Resources

Delve Deeper into the Story of the O’Rourkes.

This page offers a number of resources created as part of the O’Rourke Heritage Project. These include recorded lectures and discussions, downloadable education packs and booklets, and interactive memory maps. Through them you can uncover and directly engage with this extraordinary Gaelic family, who for so long ruled supreme over Leitrim’s landscape.

You can find them by scrolling below.

Videos and Lectures

As part of the study and celebration of the story of the O’Rourkes, the Heritage Office of Leitrim County Council has commissioned a number of short videos that provide insights on the lives and legacies of the O’Rourkes.

We also have recorded lectures with leading experts, so you can dig even deeper into the story. All available on this page and on the Leitrim Heritage YouTube Channel.

This is a short preview of the three videos launched to celebrate the legacy of the O’Rourke’s of Leitrim. Dr Kieran O’Conor tells us the fascinating history of Creevelea Friary, which was founded in 1508 by Eoghan O’Rourke; Frank Clinton tells the tragic story of Brian ‘Is Óige’ O’Rourke, the last O’Rourke; and Dave Swift of Claíomh demonstrates the weapons and armour that the O’Rourke’s would have used during their rise and fall.

The Connecting Through Heritage video series is an initiative of the Leitrim County Council Heritage Office and is part-funded by the Heritage Council.

The O’Rourke’s of Leitrim and Creevelea Friary

In this video we are joined by Dr Kieran O’Conor, who will tell us the fascinating history of Creevelea Friary, which was founded in 1508 by Eoghan O’Rourke and his wife Margaret O’Brien.

The O’Rourke’s of Leitrim and Medieval Warfare

In this video we are joined by archaeologist Dave Swift of Claíomh, who will demonstrate and discuss the weapons and armour that the O’Rourke’s would have used during their rise and fall.

The O’Rourke’s of Leitrim and The Last O’Rourke

In this video we are joined by Frank Clinton who will tell the tragic story of Brian Is Óige O’Rourke, the ‘Last’ O’Rourke.

Panel Discussion on the History and Archaeology of the O’Rourkes

Recorded live on 17th August, 2025, at The Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, this engaging discussion featured Dr Kieran O’Conor of the University of Galway, Dr Seán Ó Hoireabhárd of Maynooth University and Neil Jackman of Abarta Heritage, who discussed and debated the history and archaeology of the O’Rourkes of Bréifne.

The O’Rourkes of Leitrim: Their Origins, History & Genealogy

Medieval historian Dr Paul MacCotter delivers this detailed webinar where he discusses the history and genealogy of the O’Rourkes of Bréifne. Recorded live as A Connecting Through Leitrim’s Heritage Talk, on the 30th August 2024.

O’Rourkes of Leitrim Heritage Booklet

This downloadable booklet introduces some of the stories of the O’Rourkes of Leitrim. Written by Tara Ó Faoláin and Róisín Burke and designed and illustrated by Sara Nylund. Produced by Abarta Heritage for Leitrim County Council and funded through The Heritage Council.

Use the PDF viewer or download and print.

Education Packs

This is a downloadable resource for senior cycle primary school children written and designed by Abarta Heritage on behalf of Leitrim County Council with support from Creative Ireland.

Available in Irish or English. Use the PDF viewer below, or download and print.

Map Guide

This map guide helps you to step into the story of the O’Rourkes, by exploring some of the places best associated with them across County Leitrim. Follow in their footsteps through castles and crannogs, friaries and landscapes full of folklore.

Designed by EZExploring on behalf of Leitrim County Council with support from Creative Ireland. Use the PDF viewer below, or download and print.