The O'Conor family (

Middle Irish Middle Irish, sometimes called Middle Gaelic ( ga, An Mheán-Ghaeilge, gd, Meadhan-Ghàidhlig), is the Goidelic language which was spoken in Ireland, most of Scotland and the Isle of Man from AD; it is therefore a contemporary of late Old Engl ...

: ''Ó Conchubhair''; Modern ga, Ó Conchúir) are an Irish noble house and were one of the most influential and distinguished royal houses 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 The Uí Briúin were a royal dynasty of Connacht. Their eponymous apical ancestor was Brión, son of Eochaid Mugmedon and Mongfind, and an elder half brother of Niall of the Nine Hostages. They formed part of the Connachta, along with the U ...

and

Síol Muireadaigh The Síol Muireadaigh or Síol Muireadhaigh (Anglicized as Sil Murray or Silmurray), was a leading sept of the Connachta group of Gaelic dynasties in medieval Ireland. The name Síol Muireadaigh was also used to refer to the territory occupied by ...

ruled

Connacht Connacht ( ; ga, Connachta or ), is one of the provinces of Ireland, in the west of Ireland. Until the ninth century it consisted of several independent major Gaelic kingdoms ( Uí Fiachrach, Uí Briúin, Uí Maine, Conmhaícne, and Del ...

on many occasions – but not continuously – between 482 and 956. The house of O'Conor also produced two

High Kings of Ireland High King of Ireland ( ga, Ardrí na hÉireann ) was a royal title in Gaelic Ireland held by those who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over all of Ireland. The title was held by historical kings and later sometimes assigned ana ...

Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair Toirdhealbhach Mór Ua Conchobhair (old spelling: Tairrdelbach Mór Ua Conchobair; 1088 – 1156) anglicised Turlough Mór O'Conor, was King of Connacht (1106–1156) and High King of Ireland (ca. 1120–1156). Family background and early life ...

and his son

Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair Ruaidrí mac Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair ( Modern Irish: Ruairí Ó Conchúir; anglicized as Rory O'Conor) ( – 2 December 1198) was King of Connacht from 1156 to 1186, and High King of Ireland from 1166 to 1198. He was the last High King o ...

, the last High King of Ireland. The family seat is Clonalis House outside

Castlerea Castlerea (; ) is the third largest town in County Roscommon, Ireland. It is located in the west of the county and had a population of 1,992 at the 2016 Census. Roughly translated from Irish, Castlerea is generally thought to mean 'brindled ca ...

in County Roscommon. The current O'Conor Don is Desmond O'Conor (b. 22 September 1938) who lives in Rotherfield, East Sussex in England.

History

The Ó Conor ''Don'' is the head of a lineage which provided about one hundred

Kings of Connacht The Kings of Connacht were rulers of the ''cóiced'' (variously translated as portion, fifth, province) of Connacht, which lies west of the River Shannon, Ireland. However, the name only became applied to it in the early medieval era, being name ...

, thirty

Chiefs of the Name The Chief of the Name, or in older English usage Captain of his Nation, is the recognised head of a family or clan (''fine'' in Irish and Scottish Gaelic). The term has sometimes been used as a title in Ireland and Scotland. In Ireland In Eliz ...

and two

(1088–1156), and his son

(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 This article concerns the Gaelic nobility of Ireland from ancient to modern times. It only partly overlaps with Chiefs of the Name because it excludes Scotland and other discussion. It is one of three groups of Irish nobility, the others being ...

followed

Brehon law Early Irish law, historically referred to as (English: Freeman-ism) or (English: Law of Freemen), also called Brehon law, comprised the statutes which governed everyday life in Early Medieval Ireland. They were partially eclipsed by the Norma ...

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 families power in

and in

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

Descent from Turlough Mor O'Conor, Monarch of Ireland

The O'Conor Don line

* Turlough O'Conor, King of Connacht ** Aedh O'Conor, King of Connacht *** Turlough O'Conor, King of Connacht **** Aedh O'Conor, King of Connacht ***** ''Ruaidhri O'Conor'' ****** ''Turlough O'Conor'' **** Felim Geanach O'Conor, The Last King of Connacht ***** '
Owen Ceach O'Conor, O'Conor Don
'' ****** '
Carbery O'Conor, O'Conor Don
'' ******* Dermot O'Conor, O'Conor Don ******** Sir Hugh O'Conor, O'Conor Don of Ballintubber Castle (1541-1632).

