The O'Conor dynasty (Middle Irish: Ó Conchobhair; Modern ) 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.Curley, W. Vanishing Kingdoms. Dublin. Lilliput Press.
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.
Descent from Conchobar mac Tadg, King of Connacht
Conchobar mac Tadg, King of Connacht and Eponym of the O'Conor's of Connacht. Cathal mac Conchobar mac Taidg O’Conor, King of Connacht. Dub Chablaigh O’Conor; she was a wife of Brian Boru. Tadg in Eich Gil O’Conor, King of Connacht. Áed in Gai Bernaig O’Conor, King of Connacht. Tadhg O’Conor (Slain in 1062). Ruaidrī na Saide Buide O’Conor, King of Connacht. Niall O'Conor (Killed in 1093). Tadc O’Conor, King of Connacht (Killed in 1097). Conchobhar O’Conor (Murdered in 1103). Domnall O’Conor, King of Connacht Turlough Mor O'Conor, High King of Ireland and King of Connacht; He had six wives and 26 children among them were: Conchobar O’Conor, King of Dublin & King of Meath (Killed at Bealach Muine-na-Siride, by Ua Dubhlaich, lord of Feara-Tulach in 1144) Brian Mainech O’Conor, (Killed at the battle of Ath na caisberna in 1159) Aedh “Dall” O’Conor Tommaltach O’Conor, Archbishop of Armagh (d. 1201) Ruaidhri O’Conor, Last High King of Ireland (d. 1198). He had at least 15 children among them were: Aed mac Ruaidrí O’Conor Rose O’Conor who married Hugh de Lacy, Lord of Meath Conchobar Maenmaige O’Conor, King of Connacht (died in 1202). Cathal Carragh O’Conor, King of Connacht (died 1202). Melaghlin O’Conor (died 1212). Mathghamhain mac Conchobar Maenmaige O’Conor (He was slain by Donnell O’More and the men of Leix in 1196). Muirchertach Tethbhach O’Conor (Killed in 1204). Donnchadh Conallagh O’Conor (Killed in 1207). Tadhg mac Conchobar Maenmaige O’Conor. Mael Seachlainn mac Conchobar Maenmaige O’Conor (He was slain in 1219). Aodh mac Conchobar Maenmaige O’Conor (He was an Irish Crusader and died on his return from the Holy Land in 1224). Diarmait O’Conor (Slain by Thomas Mac Uchtraigh as he was coming from Insi-Gall, whilst collecting a fleet for the purpose of acquiring the sovereignty of Connacht in 1221) Diarmait O’Conor (died 1237). Donnchad O’Conor (died 1237). Muirchertach O’Conor (died 1237). Cormac O’Conor. Muirghis Cananach O’Conor. Monk and noted Poet and Singer. (died in 1224) Aedh mac Ruaidri O’Conor, King of Connacht Conchobar O’Conor Toirdhealbhach mac Ruaidhrí O’Conor, King of Connacht Bean Mhídhe O’Conor married Maol Mhuire an Sparáin, son of Murchadh Mac Suibhne Conchobar Buide O’Conor Brian O’Conor Cathal Crobhdearg O'Conor, King of Connacht Aedh O'Conor, King of Connacht Cathal Dall O'Conor Aedh MacCathal O'Conor Ruaidri MacAedh O'Conor Eoghan mac Ruaidri Ó Conor Aedh O'Conor, King of Connacht Turlough O'Conor, King of Connacht (Ancestor of the O'Conor Don Sept) Felim O'Conor, King of Connacht (Ancestor of the O'Conor Roe Sept) Felim O'Conor, King of Connacht Aedh O'Conor, King of Connacht Aedh Muimnech O'Conor, King of Connacht Donnell Mor Mideach O’Conor Brian Breifne O'Conor Brian Luighnech O'Conor, Lord of Cairbre Drom Cliabh (Ancestor of The O’Conor Sligo). Maghnus O'Conor Muircheartach O'Conor Diarmaid O'Conor Manus O'Conor (Killed in 1237) Conchobhair O'Conor (Killed in 1279) Domnall