[2] Despite the contemporaneous culture of those of his class, he had little love for war and seemed concerned for the well-being of his people.

Upon being reproached by an old woman for burdening his people with the maintenance of his Scottish troops, he lamented that without them, they would be at the mercy of their enemies who would be just as burdensome.

[citation needed] Bourke is rightly famous as the patron of The Book of the Burkes.

He died on 24 November 1580, and was succeeded, as Baron Ardenerie, by his son William.

[3][4] As Mac William Íochtar, he was succeeded by his cousin, Richard "the Iron" Bourke, 18th Mac William Íochtar (d.1583), the son of David de Búrca, 15th Mac William Íochtar.