O'Conor dynasty

O'Conor
Ó Conchobhair
Parent houseUí Briúin Ai / Síl Muiredaig
CountryIreland
FoundedAD 75[1]
FounderConchobar mac Taidg Mór
Current headDesmond O'Conor, O'Conor Don
Final rulerFedlim Geancach Ó Conchobair
Titles
Estate(s)

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.[2]

  1. ^ O'Donovan, John (1891). The O'Conors of Connaught: An Historical Memoir. Dublin: Hodges, Figgis, and Co. p. 4.
  2. ^ Curley, W. Vanishing Kingdoms. Dublin. Lilliput Press.