O'Connor

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. History According to historian C. Thomas Cairney, the O'Connors of Corcomroe were from the Corco Modhruadh tribe who in turn were from the Erainn tribe who were the second wave of Celts to settle in Ireland from about 500 to 100 BC. Cairney also states that the O'Connors of Keenaght were from the Ciannachta tribe who in turn were from the Dumnonii or Laigin tribe who were the third wave of Celts to settle in Ireland during the first century BC. He also states that the O'Connors of Kerry were also from the Dumnonii or Laigin settlers and were chiefs of the Ciarraighe Luachra tribe. Also, that the O'Connors of Offaly also came from the Dumnonii or Laigin settlers and were chiefs of the Ui Failghe tribe. Cairney also stated that the O'Connor Dons were among the chiefly families of the Connachta tribe of the Uí Briúin whose Celtic ancestors had come to Ireland with the Gaels during the first century BC. 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.