The O'Conor dynasty (Middle Irish: Ó Conchobhair; Modern Irish: Ó Conchúir) are an Irish noble dynasty and formerly one of the most influential and distinguished royal dynasties in Ireland. The O'Conor family held the throne of the Kingdom of Connacht up until 1475. Having ruled it on and off since 967, they ruled continuously from 1102 to 1475. Moreover, the O'Conor parent house the Uí Briúin and Síol Muireadaigh ruled Connacht on many occasions – but not continuously – between 482 and 956. The house of O'Conor also produced two High Kings of Ireland, Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair and his son Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, the last High King of Ireland. The family seat is Clonalis House outside Castlerea in County Roscommon.
The current O'Conor Don is Desmond O'Conor (b. 22 September 1938) who lives in Rotherfield, East Sussex in England.
Contents
History
The Ó Conor Don is the head of a lineage which provided about one hundred Kings of Connacht, thirty Chiefs of the Name and two High Kings of Ireland, Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair (1088–1156), and his son Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair (c. 1115–1198), the last High King.
During the late 14th century, the Ó Conor dynasty was grouped into two main divisions, one led by Toirdhealbhach Óg Donn Ó Conchobair, the other by Felim MacAedh Ó Conchobair. From these descended the families of Ó Conchubhair Donn anglicized as O'Conor Don and Ó Conchubhair Ruadh anglicized as O'Conor Roe (now extinct). The O'Conor family like all Gaelic Nobility followed Brehon law system up until the 16th century. Therefore, they did not follow primogeniture. The Kings, or Chiefs of the O'Conor family would be elected by a close kinship group. This did frequently result in bitter feuds and lead to civil wars within the Kingdom, therefore at times dramatically weakening the family's power in Connacht and in Ireland.
Key figures
Kings of Connacht
Conchobar mac Taidg Mór 872–882
Áed mac Conchobair 882–888
Tadg mac Conchobair 888–900
Cathal mac Conchobair 900–925
Tadg mac Cathail 925–956
Conchobar mac Tadg 967–973
Cathal mac Tadg d. 973
Cathal mac Conchobar mac Taidg 973–1010
Ruaidrí na Saide Buide 1087–1092
Tadg mac Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair d. 1097
Domnall Ua Conchobair 1102–1106
Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair 1106–1156
Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair 1156–1186
Conchobar Máenmaige Ua Conchobhair 1186–1189
Cathal Carragh Ua Conchobhair 1190–1202
Cathal Crobderg Ua Conchobair 1202–1224
Aedh Ua Conchobair 1224–1228
Aedh mac Ruaidri Ua Conchobair 1228–1233
Felim mac Cathal Crobderg Ua Conchobair 1233–1256
Aedh Ó Conchobair 1256–1274
Murtogh Moynagh O'Conor 1274–1280
Magnus O'Conor 1288–1293
Chiefs of the name
Toirdhealbhach Óg Donn mac Aodha meic Toirdhealbhaigh, d. 9 December 1406.
Cathal mac Ruaidhri Ó Conchobhair Donn, d. 19 March 1439.
Aodh mac Toirdhealbhaigh Óig Ó Conchobhair Donn, d. 15 May 1461.
Feidhlimidh Geangcach mac Toirdhealbhaigh Óig Ó Conchobhair Donn, d. 1474 – last fully recognised King of Connacht.
Tadhg mac Eoghain Ó Conchobhair Donn, d. 1476.
Eoghan Caoch mac Feidhlimidh Gheangcaigh Ó Conchobhair Donn, d. 1485.
Aodh Og mac Aodh Ó Conchobhair Donn
Toirdhealbhach Óg mac Ruaidhri Ó Conchobhair Donn, d. 1503
Conchobhar mac Eoghain Chaoich Ó Conchobhair Donn
Cairbre mac Eoghain Chaoich Ó Conchobhair Donn, d. 1546
Aodh mac Eoghain Chaoich Ó Conchobhair Donn, deposed 1550
Diarmaid mac Cairbre Ó Conchobhair Donn, d. 1585
Sir Hugh/Aedh Ó Conchobhair Donn, d. 1632
An Calbhach mac Aedh Ó Conchobhair Donn, d. 1654 – popularly inaugurated king in 1643.
Hugh Óg mac Aedh Ó Conchobhair Donn, d. 1662.
Andrew O'Connor Don of Clonalis
Other notable members of the family
Hugo Oconór (Spanish Army Officer and Governor of Texas)
Thomas O'Connor (Writer)
Charles O'Conor (Irish American Lawyer and Politician)
Nicholas Roderick O'Conor (British diplomat)
Roderic O'Conor (Artist)
Charles O'Conor (historian) (Historian)
Charles O'Conor (priest) (Priest and historical author)
Matthew O'Conor (Historian)
Denis O'Conor (Politician)
Charles Owen O'Conor (Politician)
Denis Maurice O'Conor (Politician)
Denis O'Conor Don (Prior Chief of the Name O'Conor, died 10 July 2000)