and unique ceremony. Every ceremony I write and lead as a humanist celebrant is unique because at its heart it contains the story of a journey—your journey.
These days I’m a full-time humanist solemniser, my background, however, is in theatre. Working as an actor, director and playwright, I acquired a set of specialised skills that are essential to my role as a humanist celebrant. I know how to craft words that give shape to a story and encapsulate the story’s meaningful essence. And I know how to manage and lead a successful production. All this is to say that on your big day, you can relax and enjoy the experience. You can focus on yourself and the people you love, because you’ll be in good hands.
I’ve worked as Outreach Director of Graffiti Educational Theatre Company and director of their youth theatres. This involved working with young people using drama and theatre to engage them in education and to help them to become creative writers, actors and directors. I was director of the European Children’s Theatre Encounter in 2005 when Cork was Capital of Culture. I have also served on the Board of National Association for Youth Drama. My work as a director and drama facilitator has taken me all over Europe and the United States.
Beyond my work, I am a mother and a grandmother. I spend my time reading, both fiction and non-fiction, attending the theatre, cooking and travelling.
Geraldine ONeill, A.L.C.M., Dip. Dr (UCD) Masters in Modern Drama Studies (UCD)
