O’Rourkes listed in Dictionary of National Biography incl. Sir
Brian na Murtha O’Rourke (d.1591), allowed to regain possession of
Leitrim, 1578; rebelled, 1580; invaded Connaught, 1580; supported Spaniards,
1588; driven out by Sir Richard Bingham, 1589; fled to Scotland, and handed
up by James IV; executed; identified with proud Irish rebel of Bacon’s
essay, ‘Of Custom and Education’; Brian Oge, or Brian na Samthach
O’Rourke (d.1604); natural son of former and successor as The O’Rourke,
made war on English and O’Donnells alternately; Edmund O’Rourke
[see Falconer]; Tiernan O’Rourke (d.1172), king of Breffny; warred
on Meath and Connaught; expelled from chiefship, 1141; restored soon after;
attacked O’Connor, 1148; invaded Ulida [Ulster]; his wife carried
off by O’Connor and Diarmait Mac Murchada, 1152; reparation made,
1167; slain by Hugo de Lacy.