The Irish standard., 1907-12-07
AUTH0R OF KILLARNEY
Written by Edmund O'Rourke,
Who Was Born in Dublin.

Michael William Balfe the Com
poser, Not Author.
For fully half a century the delight
full song of Killarney" has been sung
all over the world, and yet the author
has not received that merit of recog-
milton which the merits of the song de-
with the personality of the composer
Michael William Balfe-but not ninety
nine persons out of hundred know
anything of the man who wrote the
beautiful words commencing by Kill
larney's lakes and fells,' says ". H.
Grattan Flood. Killarney" was writ
ten by Edmund O'Rourke distinguished
actor, dramatst and author of some
excellent libretti of operas as we'll as
of some charming songs.
For generations the family of
ORourke had been farmers in the
County of Kildare, but owing to the
enactments of the Penal Laws. they
were compelled to leave the ancestral
homestead about the year 177o In 1775
and onwards, in fact. as late as 1S45,
the O'Rourkes had a printing works
in Beresford street. Dublin; Brian
O'Rourke was there toward the close
of the eighteenth century-and in the
Dublin Directory for 1914 we find Ed
mund and Simon O'Rourke as printers
The family, which was remarkable for
Its fondness for music. appears to have
been connected with County Dublin so
far back as the middle of the eighteenth
century, for Miss O'Rourke married
Christopher Reynolds, of Jamestown,
or Tyrrellstown, about 1904 In pass
ing. 1t may be remarked that Ed
mond" was q family name Of the Kill
dare branch of the ORourkes.
The author of Killarney" was born
at No. 13 Beresford street, Dublin. in
1913, was grandson of Brian O'Rourke,
and was originally an apprentice in the
printing trade in his fathers and uncle's
printing works, but love of litera-
ture took possession of him, and he
also acquired taste for the drama by
visits to the Theatre Royal, Hawkins
street, where he often met Michael
William Balfe, Charles Edward Horne
Composer of the Banks Of Allen
Water" Cherry Ripe" II Know al
etc) and other youthful friends,
in the Years 1922 and 1924. On the
death of his father and uncle, young
Edmund ORourke found his way to
manager of the Bolton Theatre.
Many writer's have stated that Ed
mund O'Rourke was manager of the
Dublin Theatre Royal In the years 1914
to 1s47, but that is not SO. Calcraft
held that position. However, Edmund
O'Rourke was manager of the Queens
Theatre from 1874 to 1S47, and thus
a successful apprenticeship in
the drama, also appearing as an actor.
In 1888 and 1899 he renewed his ac-
Quaintance with Balfe, the composer,
In Dublin, and he was also a. friend
of Tyrone Power, who made his last
appearance in the Hawkins Street
Theatre Royal on June 20, 1910. No
doubt. he also assisted at the first
Dublin performance Of the opera, "Ame-
liza OH the Love Test" composed by
his namesake, O'Rourke-who changed
his name to Rookie" in April, 1S4l.
O'Rourke remained in Bolton from
1S4S to 1854, and then proceeded to
London. While in Bolton he published
a. poem entitled, Mans Mission A
to Glory's Goal,' in 1852,
which gave evidence to his gifts in
His first dramatic piece
was "Cagot, or Heart for Heart" al
rhymed play in four acts. published in
London in 1856. This piece, written
proved only success
d'estime. Balfe, however, recognized
the dramatic ability Of his countryman
and asked O'Rourlxe to assist Augustus
Harris, stage manager of the Lyceum
in a libretto. This was in
1857. At that date the
Pyne and Harrison Company took over
the Lyceum Theatre, London, for the
production of national opera. and Balfe
was invited to furnish Il new piece.
Edmund O'Rourke was appointed man
ager. position which he filled for Ave
years.
ORourke's Rose of CASTLE" (found-
ed on lie Muletier de Toledo"), in col
laboration with Augustus Harris, was