“The Kingdom of West Breifne (Irish: Breifne Ua Ruairc) or Breifne O’Rourke was a historic kingdom of Ireland that existed from 1256 to 1605, located in the area that is now County Leitrim. It took its present boundaries in 1583 when West Breifne was shired and renamed Leitrim, after the village of Leitrim, which was an O’Rourke stronghold. The kingdom came into existence after a battle between the ruling O’Rourke clan and the ascendant O’Reillys caused the breakup of the older Kingdom of Breifne and led to the formation of East Breifne and West Breifne. The kingdom was ruled by the O’Rourke clan and lasted until the early 17th century, when their lands were confiscated by England”
Wikipedia
Poetry, Music & Song
From early references – Annals of the Four Masters and Leabhar na nGenealach it is clear that the O Rourke’s (Ó Ruairc’s) of Breifne were considered lovers of music and poetry, indeed that many of them themselves were regarded as great bards.
Brian O’ Rourke Ballach , king of Breifne, was born into the ruling branch of the O’Rourke family sometime in the late fifteenth century. He died of a fall in 1562. In his obituary the Annals of the Four Masters refer to him as “‘a man whose supporters, fosterers, adherents and tributaries’ extended throughout much of Connacht. He was also acknowledged as a great patron of bardic poets, the Four Masters stating that he ‘”had the best collection of poems” and that, “of all his tribe, had bestowed the greatest number of presents for poetical eulogies”
Brian’s daughters also inspired poetry – the poet Tadhg Dall Ó hUiginn wrote verses for his daughter Mór, which begins ‘A Mhór cuimhnigh an comann’ (‘Ah Mór, remember the affection’).
Brian’s son, Brian na Múrtha was also a great patron of Gaelic poets. Three poems are known to have been written for him. One, beginning ‘D’fíor chogaidh comhailtear síocháin’ (‘Towards the warlike man peace is observed’), was also written by Tadhg Dall Ó hUiginn.
Brian na Múrtha was also the O Rourke who inspired the song ‘Pléaráca na Ruarcach’, after a great feast he threw one Christmas time. Composed in about 1700 by Hugh McGuaran, it was set to music by Turlough O’ Carolan and was later translated into English by Jonathan Swift.
And there were further poems, tunes and songs dedicated to the O’ Rourke’s over the years.
from “The County Leitrim Society of New York – The Centennial Year 1895 – 1995”
