Connor O'Brien, 3rd Earl of Thomond facts for kids

Connor O'Brien, 3rd Earl of Thomond, also known as Conor or Groibleach (meaning "long-nailed"), was an important Irish leader. He was born in 1535 and died in 1581. Connor spent many years fighting his uncle, Donnell, for control of his family's lands and title.

In 1558, the English leader in Ireland, Lord Deputy of Ireland, officially recognized Connor as the 3rd Earl of Thomond. Later, Connor got involved in a rebellion in 1569 and had to escape to France. He was pardoned in 1571 and got his lands back in 1573 after the rebellion ended.

Connor's Early Life and Family

Connor O'Brien was born in 1535. He was the oldest son of Donogh O'Brien and Helen Butler. His father, Donogh, was the 2nd Earl of Thomond. He became earl through an agreement after his uncle, Murrough, the 1st Earl, passed away.

Connor's father's family, the O'Briens, were a famous Irish family. They were descendants of Brian Boru, a powerful high king of Ireland from long ago.

His mother, Helen Butler, was the youngest daughter of Piers Butler, 8th Earl of Ormond. Her family, the Butlers, were an Old English family. They came from Theobald Walter, who was appointed Chief Butler of Ireland by King Henry II in 1177.

The Fight for the Title

When Connor's father died in 1553, Connor should have become the 3rd Earl of Thomond. This was according to English law, which said the oldest son inherits everything (called primogeniture). However, Connor was only 18. If he became earl, his lands would have been controlled by the English Crown until he was older.

To avoid this, Connor's father named his uncle, Donnell, as his successor under Irish law (called tanist). Donnell became the chief of the O'Brien family, but he was never officially recognized as the Earl by the English. Connor was still considered the 3rd Earl.

Connor had to leave his family home, Clonroad Castle, near Ennis. He moved to Doonmulvihill Castle. But Donnell followed him and attacked. Connor was saved by his cousin, Thomas Butler, 10th Earl of Ormond.

Donnell tried to get official recognition as chief, but the English wouldn't grant it. Things stayed uncertain until 1558. Then, the Earl of Sussex arrived with a large army. He declared Donnell and other relatives as traitors. Connor was then given back his lands and title. Donnell escaped, and other relatives found protection with the Earl of Desmond.

Connor's Marriages and Children

First Marriage

Connor's first marriage was to Evelyn, also known as Ellen. She was the daughter of Donal MacCarthy. They married in 1559, but she died in 1560 and had no children. She was buried at Muckross Abbey.

Second Marriage and Children

After his first wife died in 1560, Connor married Una. She was the daughter of Turlough O'Brien-Arra.

Connor and Una had three sons and three daughters:

• Sons:
  • Donogh (died 1624), who became the 4th Earl of Thomond after his father.
  • Teige (died around 1642), who lived at Dromore Castle. He married twice.
  • Daniel (died 1663), who was later made the 1st Viscount Clare.
  • Hugh
• Daughters:
  • Mary, who married Turlough Roe MacMahon.
  • Margaret, who was the second wife of James Butler, the 2nd Lord Dunboyne.
  • Honora, who was the first wife of Thomas Fitzmaurice, 18th Lord Kerry.

More Family Disputes

For a short time, there was peace, and Connor was praised for his fair judgments. But in 1559, his uncles Teige and Donnell returned. They not only challenged Connor but, with help from the Earl of Desmond, defeated Connor and his ally at the Battle of Spancel Hill.

Teige was arrested and put in Dublin Castle, but he escaped in 1562. He joined Donnell, and they formed a strong army against Connor. With help from the English, Connor managed to take back some castles. Finally, in 1565, Donnell agreed to give up his claim to the lordship of Thomond in exchange for some land.

However, war started again the next year. Both sides were tired of fighting. In 1567, an English official noted that the area was very poor because Connor was not able to control it well.

The First Desmond Rebellion

Connor felt mistreated by the English, which made him unhappy. On July 8, 1569, he joined forces with fitz Maurice, who was considered a rebel. In February 1570, Connor attacked an English official, Sir Edward Fitton, at Ennis. Fitton had to flee to Galway.

A strong English force was sent against Connor. A few weeks later, he surrendered. But Connor regretted giving up and decided he would not surrender to English law. In June, he escaped to France.

In Paris, Connor met the English ambassador, Sir Henry Norris, 1st Baron Norreys. Connor claimed he was loyal and asked the ambassador to help him get a pardon from Queen Elizabeth. The ambassador thought Connor was a "barbarous man" but realized he was also talking with the French court. He urged Queen Elizabeth to get Connor to return to Ireland.

Queen Elizabeth didn't think Connor was very important, but she knew he could cause trouble. She promised to listen to his complaints if he came back. Connor didn't want to leave Paris, so the ambassador had to lend him money and make many promises before he agreed to go.

Later Life and Death

Connor returned to Ireland in December 1570. He admitted his actions were wrong to Sir Henry Sidney, another English leader. He was pardoned in April 1571. He gave his lands to the Queen and asked for them back.

However, because of another rebellion, he was needed in Ireland. He gained the approval of the English leaders, and his lands were likely given back to him in June 1573. In 1575, he met with Sir Henry Sidney again. To stop the fighting between Connor and Teige, Sidney made them agree to give up their lands. He also appointed Donnell, now called Sir Donnell O'Brien, as the sheriff of the new county of Clare.

Connor was not happy with this arrangement, even though he agreed to it. He was said to have regretted accepting the Queen's mercy. The disputes between him and Teige continued. In 1577, the county was put under military rule. Connor then traveled to England. On October 7, he received a new official document that confirmed his rights to his lands. This document also stated that his son, Donough, would inherit them.

Connor returned to Ireland around Christmas. Before he arrived, the English had placed a heavy tax on his people. This was the first time the O'Brien family had to pay such a tax. However, Connor seemed to get along well with the new English president of Connaught.

Connor O'Brien died in early 1581 when he was 45 years old. He was buried at Ennis Friary. His oldest son, Donough, became the 4th Earl of Thomond.