Ruaidhrí Ua Conchubair
- Born
- 1116-01-01 12:00:00
- Died
- 1198-01-01 12:00:00
- Gender
- Male
Ruaidhri Ua Conchubair aka Roderic O’Connor aka Rory O’Connor was the last High King of Ireland before the Anglo-Norman invasion/conquest of Ireland. He was King of Connacht from 1156 to 1186, and High King of Ireland from 1166 to 1193.
The last of Ruaidrí's descendants to hold the kingship of Connacht died in 1233.
Aed mac Ruaidri had been five years King of Connacht, as the poet said: 'Aed mac Ruaidri of the swift onslaught, five years his rule over the province, till he fell— a loss on every frontier— by the hand of Fedlimid.' Here ends the rule of the children of Ruaidri O Conchobair, King of Ireland. For the Pope offered him the title to [the kingship of] Ireland for himself and his seed for ever, and likewise six wives, if he would renounce the sin of adultery henceforth; and since he would not accept these terms God took the rule and sovranty from his seed for ever, in punishment for his sin. [Annals of Connacht]
Two of his descendants attempted to claim the High Kingship of Ireland:
- Brian Ua Néill (in 1258)
- Edward Bruce (in 1315)
However, the title of High King of Ireland remained vacant until claimed by Henry VIII in 1542.
PHOTO: This carved head in the grounds of Cong Abbey by Patrick Comerford (2013) is to represent Rory O’Connor, the last High King of Ireland.
