The Bourkes' business started in 1881 and included harnesses, saddlery, bicycles, motorcars, a cinema and a power generation station which provided Castlebar with electricity.
During World War II he re-introduced stained glass, screen printing, weaving and metal work to the college's curriculum.
To facilitate this expansion he encouraged Patrick McElroy, a blacksmith and RAF veteran with CIÉ to lecture on enamelling and fine art metalwork.
The exhibition tour also included works by: Sir John Lavery, Walter Osborne, Nathaniel Hone, Patrick Tuohy, Maurice MacGonigal, Seán O'Sullivan, Jack Butler Yeats, John Keating, Laetitia Hamilton, James Humbert Craig, Harry Kernoff, and Charles Lamb.
This is reflected by his works, the majority of which were created in the West, often at Achill Island in Mayo, Connemara in Galway, and the surrounding areas.
He also painted a significant number of harbour and quay scenes, depicting fishermen at work, currachs, trawlers, Galway hookers and various piers.