ÓBríain Abú !

This page of The O'Brien Clan Home Page is designed to provide information about The O'Brien and his family line. We in the United States and in Ireland owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to The O'Brien for working so tirelessly to preserve our common heratige.

Although Irish clanship was nearly wiped from the collective memory of ordinary Irish men and women through centuries of oppression and Anglicization, elements of the old system of social organization somehow survived. In recent years, the far-flung chiefs of the old Irish clans have come together and through a number of programs sponsored by the Irish govenment, have worked to unite clanspeople in Ireland and abroad. The O'Brien has always been in the forefront of these efforts. The future of our clan looks very bright under the influence of The O'Brien, and we around the world pledge our loyality, our industry, and our creativity toward helping our brothers and sisters in Ireland re-establish the Clan O'Brien as one of the most powerful and dynamic forces in Gaeldom.

CONOR MYLES JOHN O’BRIEN

The O’Brien, Prince of Thomond, Chief of the Name, The 18th Baron Inchiquin, 10th Baronet of Leamaneh.

Conor Myles John O’Brien born in Surrey, England on 17th July 1943, the son of the youngest son of 15th Baron Inchiquin, The Hon. Fionn Myles Maryons O’Brien who married Josephine Bembaron in 1939. He has one sister, Fiona, who is married to Romano Obert de Thieusies. He became Chief and Peer on the death of his uncle Phaedrig, the 17th Baron on 20th May 1982. He lives on Dromoland Estate in Thomond House, which is next to Dromoland Castle. Dromoland Castle was the home of the O’Briens until 1962, when Bernard McDonough turned it into a luxury 5 star hotel, in 1963.

Conor was educated in England at Eton College, served in the British Army, 14th / 20th King’s Hussars in the Middle East, Far East and Europe from 1962 to 1975. He has lived and worked most of his life abroad, with 10 years spent in the Far East, Hong Kong and Singapore, running his own trading company for seven years, finally in Financial Services in Hong Kong before returning to live in Ireland in 1982. In 1988 he married Helen Farrell of Newtown Forbes, County Longford. They have two daughters, The Hon. Slaney O’Brien, born 1989 and The Hon. Lucia O’Brien born 1991.

The family run an exclusive guest house in their home Thomond House at Dromoland, as well as having turned Dromoland Estate into a major sporting and leisure centre. Activities include, driven pheasant shooting, stalking, fishing, horse riding, eventing, hunter trials, clay pigeon shooting, archery and other activities.

He is presently the Chairman Dromoland Development Company Limited and of an UK Development Company, Swift International Developments Limited.

Conor O’Brien, as Chairman of "The Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains", is another Chief who believes there is a place for him in modern Irish life.  He says, "with the tremendous interest in roots and Clans, the Irish Chiefs have a major role that they can play in the Gaelic and cultural heritage of Ireland and in helping the state authorities in the promotion of tourism through the medium of the Clan Associations and Clan Gatherings as well as ensuring that the country recognise the importance of the link between the old Gaelic culture and our modern day Republican culture.

Conor is also an advisor to the making of the film "The Lion of Ireland" based on the best seller historical novel by Morgan Llywelyn. It is hoped that this film will be made in the next two years and the script by William O’Brien is presently being considered by a number of well known film directors.

 Conor was responsible for the formation of the O’Brien Clan Association and the First Clan Gathering for 400 years in 1992. He has formed "The O’Brien Clan Foundation" worldwide and this was launched in the USA on 17th March 1998. The next Clan gathering will be in Ireland at the Brian Boru Millennium Festival, 2002 in Killaloe, Co. Clare, to commemorate the 1000th Anniversary of the accession of Brian Boru to the throne of Ireland.

His interests are in securing Dromoland Estate for the next generation, history, trees and wildlife as well as travel, skiing, shooting and motor cars. He is a member of the Kildare and University Club in Dublin.

Lineage

- This family, one of the few native Irish houses now to be found in the peerage, is descended in an unbroken male line from Brian Boru, Prince of Thomond (North Munster), and chief of the Dalgais. Brian Boru became Supreme Monarch of Ireland in 1002. Brian was slain in battle at the decisive victory of the Irish over the Danes at Clontarf, on Good Friday 23rd April 1014. To this king, from whom the family take their name, succeeded a long line of kings and princes, which came to an end as a reigning dynasty at the death of Conor, King of Thomond in 1528.

Creations

The Barony of Inchiquin was created at Grenwich in London on 1st July 1543, and the Baronetcy on 9th November 1686.

Arms

The Coat of Arms pictured above are the personal arms of the Baron of Inchiquin and is officially designated as such:

- quarterly: 1st and 4th, gu. three lions passant guardant in pale, per pale or and arg., for O'Brien; 2nd arg., three piles meeting in point issuing from the chief gu. 3rd, or, a pheon az.

Crest

- Issuing from a cloud, an arm embowed brandishing a sword arg., pommel and hilt or, Supporters - Two lions guardant per fesse or and arg.

Mottoes

- The Irish Motto is "Lamh Laidir in Uachtar," "The Strong hand Uppermost".

The French Motto added in the 18^th century is"Vigeur de Dessus"; " Strength from above".

Below is a Chart Detailing the Family Line of Sir Conor O'Brien, The O'Brien