Member of Parliament A member of parliament (MP) is the representative in parliament of the people who live in their electoral district. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, this term refers only to members of the lower house since upper house members o ...

. ********* '
Calvach O'Conor, O'Conor Don
'' of Ballintubber Castle (1584–1655). ********** '
Hugh O'Conor, O'Conor Don
'' of Ballintubber Castle (1617–1669). *********** Hugh O'Conor, O'Conor Don. ********** Charles O'Conor, O'Conor Don ********* ''Hugh Og O'Conor'' of Castlerea. ********** ''General Daniel O'Conor'' of Castlerea. He served in the Spanish Army. *********** Colonel Andrew O'Conor, O'Conor Don of Clonalis ************ Daniel O'Conor, O'Conor Don. ************* Dominick O'Conor, O'Conor Don of Clonalis ************* Alexander 'Sandy' O'Conor, O'Conor Don of Clonalis. ************* ''Thomas O'Conor''. ************* '' Brigadier General Sir Hugh O'Conor''. ************ ''General Sir Thomas O'Conor''. He was in the Irish Brigade. ********* ''Cathal O'Conor'' of Bellanagare (1597–1634). ********** ''Major Owen O'Conor'' of Bellanagare (d. 1692). ********** ''Charles og O'Conor'' (d.1696) *********** ''Denis O'Conor'' of Bellanagare (b. 1674). ************ '' Charles O'Conor of Bellanagre'' (1710–1791). *************
Denis O'Conor
' of Bellnagare (1732–1804). ************** '
Owen O'Conor, O'Conor Don
'' of Clonalis and Bellanagare(1763–1831), Inherited the O'Conor Don on the death of his distant cousin Alexander 'Sandy' O'Conor, O'Conor Don of Clonalis in 1820. *************** Denis O'Conor, O'Conor Don (1794–1847). **************** Charles Owen O'Conor, O'Conor Don (1838–1906). ***************** Denis Charles Joseph O'Conor, O'Conor Don(1869–1917). ***************** Owen Phelim O'Conor, O'Conor Don (1870–1943). ***************** ''Charles Hugh O'Conor'' of Lucan House, Co. Dublin (1872–1939). ****************** Rev. Charles Denis Mary Joseph Anthony O'Conor, O'Conor Don(1906–1981). As he was a Jesuit

Priest A priest is a religious leader authorized to perform the sacred rituals of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and one or more deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in partic ...

, the title was inherited by his second cousin Denis Armar O'Conor. ***************** ''Roderick Joseph O'Conor'' (1872–1878). **************** ''

Denis Maurice O'Conor Denis Maurice O'Conor ( ga, Donnchadh Muirgheas Ó Conchubhair Donn; 1840 – 26 July 1883) was an Irish barrister and Liberal Party politician who represented County Sligo in the House of Commons. The second son of Denis O'Conor, O'Conor Don ...

