Brian O'Rourke (composer)

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Brian O'Rourke
Born1949
Died2022 (aged 72–73)
NationalityIrish
OccupationComposer

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[edit]

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[edit]

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]

References[edit]

  1. ^ McGarry, Fiona (15 April 2022). "Tributes paid to late Dr Brían O'Rourke at funeral". The Clare Champion. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Composer Of Irish Folk Songs- Brian O'Rourke". Enjoy Irish Culture. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  3. ^ O'Rourke, Brian (1985). Blas meala : a sip from the honey-pot : a selection of Gaelic folksongs with prose translations and verse equivalents. Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland: Irish Academic Press. ISBN 0-7165-2357-4. OCLC 13396163.
  4. ^ O'Rourke, Brian (1990). Pale rainbow : a selection of Gaelic folksongs with prose translations and verse equivalents = An Dubh ina bhán. Blackrock, Co. Dublin: Irish Academic Press. ISBN 0-7165-2425-2. OCLC 22422317.
  5. ^ Spiegel, Max. "Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)". mudcat.org. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  6. ^ Mayo : aspects of its heritage. Bernard O'Hara. Galway, Ireland: Archaeological, Historical, and Folklore Society, Regional Technical College. 1982. ISBN 0-9508233-0-9. OCLC 9687670.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)