O'Conor

History

The O'Conor Don line in descent from Sir Hugh O'Conor, The O'Conor Don of Ballintubber Castle

• Sir Hugh O'Conor, The O'Conor Don of Ballintubber Castle. Member of Parliament from 1585-86 for Roscommon. Signed a Deed of Composition with Queen Elizabeth I. He was knighted by Lord Deputy Sir John Perrott, and was styled Lord of Connaught.
• * Calvach O'Conor, The O'Conor Don of Ballintubber Castle. He was a candidate for the representation of Roscommon in the parliament of 1613, but was defeated by Sir John King. In 1641 it was rumoured that he was to be made King of Connaught, and his castle of Ballintober was the centre of the Confederate party. In June 1642 Lord Ranelagh attacked him outside Ballintober and routed his army, but did not capture the castle. He was specially excepted from pardon in the act of parliament as to Ireland in 1652, and died in 1655, leaving two sons, Hugh and Charles. His widow, as a transplanted person, obtained, at Athlone on 8 June 1656, a decree granting her seven hundred acres out of about six thousand.
• ** Hugh O'Conor, The O'Conor Don of Ballintubber Castle. In 1641 he was appointed colonel in the Irish army, and at the siege of Castlecoote in 1642 was captured by Sir Charles Coote. He was examined in Dublin before Sir Robert Meredith, and described the origin of the rising in Connaught in 1641, and stated that he and Sir Lucas Dillon had been appointed to ask Lord Clanricarde to take the command of the army in Connaught. He was falsely accused of having murdered one Hugh Cumoghan, servant of Major Ormsby, but was not tried, and, after detention for a year, obtained his liberty, and in July 1652 was one of the Irish officers who entered into articles of surrender with the president of Connaught. In 1653 he was acquitted of the charge of murder, and went abroad and served as a captain in the Duke of Gloucester's regiment. After the Restoration he applied to be reinstated in his castle of Ballintober, co. Roscommon, and an estate of ten thousand acres. He died in 1669, before his claim had been decided.
• *** Hugh O'Conor, The O'Conor Don. The commissioners of claims adjudged eleven hundred acres out of ten thousand which his father possessed before he took up arms for the king.
• ** Charles O'Conor.
• * Hugh Og O'Conor of Castlerea. His Estates were confiscated by Cromwell's adventurers.
• ** General Daniel O'Conor of Castlerea. He followed Charles II into exile, and returned at the Restoration.
• *** Colonel Andrew O'Conor, The O'Conor Don of Clonalis
• **** Daniel O'Conor. An Ancestor of Charlotte O'Conor Eccles through his daughter Jane's elopement with the Protestant William Eccles.
• ***** Dominick O'Conor, The O'Conor Don of Clonalis
• ***** Alexander 'Sandy' O'Conor, The O'Conor Don of Clonalis.
• ***** Thomas O'Conor.
• ***** Brigadier General Sir Hugh O'Conor. Knight of Calatrava. He served in his Catholic Majesty the King of Spains Army. He was appointed Governor of Texas. He was the founder of the city of Tucson in Arizona. He was later appointed Governor of the Yucatan Peninsula, where he died.
• **** Sir Thomas O'Conor. He gained the rank of officer in the French Army. He fought in the Battle of Fontenoy in 1745, with King Louis XV's Irish Brigade having played a large part in bringing success. He was awarded the Chevalier, Order of St. Louis in 1745 for bravery.
• * Cathal O'Conor of Bellanagare.
• ** Major Owen O'Conor of Bellanagare. He fought against Cromwell. He mortgaged his estate for three troops of Cavalry for the Jacobite Cause. He was appointed the Governor of Athlone by James II. He died in Chester Prison in 1692.
• ** Charles og O'Conor
• *** Denis O'Conor of Bellanagare. He took legal action against the Government, claiming the had illegally confiscated his inheritance in the form of his uncle's lands. He was awarded only 900 acres of the original land belonging to his uncle. He was a patron of Turlough O'Carolan, who composed a work in his honour called "Donagh Cahill Oge". He composed a number of other pieces in honour of the O'Conor family. It is reported that O'Carolan once said I think, that when I am among the O'Conors, the harp has the old sound in it. O'Carolan taught Denis's son Charles how to play the harp and much of what we know of O'Carolan is through the diaries of Charles. When O'Carolan died he left his harp to the O'Conors. Which is on display at Clonalis House.
