KIERAN BEVILLE -- PUBLICATION RECORD & BIOGRAPHY
Publication Record & Biography
Kieran Beville
Dr Kieran Beville is an Irish poet, author, journalist[1] and former educator whose career spans literature, philosophical theology, and intercultural engagement. A former teacher of English and History, he was also a tutor at University College Cork in the 1980s and later a professor in the Intercultural Studies Department at Tyndale Theological Seminary, Amsterdam, a constituent college of the Vrije Universiteit (VU), where he taught Postmodernism and Hermeneutics to Master classes (M.Div & M.Th.). His teaching, leadership training work and conference speaking has brought him to Eastern Europe, the Middle East and India, fostering dialogue across cultural and ideological divides. Beville is the author of twenty-five books across genres – from creative writing guides and biographies to poetry and works on faith and culture – published in Ireland, the UK, USA, Canada and India. He is a Fellow of the Society of Oxford Scholars and a former ‘Scholar in Residence’ at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University. He has seven collections of poetry and many of these poems have also appeared in literary journals and anthologies worldwide.[2] A regular newspaper columnist and feature writer Beville’s work often spotlights artists, musicians and writers, reflecting his commitment to cultural heritage and human stories. Formerly a Baptist pastor and author of numerous theological books and articles, he left the evangelical community in 2017 and embraced his voice as a secular poet and writer. Through decades of writing, teaching and travel, Dr Beville has contributed significantly to the enrichment of literary and cultural discourse, offering a unique perspective shaped by a life at the intersection of scholarship, and artistic expression.
Poetry Books
1. Fool’s Gold (Revival Press, 2019
2. Soul Songs (Revival Press, 2020)
3. Voices from the Void (Revival Press, 2021)
4. A Place Apart (Revival Press, 2022
5. Archaeology of the Heart (Revival Press, 2023)
6. Shadowlands (Revival Press, 2025)
7. The Longitude of Love (Yellow House, UK, 2025)
Other Books
1. Write Now: A Practical Guide to Becoming a Writer (Limerick Writers’ Centre, 2019)
2. Pulling Back the Clouds – The Story of Mike Kelly, Collector and Curator of the World’s Largest Die-Cast Model Aircraft Display at Shannon Airport (Limerick Writers’ Centre, 2020)
Pending Books:
1. Bearing Witness – Gaza Beyond the Headlines is a compelling collection of 33 articles that explores Gaza far beyond what daily headlines reveal. Spanning history, politics, media, and deeply personal narratives, these essays trace the roots of Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe—from colonial legacies and the Balfour Declaration of 1917, which paved the way for decades of dispossession, to the Nakba, military occupation, blockade, and cycles of war. They examine American complicity, European silence, evangelical politics and shifting public opinion. They also delve into how media framing shapes what the world sees—and what it ignores. Covering geopolitics, human rights, resistance, and cultural identity, Bearing Witness offers readers a nuanced, unflinching look at Gaza as a living society—one defined not only by tragedy, but also by enduring hope and the fight for justice.
2. Image & Echo – Essays and Ekphrastic Poems In Response to 21 iconic paintings. Image and Echo is a gallery of articles, paintings and ekphrastic verse that enters into conversation with well-known and much-loved works of visual art—from Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring to Van Gogh’s Starry Night, from Botticelli’s Birth of Venus to Picasso’s Weeping Woman. Rooted in the ancient tradition of ekphrasis—writing in response to visual art—this collection explores how language can echo, challenge, and transform what the eye beholds. Each poem engages directly with a specific painting, not to describe it, but to inhabit its world, reimagine its stories, or reflect upon its emotional and psychological dimensions. In doing so, the collection becomes not a catalogue, but a chorus—of voices speaking with, to, and sometimes against the artworks that inspired them. The poems are crafted in two principal forms: sonnets (both Shakespearean and Petrarchan) and blank verse. This deliberate constraint allows for formal variation while offering rhythmic and rhetorical scaffolding for each artistic encounter. Several pieces expand into poetic sequences or prose poems, such as a four-part reflection on Millais’s Ophelia, and an imagined letter from Vincent van Gogh to his brother Theo. To accompany each poem is a brief essay contextualising the featured artwork—offering historical insight, biographical notes, and commentary on the piece’s enduring significance. These prose reflections are designed to enrich the reader’s experience without overshadowing the poetry. Image and Echo will appeal to readers of contemporary poetry, art lovers, educators, and anyone drawn to the intersection of the visual and verbal.