O'Conor Riocaird O'Conor Mór O’Conor; married Tairdelbach O’Brian, King of Munster; Among their children was Domnall Mór O’Brien, King of Thomond. Murtogh Moynagh O'Conor (His line was known as Clan Murtagh O'Conor). Maghnus mac Muirchertaig O'Conor. Conchobair Ruadh mac Muirchertaig O’Conor. Cathal O’Conor, Abbot of Lough Key. Magnus O'Conor, King of Connacht. Tuathal mac Muirchertaig O’Conor. Toirrdelbach mac Muirchertaig. Máel Ísa O’Conor, Abbot of Roscommon. Brian O'Conor Conchobor O’Conor Tadhg O'Conor
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; married Mary O'Rourke daughter of Sir Sir Brian "Na Múrta" O'Rourke. Calvach O'Conor, O'Conor Don of Ballintubber Castle (1584–1655); married Hon. Mary Bourke daughter of Tibbot na Long Bourke, 1st Viscount Mayo. Hugh O'Conor, O'Conor Don of Ballintubber Castle (1617–1669); married his first cousin Isabella Burke daughter of Ulick Burke, Esq of Castle Hackett, Co. Galway. Hugh O'Conor, O'Conor Don; died unmarried. Charles O'Conor, O'Conor Don; died unmarried. Eleanor O'Conor; married Edward O'Mulloy son of William "Mor" O'Mulloy, The O'Mulloy of Urtaheera Hugh Og O'Conor of Castlerea; married Hon. Jane Dillon daughter of Theobald Dillon, 1st Viscount Dillon. General Daniel O'Conor of Castlerea; married Hon. Anne Bermingham daughter of Francis de Bermingham, 12th Baron Athenry. He served in the Spanish Army. Colonel Andrew O'Conor, O'Conor Don of Clonalis; married Honora Dowell daughter of Colonel Luke Dowell, Esq of Mantua House, Co. Roscommon. Daniel O'Conor, O'Conor Don; married Mary Ryan daughter of Captain Dominick Ryan of Dublin. Dominick O'Conor, O'Conor Don of Clonalis; married Catherine Lavinia O'Kelly daughter of Robert O'Kelly, Esq of Lisnaneane, Tulsk, Co. Roscommon, d.s.p. Alexander 'Sandy' O'Conor, O'Conor Don of Clonalis; died unmarried. Thomas O'Conor; died unmarried. Brigadier General Sir Hugh O'Conor; died unmarried in Mexico Jane O'Conor; eloped with her Protestant lover, William Eccles. She was the great-grandmother of Charlotte O'Conor Eccles. Elizabeth O'Conor; died unmarried. General Sir Thomas O'Conor. He was in the Irish Brigade; died unmarried. Roderick O'Conor; died young. Rev. Andrew O'Conor; Roman Catholic Priest. Eileen O'Conor; eloped with her lover, John O'Hanly of Kilgelfin, Co. Roscommon. Margaret O'Conor; married Francis Ryan Esq of Owney. Margaret O'Conor; married Teige O'Kelly son of Melaghlin O'Kelly Esq. Ayles O'Conor; married Melaghlin O'Kelly Esq. Cathal O'Conor of Bellanagare (1597–1634); married Anne O'Mulloy daughter of William "Mor" O'Mulloy, The O'Mulloy of Urtaheera. Major Owen O'Conor of Bellanagare (d. 1692); married Eleanor O'Ferrall daughter of Roger O'Ferrall, The O'Ferrall of Mornine Castle and the widow of Sir Oliver Tuite, 2nd Baronet of Sonna, Co. Westmeath. Mary O'Conor; married Richard Plunkett Esq Eleanor O'Conor; married Manus O'Cahan Esq Mary O'Conor; married John O'Gara son of Farrell O'Gara of Moygara, Co. Sligo; and were the parents of Sir Oliver O'Gara. Charles og O'Conor (d.1696); married Cecilia O'Flynn Daughter of Fiachra O'Flynn, The O'Flynn of Ballinlough, County Roscommon. Phelim O'Conor; died young Denis O'Conor of Bellanagare (b. 