• **** Charles O'Conor of Bellanagre. A noted Antiquarian, Historian and Scholar. He was deeply imbued from youth in the native aristocratic literary and cultural tradition, yet his writings were clearly influenced by the Enlightenment and he was as familiar with the works of Locke, Hume, Montesquieu, Rousseau and Voltaire as he was with Gaelic lore. He was author of the highly influential Dissertations on the Ancient History of Ireland, first published in 1753. This was the first Irish history written in English by someone who had a command of the surviving Irish and colonial sources and who saw the past from an indigenous perspective. Its publication established O'Conor as the leading living expert on Ireland's history and antiquities. He is also credited with helping to generate an interest in Irish culture, history and antiquities among the Anglo-Irish establishment. He was a founder member in 1785 of the Royal Irish Academy. He also helped to foster a public awareness in English-speaking Ireland of the value of studying Irish, along with its associated poetry and folk-tales. As a Roman Catholic, O'Conor was affected for much of his life by the Penal Laws - which were intended to break the political power of Irish Catholics and were aimed in particular at the landowning class. Catholic gentry such as the O'Conors were denied access to careers in the army or law and could take no part in government at either national or local level. Many Catholic gentlemen had to go abroad to the Continent to further careers denied them at home.Given this background and his considerable intellectual powers, it is not surprising that O'Conor tried to advance the civil rights of Catholics marginalised by the Penal Laws. One of the most interesting features of his career was how his antiquarian and historical studies fuelled his political interests and his desire to see the laws eased or repealed. He started to write pamphlets advocating rights for Catholics from at least 1749 onwards. In 1756 he was one of the three founder members of the Catholic Committee, which tried to encourage the surviving Catholic gentry and clergy, as well as the emerging merchant class, to agitate peacefully against the Penal Laws. In many ways, the Catholic Committee was the beginning of the peaceful Catholic political activism that was to be so much a feature of nationalist politics in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
• ***** Denis O'Conor of Bellnagare. He was Deputy-Governor of Roscommon
• ****** Owen O'Conor, The O'Conor Don of Clonalis and Bellanagare, Inherited of The O'Conor Don on the death of his distant cousin Alexander 'Sandy' O'Conor, The O'Conor Don of Clonalis in 1820. First Catholic Member of Parliament for Roscommon from 1829 to 1831. since his ancestor Sir Hugh O'Conor, The O'Conor Don of Ballintubber Castle. A close friend, supporter and confidant of Daniel O'Connell.
• ******* Denis O'Conor, The O'Conor Don. Member of Parliament for Roscommon from 1831 to 1847. He became a Junior Lord of the Treasury in Lord John Russell's government.
• ******** Charles Owen O'Conor, The O'Conor Don. Member of Parliament for Roscommon from 1860 to 1880. He was High Sheriff of Sligo in 1863. He was High Sheriff of Roscommon in 1884.He wrote The O'Conor's of Connaught. Between 1896-1906 he held the position of Lord Lieutenant of Roscommon
• ********* Denis Charles Joseph O'Conor, The O'Conor Don. He was High Sheriff of Roscommon in 1898.
• ********* Owen Phelim O'Conor, O'Conor Don. He was High Sheriff of Roscommon in 1918.
• ********* Charles Hugh O'Conor of Lucan House, Co. Dublin. Between 1906 and 1917 held the position of Lord Lieutenant of Roscommon.
• ********** Rev. Charles Denis Mary Joseph Anthony O'Conor, The O'Conor Don. As he was a Jesuit Priest, the title was inherited by his second cousin Denis Armar O'Conor.
• ********* Roderick Joseph O'Conor.
• ******** Denis Maurice O'Conor. Member of Parliament for Sligo from 1868-1883. He was High Sheriff of Roscommon in 1864.
• ********* Charles William O'Conor.
• ********** Denis Armar O'Conor, The O'Conor Don. He inherited the title from his second cousin, the Rev. Charles O'Conor.
• *********** Desmond Roderic O'Conor, The O'Conor Don.
• ************ Phillip Hugh O'Conor.
• ************* Eochy Jack O'Conor.
• ************* Piers Montgomery O'Conor.
• ************* Barley Josh O'Conor.
• *********** Kieran Denis O'Conor.
• ************ Eoin Roderic O'Conor.
• ************ Hugh Armar O'Conor.
• *********** Rory Dominic O'Conor.
• ********** Roderic Charles O'Conor.
• *********** Brian O'Conor.
• ******* Edward O'Conor. Agent to his father and then to his brother.
• ****** Rev. Dr Charles O'Conor. A noted historian and Roman catholic priest. He was chaplain and librarian to the Marchioness of Buckingham at Stowe.
• ****** Denis O'Conor. He gained the rank of Lieutenant in the 13th Dragoons. He died in Jamaica.
• ****** Roderick O'Conor.
• ****** Matthew O'Conor of Mount Druid. A noted historian.
• ******* Denis O'Conor of Mount Druid
• ******** Charles Matthew O'Conor of Mount Druid.
• ******** Owen Denis O'Conor.
• ******** Denis A. O'Conor.
• ******* Arthur O'Conor of the Palace, Elphin
