Hi,
I live in Liverpool and believe there is a lot of truth in what you say as I was also told by someone that my name derives from Hourihane but obviously someone has dropped the e! I was also told that my family name originates from O'Brien and believe that my family are also from County Cork in Southern Ireland.

I have not researched this further as i have never had the time but would be grateful if you have made progress with this? Maybe you could share your findings?