MacGurk (Magork, McGuirke), Brian (c.1622×35–1713), catholic priest, was born in Termonmagurk, Co. Tyrone. His background and early life remain obscure, but his family were apparently dispossessed under the Cromwellian regime. Ordained in 1660, possibly by Edmund O'Reilly (qv), archbishop of Armagh, MacGurk was probably educated in Ireland; his learning was later noted by Archbishop Oliver Plunkett (qv). He remained in his native parish, being appointed parish priest of Terman, Ballintacken, Ergill, and Aghaloo in 1670–71. In 1671 he was arrested and tried at Dungannon for exercising foreign jurisdiction, but was acquitted.
Intelligent and able, MacGurk rapidly made an impression on Plunkett, who recommended him for the post of dean of Armagh (22 June 1670); however, the date of the appointment remains unclear. In 1672 he was appointed vicar-general to Plunkett. Despite having registered his support for the Franciscans over the Dominicans in Plunkett's adjudication between the two orders, he was perceived as Plunkett's aide in the latter's attempts at clerical reform; he was later targeted by tories at the behest of the Franciscan Anthony Daly. He became vicar-general of Raphoe c.1673. Plunkett thought highly of MacGurk, who by October 1674 was in straitened circumstances, due to the government's repressive policy. In July 1676 Plunkett named him as a potential candidate for a bishopric, describing MacGurk as dean of Armagh; he had certainly been formally appointed by then. In 1677 he returned to Armagh from Raphoe, and was appointed vicar-general of Armagh. In August 1678 he attended the provincial synod of Ardpatrick as dean and vicar-general of Armagh. He signed its decrees, and was appointed to a commission to regulate the discipline of religious orders. However, in September 1678, with the onset of the ‘popish plot’, he was accused of treason by John MacMoyer (qv). While his arrest was ordered, he does not seem to have been apprehended at this time.
He succeeded Luke Plunkett as vicar-apostolic of Raphoe and Derry c.1680, successfully sidestepping the law by being elected by the clergy, changing the title of the post, and inviting magistrates to diocesan meetings. However, he became embroiled in the acrimonious disputes among the clergy in both Derry and Armagh. In January 1680 he assisted Plunkett in his dealings with Anthony Daly; the latter disliked MacGurk, claiming that he was generally detested by clergy and laity alike. In June 1680 he was again recommended for a bishopric by Plunkett. In January 1681 he was arrested on the orders of the viceroy, James Butler (qv), duke of Ormond, but later released; another warrant was subsequently issued. Often on the run, MacGurk was implicated in the allegations brought against Plunkett in 1681, being arrested again in December 1681 and imprisoned in Dungannon. Subsequently tried at Dungannon and Armagh assizes for exercising foreign jurisdiction, he was acquitted in both instances. In May 1682 he claimed to have Ormond's permission to operate in Ireland. Given the political climate at the time, this was queried by Ormond and refuted by his son Richard Butler (qv), earl of Arran, who demanded MacGurk's incarceration. Examined (June 1682) before John Skeffington (qv), 2nd Viscount Massareene, and Sir George Rawdon (qv), he refused to answer questions about his status as vicar-general. The case was dropped (the ‘popish plot’ scare had collapsed the previous year) and MacGurk was bailed, though he was arrested again briefly in 1683.
MacGurk remained at Derry until 1693, when he returned to Armagh. However, ongoing factional conflicts among the clergy saw him marginalised. He was arrested and acquitted again in 1697. In autumn 1712 he was arrested again near Armagh, being imprisoned there for five months. Elderly and infirm, MacGurk died in prison on 13 February 1713. While never appointed to a bishopric, he was one of numerous clergy of middle rank without whom the catholic church would have been unable to function. Despite his own involvement in clerical disputes, after Plunkett's execution MacGurk's abilities and seniority proved useful in maintaining cohesion among the divided northern clergy.