Nora Bourke

NORA Bourke was born in Srah, Tourmakeady, on March 13 1922, to Tom and Bridget Lally. She was the third oldest of nine children, coming from an era of big families and a time in our history much more different, traditional and wholesome than that which we know today.

Having completed her education Nora found employment working with the clergy in her local community, serving both Fr Fair in Tourmakeady and later, Fr Colleran in Claremorris.

Nora was of a generation were people, though experiencing some great hardships and adversities, enjoyed full, active, long and happy lives. Many of her siblings emigrated to America in the decades of the mid twentieth century, some would never again see their native place, and though she often spoke of them, Nora remained in her homestead, serving the local priests loyally until she met her husband Patrick Sonny Bourke, whom she married on February 9, 1953. They lived on the Bourke family farm in Newtown, Clogher, in the postal district of Claremorris, a few miles from Ballintuber and Carnacon. Four children followed; Paddy Joe, Mary, Bríd and Tom, and the family lived with Sonny’s mother Margaret until her death in 1980 at the age of 99.  

Farming and looking after her family were Nora’s priorities, and she was a devout Catholic, praying several times a day without fail. She maintained this habit throughout her life, until prevented from doing so by poor health in recent years. Nora was a renowned cook, employing traditional methods without modern appliances, innovations and recipes until relatively recently, and her house always had a welcome for neighbours and visitors, and a kettle on the hearth.

Nora was of a generation where people lived a traditional and healthy life, without many of the complexities and ways of today. They ate simple and pure foods, attended dances, farmed to a point of being as self sufficient as possible and cycled to Mass several times a week. Nora and Sonny, like all in their village, were excellent neighbours and friends to those who lived near them. Weekly trips would be taken to Castlebar by bicycle to do some shopping for the family, and for a women like Nora, her work would rarely ever be done, such was the desire to keep busy and occupied. Along with Sonny, she raised their family in this way.

Nora was also a competent gaelgeoir, and spoke Irish daily, or whenever the opportunity arose, right up until her death. Her love for the Irish language and her native place was evident, and she was particularly fond of the regular trips her family would make back to Tourmakeady with her, where she still knew many people and had friends. She would also relish the chance to visit Knock Shrine, and was a regular pilgrim to the Apparition Chapel, and Basilica, after it was built.

After Sonny’s death in August 1989, Nora gradually became more dependent on her children, and though she continued to maintain her home with great pride, she eventually moved in with her youngest son Tom and his family, next door in Newtown.

She continued to live a full and active life up until about ten years ago, when her health began to decline, helping out on the farm, calling to neighbours and relatives, attending Mass and visiting for extended periods her daughters and their families: Mary in Westport and Bríd in Caherlistrane, near Headford.

As Nora began to need more constant care, she was eventually trusted to the staff of Our Lady’s Unit in the Sacred Heart Hospital in Castlebar. She died there on Thursday, July 24, surrounded by some family members and in the presence of Fr Frank Fahey, PP Ballintubber, who had long been a friend and confidant to Nora. Her final months had seen her health deteriorate significantly, and in her ninety-second year, there was no prospect for recovery.

Nora was waked on Friday, July 25, in the house of her son Tom and his wife Bridie and their family, and a steady stream of callers came to the Bourke home that night and on Saturday, July 26, to pay their respects to her family. Removal took place to her beloved Ballintubber Abbey later that evening, where Fr Fahey received her remains with prayers.

Nora’s Funeral Mass was held on Sunday, July 27, in the Abbey, and was celebrated by Fr Fahey, with Fr Ulick Bourke, from Newtown, concelebrating. Nora’s grandchildren and great grandchildren participated prominently in the ceremony, doing the readings and prayers of the faithful and bringing gifts to the altar. The bread and wine were offered by her daughters Bríd and Mary, while her granddaughter Lorraine read a beautiful post-communion Eulogy. In his homily, Fr Fahey spoke of how Nora was a faithful parishioner, and talking of her younger years, he also said that he had been a regular visitor to her in recent times, and had in fact anointed her on many occasions when her condition had indicted she was prepared to pass on, only for her to make a recovery every time. He also said that it was fitting that Nora had drawn her last breath as he leaned over her and whispered a prayer ‘as gaeilge’ into her ear the previous Thursday night.

Following her funeral Mass, Nora’s coffin was carried to her final resting place in Drum Cemetery by her sons Paddy Joe and Tom and grandsons. She was buried alongside her husband Sonny, whose twenty-fifth anniversary occurs later this week.

Nora is survived by her children; Paddy Joe, Mary, Bríd and Tom; daughters-in-law, Bridie and Pat Bourke; son-in-law, Colam O’Neill; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; sister, Winnie (Chicago); brother, Phil (Chicago); nieces; nephews; neighbours and family friends.

Nora’s Month’s Mind Mass will take place in Ballintubber Abbey on Saturday, August 30, at 8pm. That Mass will also celebrate the 25 year anniversary of the death of her late husband Sonny, who died on August 30 1989.

United once again, may they rest in peace forever.