1674); married Mary O'Rourke daughter and heiress of Col. Tiernan O'Rourke, The O'Rourke (died in 1702 at the Battle of Luzzara) by his wife Isabella MacDonagh (see photo) daughter of Capt. Brian MacDonagh of Ballindoon Castle, Co. Sligo. Charles O'Conor of Bellanagre (1710–1791); married Catherine O'Hagan daughter of John O'Hagan Merchant of Boyle, County Roscommon. Denis O'Conor of Bellnagare (1732–1804); married Catherine Browne daughter of Martin Browne Esq of Cloonfad house, Co. Roscommon. Owen O'Conor, O'Conor Don of Clonalis and Bellanagare(1763–1831); married Jane Moore daughter of Edward Moore, eminent brewer of Mount Browne, Dublin. He 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); married his cousin Mary Blake daughter of Maj. Maurice Blake Esq of Towerhill house, Co. Mayo. Jane O'Conor; became a nun at Princethorpe Convent, Warwickshire. Kate O'Conor; became a nun at Princethorpe Convent, Warwickshire. Josephine O'Conor; became a nun at Princethorpe Convent, Warwickshire. Eugenia O'Conor; became a nun at Princethorpe Convent, Warwickshire. Dionysia O'Conor; became a nun at Princethorpe Convent, Warwickshire. Charles Owen O'Conor, O'Conor Don (1838–1906); married Georgina Perry daughter of Thomas Aloysius Perry Esq of Bitham house, Avon Dassett, Warwickshire, and had issue. Married secondly Ellen Letitia More-O'Ferrall daughter of John Lewis More-O'Ferrall, Esq of Lissard house, Co. Longford Denis Charles Joseph O'Conor, O'Conor Don(1860–1917); died unmarried. Owen Phelim O'Conor, O'Conor Don (1870–1943); married firstly Mary McLaughlin daughter of Francis Charles McLaughlin of Detroit, and had issue. He married secondly, his third cousin Gertrude Gwendoline O'Conor daughter of Charles Matthew O'Conor, Esq of Mount Druid house, Co. Roscommon, but had no issue. Hélène Françoise Marie O'Conor; married firstly Denys Herbert George Tollemache son of Leone Sextus Tollemache and had issue. She married secondly Ronald William Perry and had issue. Charles Hugh O'Conor of Lucan House, Co. Dublin (1872–1939); married his stepmothers niece also named Ellen Letitia More-O'Ferrall daughter of Edward More-O'Ferrall. Josephine Mary O'Conor; died unmarried. Fearga Mary O'Conor; married Vincent Harold Nash son of Sir Vincent Nash of Limerick, and had issue. Letitia Mary O'Conor; died unmarried. Honoria Mary O'Conor; died unmarried. Mary Ellen Julian O'Conor; married Sir Luke William Teeling, but had no issue. Rev. Charles Denis Mary Joseph Anthony O'Conor, O'Conor Don(1906–1981). As he was a Jesuit Priest, the title was inherited by his second cousin Denis Armar O'Conor. Gertrude Mia O'Conor; married G-Capt. Richard Rupert Nash son of Sir Vincent Nash of Limerick and had issue, including Pyres O'Conor-Nash, owner of Clonalis house. Eva Mary O'Conor; married Capt. Maurice de Lacy Staunton son of Peter Maurice Staunton and had issue. Helen Theresa O'Conor; married Malachi Sweetman and had issue. Georgina Mary O'Conor; married Austin Cathal Barry and had issue. Roderick Joseph O'Conor (1872–1878)l died young. Denis Maurice O'Conor (1840–1883); married Ellen Isabella Kevill-Davies daughter of Rev. William Trevelyan Kevill-Davies, Esq of Croft Castle, Herefordshire.