In Reply to: Re: Madam burke posted by Tempus on October 01, 2005 at 13:06:47:

I have very vivid memories of Madam Bourke(sometmes referred to as Madam de Burca). I went to school with her son Sean, a gifted musician who played with Brose Walsh and other local bands over the years. Thankfully Sean and his sister Mary are still with us. Madam was married to Walter Bourke, who worked in Rattigans of Castle Street. He was a very well-read man. Madam Bourke was formerly McLynskey from Main Street. Her brothers, Joe and Willie, had two business premises on the Main Street. I met a daughter of Joe's in Castlebar some years ago; think she lives in California. It was said that Willie, Toby Comer and Bobby McHale walked to the Baths Hotel at Westport years ago for a few pints. Bobby's brother, Stephen, worked as a bookkeeper in the Connaught Telegraph for many years.