'' (1840–1883). ***************** ''Charles William O'Conor'' (1878–1963). ****************** Denis Armar O'Conor, O'Conor Don (1912–2000). He inherited the title from his second cousin, the Rev. Charles O'Conor. ******************* Desmond Roderic O'Conor, O'Conor Don (born 1938). ******************** Phillip Hugh O'Conor (Born 1967). ********************* Eochy Jack O'Conor (Born 1993). ********************* Piers Montgomery O'Conor (Born 1995). ********************* Barley Josh O'Conor (Born 2006). ******************* Kieran Denis O'Conor (Born 1958). ******************** Eoin Roderic O'Conor (Born 1992). ******************** Hugh Armar O'Conor (Born 1996). ******************* Rory Dominic O'Conor (Born 1963). ****************** ''Roderic Charles O'Conor'' (1913–1985). ******************* Brian O'Conor (Born 1957). *************** ''Edward O'Conor''. Agent to his father and then to his brother. **************
Dr Charles O'Conor
'(1764–1828). ************** ''Denis O'Conor'' (b.1770). ************** ''Roderick O'Conor'' (b.1772). **************
Matthew O'Conor of Mount Druid
' (1773–1844). *************** ''Denis O'Conor of Mount Druid'' (d.1862) **************** ''Charles Matthew O'Conor of Mount Druid''. **************** ''Owen Denis O'Conor'' (b.1851). **************** ''Denis A. O'Conor'' (b.1853). *************** ''Arthur O'Conor of the Palace, Elphin'' (d.1870) **************** ''Arthur Matthew O'Conor of the Palace, Elphin'' (b.1855). **************** ''Charles Matthew O'Conor'' (b.1859). ****************''Major Maurice Matthew O'Conor''. **************** ''Martin O'Conor''. **************** ''Owen O'Conor''. **************** ''Matthew O'Conor''. *************
Charles O'Conor of Mount Allen
' (1736–1808) ************** ''Denis O'Conor'' *************
''Thomas O'Conor''
(d.1865). *************** '' Charles O'Conor of New York'' ************ ''Daniel O'Conor''. ************ ''Hugh O'Conor''. ************ ''Rev. Roger O'Conor''. He was a Roman Catholic priest. ************ ''Rev. Matthew O'Conor''. He was a Roman Catholic priest. ********* ''Bryan Roe O'Conor''. ********** ''Roger O'Conor''. *********** ''Owen O'Conor'' (d.1766). ************ ''Roderic O'Conor'' (d. 1781). ************* ''Bernard O'Conor''. *************''Thomas O'Conor''(d.1832). ************** ''Patrick O'Conor'' of Dun Dermott (d.1860). *************** ''Patrick Hugh O'Conor'' of Dundermot. (d.1877). ***************''Roderick Thomas O'Conor'' (1839-1858). Died in a shooting accident. ***************'' Sir Nicholas Roderick O'Conor'' of Dun Dermott (1843–1908). **************''Roderic O'Conor''(1791–1879). ***************''Thomas Roderick O'Conor'' (b.1849) **************''Thomas Nicholas O'Conor'' (b.1793) *************''Patrick O'Conor''. ************''Major Thomas O'Conor'' of Miltown. *************''Roderic O'Conor'' of Miltown. ************** ''Dillon O'Conor'' ************** ''Richard O'Conor''. ************** ''Roderic O'Conor'' of Miltown (1794-1868). ***************''Roderick Joseph O'Conor'' (1835-1893) **************** '' Roderic Anthony O'Conor'' (1860-1940). ****************''Joseph Owen Edward O'Conor''. ***************''Alfred John O'Conor''. ***************''Eugene O'Conor'' **************''Aylward O'Conor'' (1805–1877). ***************''Roderick O'Conor'' ***************''Bindon Blood O'Conor'' ***************''William Frederick O'Conor'' ***************''Dillon O'Conor'' ***************''Aylward Owen Blood O'Conor'' (1842–1911). ****************''Captain Aylward Robert O'Conor'' (1872–1952). *****************''Lt.-Colonel Roderic Aylward O'Conor'' (1910–2003). ****************** Turlough Roderic Rosetti O'Conor (b. 1937) ****************''Reverend William Owen O'Conor'' (1878–1919). *************''Captain Owen O'Conor''. ************''Rev. Bernard O'Conor''

The O'Conor Roe line

* Felim MacHugh O'Conor, King of Connacht (died 1316) **Hugh O'Conor, O'Conor Roe(died 1368) ***''Owen Finn O'Conor'' (d.1362) ***''Felim Cleireach O'Conor'' ***Turlough Roe O'Conor, O'Conor Roe (died 1425) ****'
Teige O'Conor, O'Conor Roe
''(died 1464) *****''Turlough O'Conor''(d.1452) *****''Dermot Roe O'Conor''(d.1446) ******''Rory O'Conor''(d.1468) ******''Teige O'Conor''(d.1478) *****''Conor O'Conor''(d.1466) *****'
Felim Finn O'Conor, O'Conor Roe
''(died 1490) ******Hugh O'Conor, O'Conor Roe(died 1503) *******Carbry O'Conor, O'Conor Roe ******''Turlough O'Conor''(d.1489) *******''Teige O'Conor''(d.1502) ******''Con O'Conor''(d.1493) *******''Brian O'Conor''(d.1489) *******''Hugh O'Conor'' *****''Brian Duv O'Conor''(d.1466) ******''Dermot O'Conor''(d.1489) ****''Donagh Dubhshuileach O'Conor'' ****''Cathal Duv O'Conor'' *****''Rory O'Conor'' ******''Owen O'Conor''(d.1466) ******''Hugh Duv O'Conor'' (d.1466) *****
Cathal Roe O'Conor
'(d.1451) ******'
Teige Buidh O'Conor, O'Conor Roe
''(died 1534) *******''Calvagh O'Conor of Cloonakilly'' ********''Brian Ballagh O'Conor'' ********''Teige O'Conor'' *********''Hugh O'Conor'' **********''Teige O'Conor'' (d.1693) **********''Charles O'Conor'' (d.1692 in

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...

