Roscrea Hospice Festival will remember Anthony Bourke
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North Tipperary Hospice will remember Roscrea’s Anthony Bourke in Roscrea Rugby Club this Saturday August 22nd from 3pm
Ahead of a fundraising music festival organised by North Tipperary Hospice in memory of Roscrea man Anthony Bourke, his wife Valerie said music was a huge part of his life.
Anthony moved back from the UK with his family in 2005 and worked alongside his brother Paul in Banagher Concrete.
Anthony’s love of music saw him set up a band called Tipp-Off with his cousin Colm Bourke, which proved very successful with them performing both at home and in the UK.
Anthony was diagnosed with cancer in July 2012 and unfortunately was unable to continue with the band, which was very upsetting for him as singing was his great love, Valerie told the Tribune.
During his illness, he was Chairperson of Roscrea Hospice and also served on the Board of North Tipperary Hospice.
“He was committed to raising much needed funds for hospice and his driving force to achieving this was to be commended. His motto was let’s get this done and he ploughed on to make sure it was achieved”, Valerie said.
Many local musicians who played with Anthony are taking part in the festival and Valerie said “they were told that they were playing, they weren’t asked, that was Anthony’s way - get it done.”
Anthony brought Don Stiffe to Racket Hall and raised a huge amount for Hospice and he won a Roscrea People of the Year Award in 2016 for his outstanding service to the Community.
In 2023 he was recognised as a Hospice Hero for his contribution to Hospice – which he celebrated with his daughter Erin on her 21st birthday in Dublin.
Anthony also loved playing music in all of the local nursing homes and with Age Friendly and also the Rambling House in Roscrea.
“Music was a big part of his life. He set up in his kitchen during Covid and recorded songs to share on Facebook, this gave him joy and it was nice for those who might have been at home staring at four walls that they were able to sing along with him,” Valerie recalled.
“Fundraising isn’t easy and Anthony was always mindful of this, some would comment that Hospice were constantly doing collections, but Anthony’s response was, cancer was affecting so many families and it was important to him that the supports were put in place in Roscrea so that people didn’t have to travel to Nenagh or Thurles to avail of counselling or other important services,” Valerie said