Brian ORourke
Life ?-1591 [Sir Brian na Murtagh; var. Murtha]; The ORourke; 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 Bacons essay, Of Custom and Education; his residence on Lough Gill subsequently rebuilt as Parkes Castle overlooking the Lake Isle of Innisfree. ODNB
References Dictionary of National Biography: ORourkes listed incl. Sir Brian na Murtha ORourke (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 Bacons essay, Of Custom and Education; Brian Oge, or Brian na Samthach ORourke (d.1604); natural son of former and successor as The ORourke, made war on English and ODonnells alternately; Edmund ORourke [see Falconer]; Tiernan ORourke (d.1172), king of Breffny; warred on Meath and Connaught; expelled from chiefship, 1141; restored soon after; attacked OConnor, 1148; invaded Ulida [Ulster]; his wife carried off by OConnor and Diarmait Mac Murchada, 1152; reparation made, 1167; slain by Hugo de Lacy.
Notes There is an apocryphal narrative in Joseph Cooper Walkers Historical Memoirs (1786), concerning ORourkes supposed sojourn to London during which he is made the object of amorous attentions from Elizabeth I, but is visited at night by a swordsman instead when he speaks openly to the queen of the ring on her hand which he has previously seen on his mysterious lovers.
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