) *******'
Turlough O'Conor, O'Conor Roe
'' ********Hugh O'Conor, O'Conor Roe ********Charles O'Conor, O'Conor Roe *********Hugh O'Conor, O'Conor Roe **********Roger O'Conor, O'Conor Roe He was the Governor of

Civitavecchia Civitavecchia (; meaning "ancient town") is a city and ''comune'' of the Metropolitan City of Rome in the central Italian region of Lazio. A sea port on the Tyrrhenian Sea, it is located west-north-west of Rome. The harbour is formed by two pier ...

. He was Living in 1734. After his death the title of O'Conor Roe became extinct. *******''Roderic O'Conor''(d.1552) *******'
Teige O'Conor, O'Conor Roe
'' (died 1592) ********''Teige Boy O'Conor''(d.1588) *********''Charles O'Conor'' ********''Donagh O'Conor''(d.1631) *********''Dermot O'Conor'' *****''Brian O'Conor'' ******''Teige O'Conor''(d.1466) ******''Brian Oge O'Conor''(d.1482) ****''Hugh O'Conor'' *****''Rory O'Conor'' ***''Brian Balagh O'Conor''(d.1418) ****''Brian O'Conor''(d.1487)'' *****''Teige O'Conor''(d.1466) *****''Hugh O'Conor''(d.1484) ****''Turlough Roe O'Conor''(d.1452) *****''Turlough O'Conor''(d.1478) ******''Rory O'Conor''(d.1492) *****''Felim O'Conor''(d.1468) ****''Donagh O'Conor''(d.1478) *****''Teige O'Conor''(d.1467) *****''Hugh Duv O'Conor''(d.1467) ****''Rory O'Conor''(d.1485) *****''Cathal O'Conor''(d.1488) *****''Hugh O'Conor''(d.1481) ******''Carbry O'Conor''(d.1474) *******''Calvagh O'Conor''(d.1497) *******''Teige Roe O'Conor''(d.1497)

Key figures

Kings of Connacht

Conchobar mac Taidg Mór Conchobar mac Taidg Mór (died 882) was a King of Connacht from the Uí Briúin branch of the Connachta. He was the grandson of Muirgius mac Tommaltaig (died 815), a previous king. His father Tadg Mór (died 810) had been slain fighting in Muirgi ...

872–882 * Áed mac Conchobair 882–888 * Tadg mac Conchobair 888–900 *

Cathal mac Conchobair Cathal mac Conchobair (died 925) was King of Connacht. Family background Cathal was the third son of Conchobar mac Taidg Mór (died 882) to rule Connacht, following his older brother Áed mac Conchobair (died 888) and youngest brother Tadg mac ...

900–925 * Tadg mac Cathail 925–956 *

Conchobar mac Tadg Conchobar mac Tadg, King of Connacht 967–973 and eponym of the O'Conor family of Connacht. Biography A son of Tadc ''in Túir'' (of the tower), Conchobar's father died in 956 as king of Connacht, but his sept of the Síol Muireadaigh were s ...

967–973 *

Cathal mac Tadg Cathal mac Tadg was King of Connacht, 973. Cathal only briefly succeeded his brother. Murchadh Glunillar ua Flaithbheartach, King of Aileach, invaded Connacht and gave battle to Cathal at Ceis Corran. Cathal was killed as were some of his prime v ...

d. 973 * Cathal mac Conchobar mac Taidg 973–1010 *

Ruaidrí na Saide Buide Rory is a given name of Gaelic origin. It is an anglicisation of the ga, Ruairí/''Ruaidhrí'' and gd, Ruairidh and is common to the Irish, Highland Scots and their diasporas. for the given name "Rory". The meaning of the name is "red king", ...

1087–1092 * Tadg mac Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair d. 1097 * Domnall Ua Conchobair 1102–1106 *

1106–1156 *

1156–1186 * Conchobar Máenmaige Ua Conchobhair 1186–1189 * Cathal Carragh Ua Conchobhair 1190–1202 * Cathal Crobderg Ua Conchobair 1202–1224 *

Aedh Ua Conchobair Aedh mac Cathal Crobdearg Ua Conchobair (reigned 1224–1228) was King of Connacht with opposition alongside his uncle Toirdhealbhach mac Ruaidhrí Ó Conchobhair. Aedh succeeded his father Cathal Crobhdearg upon his death in 1224 but struggle ...