3. The Ruby Teardrop (a novel) is a poignant novel exploring themes of love, loss, grief, and self-discovery. The story centres on Rachel Roycroft, whose life is shattered when her husband, Richard, an Anglican minister, dies by suicide. The narrative delves into Richard's internal struggles with faith and identity, as revealed through his journal, which becomes a source of reflection and pain for Rachel. Rachel navigates the aftermath of Richard's death, grappling with guilt, anger, and the challenge of raising their daughter Leah, who is deeply traumatized by the tragedy. Leah's journey is marked by rebellion, emotional turmoil, and eventual healing through rehabilitation and her passion for art. Rachel, meanwhile, finds solace in meditation, her work in an antiques shop, and the support of friends and family, including her sister Sarah and Richard's brother Alex. The story also explores Rachel's evolving spirituality, her rejection of organised religion, and her efforts to rebuild her life. She transforms the rectory into a retreat centre and supports Leah in opening a cocktail bar, ‘The Rainbow,’ in a de-consecrated church, symbolising inclusivity and new beginnings. The novel concludes with themes of hope and renewal, as Rachel embraces her independence, Leah thrives in her artistic career, and the family finds moments of joy and connection despite their shared grief. The story is a testament to resilience, the complexity of human relationships, and the enduring power of love.
4. The Acolyte and the Olympian (Salmon Poetry, 2027)
Newspaper Articles:
50 + Feature Newspaper Articles (each @1500 + words) Here’s a breakdown of these:
· Taxi for Elvis (Limerick Leader newspaper, 11th August, 2018). Also published in Ireland’s Own magazine, Christmas edition, 2018)
· ‘Making Rainbows’ about what writing means to me, (Limerick Leader 8/9/2018).
· A series of 3 articles on Irish writers (The Limerick Leader, September 15-29, 2018)
· A 3,000 word article (2 full pages) commemorating the start of ‘The Troubles’ in Northern Ireland, (Limerick Chronicle, 6th October, 2018).
· A series of 10 articles about creative writing, published in (Limerick Leader, Oct 13 –Dec. 29, 2018).
· Spotlight – 25 Feature Articles published in the Limerick Leader newspaper (full page, 1500 words each) profiling and showcasing local writers, musicians and artists (February – August, 2021).
· ‘Soul Revivalist Back With Don’t Wake The Day An album review (Limerick Leader, 7/6/25)
· ‘Our History in Stone and Steel – The Bridges of Limerick City’ (Limerick Leader, 21/6/25)
· ‘Works that Shaped Our Identity –The Literary History of Limerick’ (Limerick Leader, 14/6/25)
· ‘Donal Ryan Wins Orwell Prize’ An Emerging Irish literature Giant (Limerick Leader, 5/7/25)
· ‘Electric Echoes – The Beginnings of the Beat Scene In Limerick’ (Limerick Leader, 12/7/25)
· ‘Limerick’s Outdoor Gallery – Murals and Monuments’ (Limerick Leader, 19/7/25)
Note 1: He also wrote several book and music album reviews as well as a couple of obituaries, which were published in The Limerick Leader (2018-2024)
Note 2: There are several articles about him in the Limerick Leader – book launches/reviews etc.
Kieran Beville was a Baptist Pastor for 15 years but left the evangelical community in 2017 and no longer subscribes to its worldview/ethos. He was reincarnated as a poet/secular writer in 2018 after a long hiatus. Below is a list of his spiritual publications – published in Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, USA, Canada and India.
