O'ROURKE, Philip

   Cause of his death was bronchitis.

   Other names for Philip were ROURK, Philip ¹ and ROURKE, Philip.²

  General Notes:

The 1881 census for Old Monkland parish, Lanarkshire recorded Philip Rourke as head of a household of eleven people: himself, his wife, eight sons and daughters, and his brother, Patrick Rourke. The household were living at 16 Merryston Square. Philip was recorded as 39 years of age and had beeb born in Ireland. He worked as a general labourer.

Philip's death certificate of 1918 recorded him as 'formerly a colliery labourer, married to Bridget Boyle', and aged 77 years. His own parents were both deceased by then.

A descendant of Philip considers that he most likely came from Knocknashangan or Shanmullagh, Devenish Parish, County Fermanagh, Ireland.

Philip had family contact in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, USA. ^{3 4}

  Research Notes:

THANKS

I am indebted to members of this family for information which they have generously made available to Patrick's People

PHILIP AND PHELIM

In Ireland, 'Philip O'Rourke' would likely have been 'Phelim Rourke'.

Phelim is 'Philip', but in Scotland it was often rendered as 'Felix', perhaps to preserve some of the sound of the original.

SHANMULLAGH

Shanmullagh, a Gaelic expression meaning 'top of an old high hill', is where family members believe this O'Rourke family may have originated. It is considered by them to be in the Devenish or Cleenish parish of County Fermanagh, Ireland.

The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland lists the townland name in County Armagh, County Fermanagh and County Tyrone:

Shanmullagh (Co Fermanagh)
Shanmullagh East (Co Tyrone)
Shanmullagh Glebe (Co Tyrone)
Shanmullagh or Ballycullen (Co Armagh)
Shanmullagh West (Co Tyrone)

There is also a Shanmullagh House in County Monaghan and a Shanemullagh in Derry.

  Medical Notes:

The cause of death was certified by Jim McKay MD.

Patrick O'Rourke, son of the deceased. of 95B Dundyvan Road, Coatbridge, gave notice of the death before the registrar Jessie Andrew on 8 January 1918.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Census, 1861, Bothwell Parish, Lanarkshire, Scotland. He was aged 18

Philip married Bridget BOYLE, daughter of James BOYLE and Bridget McSHARRY, on 13 February 1866 in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, Scotland. (Bridget BOYLE was born about 1840 in Ireland ⁴ and died after 7 January 1918.)

  Marriage Notes:

The marriage was celebrated after banns according to the rites and forms of the Roman Catholic Church. The priest was Michael O' Keeffe CC, and the witnesses were James Brady and Mary McGrorty.

Philip O'Rourke was 22 years of age, a bachelor and a collier. His address was given as Fills Land, Dundyvan. His father was deceased.

Bridget Boyle was a brickwork worker aged 24 years. She was of John Street Coatbridge and was unmarried. Both of her parents were dead.

The registration of the marriage was dated 17 February 1866 at Old Monkland, Thomas Burdon being the registrar.