Conchobhair Ó Briain

Who is Conchobhair Ó Briain?

Connor O'Brien, King of Thomond was the second to last King of Thomond.

Connor was the eldest surviving son of Turlogh-Donn inaugurated King of Thomond in 1498, and Raghnait, daughter of John MacNamara chief of the MacNamara clan.

In 1528, on the death of his father Connor was inaugurated King of Thomond and having reigned for 12 years he died in 1540. His eldest son Donough was a minor when his father died and Connor's brother Murrough gained the estates and title of King of Thomond under tanistry, or popular election whereby the estate and title were to descend, for life, to the eldest and worthiest man of the blood and name of him that died last.

Both parties appealed to Henry VIII and it was agreed that Murrough would become the 1st Earl of Thomond and upon his death the title would pass to Donough, on condition that both men recognised Henry as their lawful king, that they would give up their claims to be King of Thomond and that they would become Anglican. This arrangement was agreed, and with the death of Murrough the title of Earl passed to Donough. However on the death of Donough in 1551, the rights of his son, Connor, 3rd Earl of Thomond, to the title and estates was challenged by Donnell, his uncle and a brother of his father, who was inaugurated O'Brien and chief of the Dal Cais. Donnell appealed to Queen Mary to uphold his usurpation. After many years of family and civil strife Connor secured his position and lands in the late 1570s during the reign of Queen Elizabeth.