Books (ranging in length from 120 pages to 450 pages)
1. Exploring Ezra (DayOne, UK 2004)
2. Cultivating Christian Character (DayOne, UK 2005)
3. Preaching Christ in a Postmodern Culture (Cambridge Scholars Publishing UK, 2010 softback & 2011 hardback)
4. Jonah – Pride & Prejudice (ISPCK 2010, Delhi, India)
5. The Commandments in Contemporary Culture (ISPCK, 2010, Delhi, India)
6. Unwrapping Christmas (Borderstone Press 2011, Memphis TN)
7. Rediscovering the Lord’s Prayer (Borderstone Press 2012, Memphis TN)
8. Be My Witnesses – Christ’s Last Words: Our First Concern (EP Books, 2013, UK)
9. Mission Matters – Essays on the Theory, Practice and Contexts of Mission – EP Books, UK, 2014)
10. Dying to Kill – A Christian Perspective on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide (Christian Publishing House 2014,Ohio, USA)
11. Bread of Heaven – Daily Meditations on Scripture (Deo Volente, Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA 2014). Also Published by Christian Publishing House Ohio, USA, 2016)
12. Journey With Jesus Through The Message of Mark (Christian Publishing House 2015,Ohio, USA)
13. How To Interpret The Bible – An Introduction to Hermeneutics (Christian Publishing House 2016,Ohio, USA)
14. Developing Healthy Churches – A Case-Study in Revelation (Christian Publishing House 2016,Ohio, USA)
Chapters in Books:
· Three chapters published in an anthology on mission entitled, Emerging Challenges to Mission (ISPCK, 2012). These are:-
1. ‘Rethinking the Mission Paradigm in the Light of Emerging Challenges’
2. ‘The Rhythm of God’s Heartbeat: Biblical Perspectives on Mission Theology’
3. ‘Identifying the Way Forward: Keeping Mission Central in the Church’
Articles:
1. ‘New Atheism – New Religion’ (Evangelical Times, July, 2014).
2. ‘The Best News Ever’ (Evangelical Magazine of Wales, January/February, 2014)
3. ‘Waiting on God’ (Evangelicals Now, September, 2013)
4. ‘The Blessing of Brokenness’ (Delve Into Jesus Website, Canada, September, 2013).
5. ‘Draw Near To God’ (Delve Into Jesus Website, Canada, July 2013)
6. ‘Aggressive Atheism’ Evangelical Times (July, 2013).
7. ‘The Lord’s Prayer: A Meditation’ (Delve Into Jesus Website, Canada)
8. ‘When the Preacher Gets Discouraged’ (Preaching, USA, May/June, 2013)
9. ‘Aggressive Atheism’ (Churchman, Autumn 2013)
10. ‘Who Killed Jesus?’ (Grace Magazine, UK, April, 2013).
11. ‘Who Killed Jesus?’ (Delve Into Jesus Website, Canada).
12. ‘Does God Change His Mind?’ (Delve Into Jesus Website, Canada).
13. “Be My Witnesses” (Reformed Perspective, USA, October 2012).
14. ‘China: Changing Contours’ (Evangelical Times, September, 2012).
15. ‘Running the Relay Race’ (Delve into Jesus online Journal)
16. ‘Perseverance in Prayer’ (Delve into Jesus online Journal)
17. ‘Aggressive Atheism’ (Foundations: International Journal of Evangelical Theology, spring 2012).
18. ‘Militant Secularism’ (Part 1)’ (Evangelical Times, May, 2012).
19. ‘Militant Secularism’ (Part 2)’ (Evangelical Times, June, 2012).
20. ‘The Rhythm of God’s Heartbeat’ (Churchman, Winter 2012)
21. ‘The Church Community in Contemporary Culture: Evangelism and Engagement’, Puritan Reformed Journal, July, 2011).
