Tributes have been paid to the late Kevin O’Rourke of Cherrygarth, Portlaoise, a man who was highly respected in local music and golf circles.
Originally from Railway Street in Portlaoise, for years he ran the Social Welfare office in Portlaoise, on Church Street and Railway Street, where he put his legendary organisation skills to good use, before his retirement a few years ago.
A keen golfer, he was Captain of The Heath Golf Club in 1992 and President in 2002. He also served as Treasurer for a number of years. He was also involved in the Past Captains of the Midlands and served as Secretary to the society for a number of years.
A guard of honour was performed by the Heath Golf Club at his funeral in Portlaoise while representatives of several golf clubs from across the midlands attended his funeral.
However, he will probably be best remembered for his involvement in local musical circles, and was prominent during the showband era when he played keyboard for a number of bands, including The Vikings from Carlow.
He subsequently managed The Black Knights, with Willy O’Reilly and Donal Bland on lead and rhythm guitars.
Seamus O’Brien grew up with him on Railway Street and after losing touch for a number of years, he joined up with Kevin in the Rhythm Kings, a Carlow based band, in 1963.The two Portlaoise men were joined by Tom Cooney on trombone and Paddy Walsh, from near Ballinakill, on saxophone.
The band changed its name to The Vikings and forged a reputation for itself on the lively ballroom scene before splitting up around 1967.
The Rathdowney based Black Knights followed before The Knights showband was formed, with Seamus as lead singer and Kevin as their manager. “He was a fantastic organiser and his attention to detail was second to none,” Seamus said.
The top twenty charts on Radio Luxembourg had a big following at the time and Kevin would have the lyrics of several new hits beautifully typed out and ready for the band to learn and perform.
Kevin managed to book the band for top venues around the country, including the National Ballroom in Parnell Square, which was a real coup.
The Knights also played the TV Club on Harcourt Street, a much sought after venue at the time. “We were the envy of many, many other bands at the time,” Seamus said.
They also embarked on a UK tour, organised by Kevin, taking in gigs in Manchester, Birmingham and London.
Single
In 1969 they recorded a single, with Kevin picking the studio and ensuring that nothing was left to chance.
As the ballroom era came to an end in the 1970s, the band continued to play local venues for a time.
With Kevin now the manager of the Social Welfare Office in Portlaoise, he stepped away from music management, turning his considerable talents to golf instead.
He was known in local golfing circles as a man who was a success at anything he turned his hand to.
He is survived by his wife Jane, daughter Niamh, sons Stephen and Brian, grandchildren Abi and Matt, sisters Mary and Evelyn, mother-in-law Treasa Quinn, daughter-in-law Suzanne, brothers-in-law Dan, Kevin, Paul and Joe, sisters-in-law Ann and Louise, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
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