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Clonalis House
Castlrea
Roscommon
Ireland
Phone & Fax:
(+353) 94 9620014

Historic House with Guest Lodgings in Ireland

Clonalis House is one of Ireland's most important Historic Houses with a long and interesting heritage. Guest Lodgings at Clonalis are provided either in the main house, with a choice of beautifully furnished ensuite bedrooms or in one of the self-catering cottages in the courtyard. Experience the unique atmosphere of this family home where the O'Conor Family share their distinguished heritage with guests.

Ten facts about Clonalis

1. During the first World War (1914-1918) Denis O'Conor Don constructed a bomb shelter in the grounds of Clonalis to protect the family from bombing by Zeppelins. It was never used!
2. Clonalis was the first mass concrete house built in Ireland.
3. During Penal times a chapel was hidden in the 'Old' Clonalis House, the altar from which is now in the current chapel in Clonalis.
4. During the Irish Civil War the Clonalis House was occupied by members of the Irish Republican Army and shelled by the Free State Army. Shrapnel holes can be seen in the dining room of the house.
5. In c.1750 Hugh O'Conor left Clonalis to join the Spanish Army. In 1775, the by then, Lt Col Hugo O'Conor founded the City of Tuscon, Arizona.
6. After the failure of the 1798 rebellion Charles O'Conor, of Mount Allen, Ballanagare emigrated to America. In 1872 his grandson, Charles O'Conor of New York, became the first Catholic nominee for the Presidency of the United States. Charles O'Conor is also regarded as the Father of the Appellant Bar in New York State
7. The O'Conor Don title originated in 1385, when two cousins with the same name vied for the Kingship of Connacht. To distinguish one from the other, one was known as Ua Conchobhair Rua, anglicised to O'Conor Roe (this line is now extinct) and the other, Ua Conchobhair Donn (O' Conor Don).
8. Clonalis House contains over 100,000 original documents, the oldest of which dates back to 1580. The library dates from the 16th century, the oldest book dates from 1522 entitled "Asconii Paediani Exposito".
9. The O'Connor Clan, which sub-divided into 6 sub clans, is one of Ireland's largest and is thought to number approximately 500,000 throughout the world.
10. The O'Conor Don title is one of only 16 Irish titles recognised by the Irish State, which is a Republic.