1224–1228 * Aedh mac Ruaidri Ua Conchobair 1228–1233 *

Felim mac Cathal Crobderg Ua Conchobair Felim O'Connor (Irish: ''Feidlim Ua Conchobair'') was king of Connacht in Ireland, having been proclaimed king by Richard Mór de Burgh in 1230, he reigned proper from 1233 until 1265. Felim died in that year and was buried in the Dominican Prior ...

1233–1256 * Aedh Ó Conchobair 1256–1274 * Murtogh Moynagh O'Conor 1274–1280 * Magnus O'Conor 1288–1293 * Hugh McOwen O'Conor 1293–1309 * Ruaidri Ó Conchobair 1309–1310 *

Felim McHugh O'Connor Felim McHugh O'Connor ( Irish: ''Feidhlimid mac Aedh Ó Conchobair'', 1293–1316) was king of Connacht in Ireland from January 1310 to 10 August 1316. The beginning of his kingship saw a revival in the ancient form of inauguration performed for ...

1310–1316 * Rory na-bhFeadh Ó Conchobair 1316–1317 * Toirdelbach Ó Conchobair first reign 1317–1318 second reign, 1324–1350 * Cathal mac Domhnall Ó Conchobair 1318–1324 * Hugh McHugh Breifne O'Conor 1342; died 1350 * Aedh mac Tairdelbach Ó Conchobair * Ruaidri mac Tairdelbach Ó Conchobair 1368–1384

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 * Dominick O'Connor Don of Clonalis, d. 1795 * Alexander O'Connor Don, d. 1820 * Owen O'Connor Don of Clonalis and Ballinagare, d.1831 *

Denis O'Conor Denis O'Conor, O'Conor Don ( ga, Donnchadh Ó Conchubhair Donn; 1794–1847) of Clonalis, County Roscommon, was an Irish nobleman, and Member of Parliament (MP) in the British House of Commons. Early life and family He was born in May 1794 t ...

Don of Clonalis, 1794–1847 *

Charles Owen O'Conor Charles Owen O'Conor, O'Conor Don PC ( ga, Cathal Eóghan Ó Conchubhair Donn; 7 May 1838 – 30 June 1906),John P. McCarthyIreland: A Reference Guide from the Renaissance to the Present p. 379 was an Irish politician Life The eldest son of Den ...

Don, 1838–1906 * Denis Charles O'Conor Don, 1869–1917 * Owen Phelim O'Conor Don, 1870–1943 * Fr. Charles O'Conor Don, 1906–1981 *

Denis O'Conor Don Denis Armar O'Conor, O'Conor Don ( ga, Donnchadh Ó Conchubhair Donn; 1912–10 July 2000) was hereditary Chief of the Name O'Conor, and is a direct descendant of Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair, the last High King of Ireland with a surviving male- ...

, 1912 – 10 July 2000 * Desmond O'Conor Don (Former Chairman of the British-Chile Chamber of Commerce, former banker, resides in Sussex), b.1938

Other notable members of the family

Hugo Oconór Hugh O'Conor by birth or Hugo Oconór in Spanish, was a military governor of northern Mexico. He was appointed governor of Texas by the Spanish viceroy of New Spain in 1767. It is recorded that O'Conor rode well over on horseback in the course o ...

(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) Charles O'Conor ( ga, Cathal Ó Conchubhair Donn; 1764–1828) was an Irish priest and historical author. He was chaplain and librarian to the Marchioness of Buckingham and catalogued many manuscripts, including the famous Stowe Missal, now in ...

(Priest and historical author) * Matthew O'Conor (Historian) *

(Politician) *

(Prior Chief of the Name O'Conor, died 10 July 2000)

References

Footnotes

* https://web.archive.org/web/20101128140613/http://ria.ie/publications/journals/eriu/online-access/57-(2007).aspx

Bibliography

* * O'Connor, Roderic
A Historical and Genealogical Memoir of the O'Connors, Kings of Connaught, and their Descendants
Dublin: McGlashan & Gill. 1861. * O'Donovan, John and the Rt. Hon. Charles Owen O'Conor Don
The O'Conors of Connaught: An Historical Memoir
Dublin: Hodges, Figgis, and Co. 1891

External links

O'Connor family pedigree
at Library Ireland {{DEFAULTSORT:O Conchubhair Donn Irish royal families O'Conor dynasty Irish medical families