Brian_O'Rourke_(composer)
Brian O'Rourke (composer)
Irish singer and lecturer (1949–2022)
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.
Brian O'Rourke | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1949 |
| Died | 2022 (aged 72–73) |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Occupation | Composer |
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.
O'Rourke published two volumes with collections of Irish songs.[2] These songs were frequently performed by Sean nós singers.
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
- McGarry, Fiona (15 April 2022). "Tributes paid to late Dr Brían O'Rourke at funeral". The Clare Champion. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
- "Composer Of Irish Folk Songs- Brian O'Rourke". Enjoy Irish Culture. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
- 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.
- 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.
- Spiegel, Max. "Lyr Add: Chantal du Champignon (Brian O'Rourke)". mudcat.org. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
- 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.
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