Brian O'Rourke (composer) explained

Brian O'Rourke
Birth Date:	1949
Nationality:	Irish
Occupation:	Composer

Brían O'Rourke (1949-2022) was a composer and singer of Irish folk songs. He lectured in Irish Studies at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology and authored several books on Irish folk songs.

Life

O'Rourke was born in Ratheniska, County Laois.^[1] He was married and had three children, with whom he lived in Magherabaun, Feakle. O'Rourke taught Irish Studies or Irish Heritage at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology.

Works

O'Rourke published two volumes with collections of Irish songs.^[2] These songs were frequently performed by Sean nós singers.

• Blas Meala (english: A sip from the honeypot)^[3]
• An Dhub ina Bhan (english: Pale rainbow)^[4]

As a composer, he was best known for "The Bhodrán song" (when I grow up), included on the album The Very Best of Irish Ballads (ARC Music 2015) and Chantal du Champignon.^[5]

In the book chapter "County Mayo in Gaelic Folk Song", O´Rourke identifies a series of characters in the history of County Mayo that are remembered through folk songs.^[6]

• Seán Mac Aoidh, murder suspect and ascribed author of the poem Sail Og Rua
• Dónal Ó Maoláine, rapparee described in an adventure song
• Lacky Ó Máille, the troubled friar and author of two songs
• Tomás Bán Mac Aodhagáin, a person sentenced to be hanged who is described in the song that bears his name
• Dónal Meirgeach Mac Conmara, the freckled adscribed author of the song An Ghaoth Andeas

Notes and References

1. Web site: McGarry . Fiona . 2022-04-15 . Tributes paid to late Dr Brían O’Rourke at funeral . 2022-09-14 . The Clare Champion . en-GB.
2. Web site: Composer Of Irish Folk Songs- Brian O'Rourke . 2022-09-14 . Enjoy Irish Culture.
3. Book: O'Rourke, Brian . Blas meala : a sip from the honey-pot : a selection of Gaelic folksongs with prose translations and verse equivalents . 1985 . Irish Academic Press . 0-7165-2357-4 . Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland . 13396163.
4. Book: O'Rourke, Brian . Pale rainbow : a selection of Gaelic folksongs with prose translations and verse equivalents = An Dubh ina bhán . 1990 . Irish Academic Press . 0-7165-2425-2 . Blackrock, Co. Dublin . 22422317.
5. Web site: Spiegel . Max . Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke) . 2022-09-14 . mudcat.org.
6. Book: Mayo : aspects of its heritage . 1982 . Archaeological, Historical, and Folklore Society, Regional Technical College . Bernard O'Hara . 0-9508233-0-9 . Galway, Ireland . 9687670.