Ciaran Bourke

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Ciaran Bourke (18 February 1935 - May 10, 1988) was one of the original members of the Irish folk band The Dubliners, his versatility was his hallmark which included the playing of the tin whistle, harmonica, and guitar, as well as singing. He was the only member of the group to receive a university education. He was also fluent in Irish.

Bourke collapsed on stage from a brain hemorrhage during a performance in 1974. He never made a full recovery, and eventually died in 1988. Forced to leave the group due to his hemorrhage, he made a final brief appearance with them on The Late Late Show tribute to The Dubliners in 1987. He recited a poem entitled "The Lament for Brendan Behan". Between his leaving the group in 1974 and the time of his death, The Dubliners continued to pay Bourke and they did not take on a full-time fifth member during his lifetime.

Songs he sang with The Dubliners included drinking songs such as "Jar Of Porter" and "All For Me Grog", as well as patriotic songs such as "Take It Down From The Mast" and "The Dublin Fusiliers". He sang "Peggy Lettermore" in his native Irish.