22. ‘The Night Before Christmas’ (Delve Christian Ministries Inc., Canada, 12th December 2009 and the magazine of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, 16th December 2009)
23. ‘India: Training Trip’ (Evangelicals Now, October 2009)
24. ‘Charming The Church’ (Lifetimes, Issue 68, September 2008)
25. ‘Advice for Fathers’ (Lifetimes, Issue 67, July / August 2008)
26. ‘Faith and Failure’ (Preaching, Abingdon Press, May 2008)
27. ‘Loving the Lost and the Lonely’ (Evangelical Magazine of Wales, April / May 2008)
28. ‘Back to Bethel’ (Grace Magazine, October 2007)
29. ‘Bringing People to Jesus’ (Gospel Magazine, October 2007)
30. ‘Religion and Relationship: the Message of Malachi’ (Banner of Truth, June 2005)
31. ‘Religious Revolution in Romania’ (Evangelical Times, June 2005)
32. ‘Religious Freedom in Serbia’ (Evangelical Times, April 2005)
33. ‘Unconditional Election’ (Grace Magazine, January 2005)
34. ‘Victims or Victors’ (Evangelical Times, January 2005)
35. 'Practice and Preaching' (Evangelical Magazine of Wales, September – October 2004)
36. ‘Learning in Love’ (Banner of Truth, November 2004)
37. ‘Cultivating Christian Character: Healthy & Effective Fruit’ [Part One] (Evangelical Times, July 2004)
38. ‘Cultivating Christian Character’ [Part Two] (Evangelical Times, August 2004)
39. ‘Cultivating Christian Character’ [Part Three] (Evangelical Times, September 2004)
40. ‘He Beholds and Holds His Beloved’ Trilogy (3) (Evangelical Times, May 2004 / ‘The Eye and Hand of God’)
41. ‘Female Deacons’ [Part One] (Evangelicals Now, July 2004)
42. ‘Female Deacons’ [Part Two] (Evangelicals Now, August 2004)
43. ‘The Study of Scripture' (Evangelical Magazine of Wales, July – August 2004)
44. 'A Prepared Person' (Evangelical Magazine of Wales, May – June 2004)
45. 'The Sovereign God Superintending History' (Evangelical Magazine of Wales, March - April 2004)
46. ‘Sacrificial and Superficial Giving to God’ Trilogy (2) (Evangelical Times, March 2004)
47. ‘The Place of Humour in Preaching’, Preaching, January – February 2004)
48. ‘The Lord’s List’ Trilogy (1) Based on Ezra (Evangelical Times, January 2004)
49. ‘The Member’s Meeting’ (Reformation Today, November – December , 2003)
50. ‘Heavenly Harvest’ (Preaching On – Line’ October 2003)
51. ‘The Place of Humour in Preaching’ (Evangelicals Now, November 2003, abridged version)
52. ‘Heavenly Harvest’ (The Evangelical Magazine of Wales, September / October 2003)
53. ‘A Great Father’ (The Gospel Magazine, September 2003)
54. ‘Preaching that Persuades’ (The Banner of Truth, August – September 2003)
55. ‘The Diploma Disease’ (Evangelical Times, August 2003)
56. ‘The Compassionate Character of Christ’ (Gospel Magazine, July, 2003)
57. ‘Faith of Our Fathers’ (Life Times, June, 2003)
58. ‘Charming the Church’ (The Banner of Truth, May, 2003)
59. ‘A Mosaic of the Master’ (The Monthly Record: The Free Church of Scotland Magazine, April, 2003)
60. ‘Preaching that Persuades’ (Foundations: The British Evangelical Council Journal of Theology, Spring 2008).
61. 'Vox-Pop and Vanishing Pulpits' (The Banner of Truth Magazine, January, 2003).
62. 'Preaching Christ in a Postmodern Culture' (Foundations: The British Evangelical Council Journal of Theology, November, 2002).
63. 'From Congregations to Audiences' (The Evangelical Magazine of Wales, August, 2002).
64. 'A Place at the Top Table' (Evangelical Times, August 2002).
65. ‘The Way Forward For Fathers' (Irish Baptist Life, June, 2002).
[1] Beville wrote a weekly features column, ‘Spotlight’, in the Limerick Leader newspaper showcasing Limerick writers, artists and musicians, as well as a host of feature articles (100+) published internationally.
[2] Cyphers, Crossways, A New Ulster, Ogham Stone, The Stony Thursday Book, The Sunday Tribune, The Galway Review, Live Encounters, Pandemic Poetry, The Phare, The Brussels Review, Manila Literary Journal, New Isles Press, Shine (Poetry Quarterly), All Your Poems – Anthology of Christmas Themed Poems, Too Powerful A Word (Serbian Anthology), Counting Down – An Anthology of Poetry and Illustrations [etc.]
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