After a year’s hiatus from gigging and recording, Jack O’Rourke plays two intimate shows at Coughlans in early January 2026.
Some new songs are brewing!
Three critically acclaimed albums in and a nominee for both RTE Choice Song of the Year and RTE Folk Awards, the Cork-born songwriter devoted a residency at the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris to setting Brendan Behan’s poetry to music, resulting in the contemporary folk, Oscar and Uaigneas.
Featuring Sea Swimming, Opera on the Top Floor and Patsy Cline, Jack O’Rourke’s third and most recent album, Wild Place received triumphant critical acclaim and National radio play. Depicting a unique musicality with, as ever, strong emphasis on the piano, poetic lyrics and his captivating voice.
Ever eclectic as an artist, Jack was part of the lineup honouring John Prine at Vicar Street and he paid tribute to Leonard Cohen, Thin Lizzy and Neil Young with the RTE Concert Orchestra on National tours. His collaboration on the electro track New Day, with Kormac showed new musical territory. A headliner at Other Voices, Jack’s performance culminated in a televised moving interpretation of Joni Mitchell's River with Loah at St. James', Dingle.
Jack looks forward to wearing his most authentic hat – songwriter - once more and he is currently crafting songs at the piano, for the next adventure on record.
“Melodies are in abundance. The man is also a gifted lyricist” The Irish Times
“Wild Place seals O’Rourke’s reputation as one of Ireland’s most gifted performers.” – Hotpress
“Sparse, well-spaced arrangements, with lyrics of pathos and wit” - RTE Arena
“Wild Place, a suite of economical chamber-pop songs, will linger long after the year is gone.” - Sunday Business Post