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Ciarán Bourke (18 February 1935 - 10 May 1988) was an Irish musician and one of the original founding members of the Irish folk band The Dubliners.

Early life

Ciarán Bourke was born in Dublin on 18 February 1935. His father, a doctor, was in practice in the City. The children had an Irish-speaking nanny. Ciarán's early exposure to his native tongue was continued throughout his education, attending Colaiste Mhuire, Parnell Square, Dublin. He later attended University College Dublin for a course in Agricultural Science. He did not take his degree but always retained an interest in farming.

The Dubliners

After leaving university, he met his future bandmates in the Dubliners Ronnie Drew and Barney McKenna who invited Ciarán to join their sessions in O'Donoghue's Pub, where he played tin whistle, mouth organ, guitar and sang. Luke Kelly, who had been singing around the clubs in England, returned to Dublin and the four gained local popularity. Then known as The Dubliners, the group put together the first folk concert of its kind in Dublin. The concert was a success, then a theatrical production called “A Ballad Tour of Ireland” was put on at the Gate Theatre shortly afterwards.

Declining health and death

On 5 April 1974, The Dubliners travelled down to Eastbourne where they were appearing in concert. Luke was worried by the way Ciarán kept moving his head about, as if trying to alleviate increasing pain. Four minutes into the second half, it was decided he could not continue with the show. Luke insisted that a doctor should be phoned and instructed to await their return to the Irish Club at Eaton Square. The roadie for the trip, John Corry, thought that it was better to drive straight to St. George's Hospital at Hyde Park Corner, where the doctors diagnosed a brain aneurysm. Ciarán was transferred to the Atkinson Morley Hospital in Wimbledon, while doctors waited for his wife to return from a trip to Ghana, to get her signature before operating. She was told that there was danger of further hemorrhaging. Ciarán was operated on at the earliest opportunity. The bleeding began again while he was on the table which meant that they could not repair the damage, just staunch the bleeding. This left him paralysed down his left side and confused as to where he was and what had happened.

Ciarán received intensive therapy, attending a clinic in Dun Laoghaire, County Dublin. He was heartened by his progress and insisted on rejoining the Dubliners on their next tour of the Continent in November that year.

Ciarán's continued insistence that he was fit enough to join them on the forthcoming German tour caused them considerable disquiet. They preferred he ease himself back to work, with a few small shows in Ireland. The tour gradually began to take its toll on Ciarán, and it was decided that for the sake of his health he should return home. He flew from Brussels to Dublin.

From 1974, until his death in 1988, Ciarán still was paid by the band. A fifth member of the band was not recruited until after Ciarán's death.

Ciarán Bourke died on May 10, 1988 following long illness.

Personal life

Ciarán married Jeannie Bonham on 5 April 1964. Together they had six daughters Ciara, Laoighse, Siobhra, Rathfionna, Saoirse and Seodhna.