User:Cathar11/Bernard O'Rourke (Irish politician)

Bernard O'Rourke  (3 November 1874 - 1957) was born in Inniskeen, County Monaghan. His father was a farmer and the owner of a corn mill. In the 1890's he inherited the mill. He proved to be a capable businessman expanded the milling business by acquiring Brown's Mill on Mill Street in Dundalk.

In 1899 he was elected to the newly created Carrickmacross Rural District Council in 1899. He helped establish the Inniskeen branch of the United Irish League in 1905 and was its vice-president. In 1904 he was appointed as a Justice of the peace. He was elected a member of Monaghan County Council in 1906 a role he held until he retired in 1945.

He was interred in 1916 in the aftermath of the Easter Rising

He became a senator in 1922. He acquired a 40% shareholding in Beleek Pottery. He founded and acted as Chairman and Managing Diector of Arklow pottery, a public company.