Denis O'Conor Don facts for kids

Denis Armar O'Conor, known as the O'Conor Don, was a very important person in Irish history. He was the hereditary Chief of the O'Conor family, which means he was the leader of a very old and respected Irish family. He was a direct descendant of Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair, who was one of the last High Kings of Ireland. Some people even saw him as a symbolic claimant to that ancient position.

Growing Up

Denis Armar O'Conor was born in London in January 1912. His father, Charles William O'Conor, came from a family with deep roots in Ireland. His mother, Evelyn Lowry-Corry, also had important family connections. Young Denis was very bright. He won a special scholarship to Downside School, a well-known school. While there, he showed his strength and leadership by becoming the captain of the school's boxing team.

Life in the Army

In 1930, Denis went to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, a famous military college. He continued to enjoy boxing there. He was also very good at horsemanship, which he learned from his father. He practiced his riding skills while hunting in both Ireland and Herefordshire.

In 1931, Denis became an officer in the Lincolnshire Regiment. He served in places like India and China. His time in India was exciting. He got to hunt, play polo, and go pig-sticking (a type of hunting). He was an excellent polo player, one of the best in India and China. He even played against the American army in the Philippines. In China, he owned and trained horses. One of his horses, named Kilrea, won many races in Hong Kong. He really enjoyed his time serving in the East.

During the Second World War, O'Conor fought in the Battle of Dunkirk. This was a very important battle early in the war. Later, he had a training accident with a grenade. Because of this, he didn't see any more direct fighting. However, he continued to serve the military by training other soldiers and helping with important administrative tasks. He retired from the army in 1946 with the rank of Major. After leaving the military, he moved to Roundwood, County Wicklow, in Ireland. His father had bought a farm there.

Life After the Army

Denis didn't stay a farmer for long. He became a salesperson for a company that sold tractors to farmers. Later, he worked as an inspector for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. This shows his love for animals.

Throughout his life, Denis loved outdoor sports, especially those involving dogs. He hunted with different types of hounds, including foxhounds, beagles, Otterhounds, and Basset Hounds. He was even a former leader (called a Master) of the Delgany Beagles. He became a well-known expert on all kinds of hounds. People often asked him to judge dog shows in Ireland and sometimes in England. His deep love for dogs and his special way with them were famous. In the early 1970s, he moved to Dún Laoghaire in Dublin.

Becoming the O'Conor Don

In 1981, Denis became the O'Conor Don. This happened after his second cousin, Father Charles O'Conor, passed away. Father Charles was a priest and didn't use the title much. But Denis was very proud to take on the title of O'Conor Don. He enjoyed all the special things that came with being the head of such an old and important family. However, he did not inherit the family's historic home, Clonalis House.

Denis used his position to help people learn about Irish history and heritage. He became the chairman of several historical and family history groups. He was often seen leading community events and even helped promote tourism in Ireland. He was a founding member of the Council of Irish Chieftains. This group is made up of descendants of the few royal Irish families whose history has been officially confirmed. He became president of the Dún Laoghaire Genealogical Society in 1991. He also became President of the Genealogical Society of Ireland in 1999. He was also a deputy chairman of the Standing Council of Irish Chiefs and Chieftains.

Family Life

Denis O'Conor was married twice. In 1936, he married Elizabeth Marris. They had one son:

• Desmond Roderic O'Conor (born 1938) became a banker. He married Virginia Williams in 1964.

In 1943, Denis married Rosemary O'Connell-Hewett. Rosemary was a direct descendant of Daniel O'Connell, a very important Irish leader from the 1800s. Denis and Rosemary had three children:

• Gail O'Conor (1943–1957), who sadly passed away at age thirteen.
• Kieran Denis O'Conor (born 1958) is a senior lecturer in Archaeology at NUI Galway. He married Karena Mary Morton in 1988.
• Rory Dominic O'Conor (born 1963) married Cecilia Emily Gleeson in 1999.

Denis O'Conor was also involved with the Oecumenical Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem. This group helps people suffering from leprosy. He also spent time teaching disabled children how to ride horses, showing his kind and caring nature.

Denis O'Conor, the O'Conor Don, passed away on July 10, 2000, at the age of 88. He was buried in the family plot in Castlerea graveyard, near the old family estate. His oldest son, Desmond, became the next O'Conor Don.

Connection to a High King

Denis O'Conor Don was a direct descendant of Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair, who was a High King of Ireland. This means his family line goes back many centuries to ancient Irish royalty. Here are some of the important ancestors in his family line:

• Denis O'Conor Don
• Charles William O'Conor
• Denis Maurice O'Conor
• Denis O'Conor Don
• Charles O'Conor
• Fedlim Geancach Ó Conchobair Donn, a King of Connacht
• Toirdhealbhach Óg Donn Ó Conchobair, a King of Connacht
• Aedh mac Tairdelbach Ó Conchobair, a King of Connacht
• Toirdelbach Ó Conchobair, a King of Connacht
• Hugh O'Conor, a King of Connacht
• Cathal Crobhdearg O'Conor, a King of Connacht
• Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair, a King of Connacht and High King of Ireland

Awards and Honors

• Order of Saint Lazarus (statuted 1910)