• ******** Arthur Matthew O'Conor of the Palace, Elphin.
• ******** Charles Matthew O'Conor.
• ******** Maurice Matthew O'Conor.
• ******* Martin O'Conor.
• ******* Owen O'Conor.
• ******* Matthew O'Conor.
• ***** Charles O'Conor of Mount Allen
• ****** Denis O'Conor
• ****** Thomas O'Conor. Joined the United Irishmen. After the failure of this rebellion he fled Ireland to America, where he and his brother Denis bought an estate in upstate New York. Following this he became a noted writer and journalist. Through his daughters marriage to Christian Shear Sloane, he is an ancestor of T. O'Conor Sloane and his sons, T. O’Conor Sloane, Jr. and John Eyre Sloane.
• ******* Charles O'Conor of New York. A Successful attorney in New York. He was the Bourbon Democrat nominee for the President of the United States of America.
• **** Daniel O'Conor. He served as an officer in the Royal French Army. He distinguished himself at the Battle of Fontenoy in 1745.
• **** Hugh O'Conor. Converted to Protestantism in order to claim his older brothers Charles's lands during the penal laws. However, he was unsuccessful, and converted back to Catholicism and was forgiven by his brother.
• **** Rev. Roger O'Conor. He was a Roman Catholic priest.
• **** Rev. Matthew O'Conor. He was a Roman Catholic Priest.
• * Bryan Roe O'Conor.In 1641 His lands were confiscated for his part in the Uprising against Cromwell.
• ** Roger O'Conor. In 1688 his lands were confiscated for his supporting King James II.
• *** Owen O'Conor.
• **** Roderic O'Conor.
• ***** Bernard O'Conor.
• ***** Thomas O'Conor.
• ****** Patrick O'Conor of Dun Dermott. He was High Sheriff of Roscommon in 1854.
• ******* Patrick Hugh O'Conor of Dundermot.. He was High Sheriff of Roscommon in 1860.
• ******* Roderick Thomas O'Conor. Died in a shooting accident.
• ******* Sir Nicholas Roderick O'Conor of Dun Dermott. He sold Dun Dermott. He was appointed Companion, Order of St. Michael and St. George in 1886. He was appointed Companion, Order of the Bath in 1886. He was Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to China between 1892 and 1895. He was appointed Knight Commander, Order of the Bath in 1895. He held the office of Justice of the Peace for County Galway. He held the office of Justice of the Peace for County Roscommon. He held the office of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Russia before 1896. He was appointed Privy Counsellor in 1896. He was appointed Knight Grand Cross, Order of St. Michael and St. George in 1896. He was appointed Knight Grand Cross, Order of the Bath in 1897. He held the office of Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire between 1898 and 1908.
• ****** Roderic O'Conor.
• ******* Thomas Roderick O'Conor
• ****** Thomas Nicholas O'Conor
• ***** Patrick O'Conor.
• **** Major Thomas O'Conor of Miltown He held the office of Justice of the Peace for County Roscommon. He gained the rank of Major in the French Service. He held the office of High Sheriff of Roscommon in 1767.
• ***** Roderic O'Conor of Miltown.
• ****** Dillon O'Conor.
• ****** Richard O'Conor.
• ****** Roderie O'Conor of Miltown. He held the office of High Sheriff of Roscommon in 1839.
• ******* Roderick Joseph O'Conor
• ******** Roderic Anthony O'Conor. A noted artist who was part of the Pont-Aven Movement.
• ******** Joseph Owen Edward O'Conor.
• ******* Alfred John O'Conor.
• ****** Aylward O'Conor.
• ******* Aylward Owen Blood O'Conor.
• ******** Aylward Robert O'Conor. He gained the rank of Captain in the British Army.
• ********* Lt.-Col. Roderic Aylward O'Conor. He fought in the Second World War. He gained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the Royal Artillery. He was awarded the Territorial Decoration.
• ********** Turlough Roderic Rosetti O'Conor.
• ******** Reverend William Owen O'Conor. Died in Mesopotamia.
• ******* Roderick O'Conor.
• ******* Bindon Blood O'Conor.
• ******* William Frederick O'Conor.
• ******* Dillon O'Conor.
• ***** Captain Owen O'Conor. He gained the rank of Captain in the British Army.

  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
• Hugh McOwen O'Conor 1293–1309
• Ruaidri Ó Conchobair 1309–1310
• Felim McHugh O'Connor 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 Don of Clonalis, 1794–1847
• Charles Owen O'Conor 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, 1912 – 10 July 2000
• Desmond O'Conor Don, b.1938

  Other notable members of the family

• Hugo Oconór
• Thomas O'Connor
• Sinéad O'Connor|
• Charles O'Conor
• Nicholas Roderick O'Conor
• Roderic O'Conor
• Charles O'Conor
• Charles O'Conor
• Matthew O'Conor
• Denis O'Conor
• Charles Owen O'Conor
• Denis Maurice O'Conor
• Denis O'Conor Don
• Raymond James O’Connor

  Footnotes

• https://web.archive.org/web/20101128140613/http://ria.ie/publications/journals/eriu/online-access/57-.aspx