Clonalis House

Clonalis House is celebrated as one of Ireland’s most significant historic estates, offering visitors the chance to explore a stately home filled with a remarkable collection of family portraits, each with its own fascinating tale.

The O’Conor family, direct descendants of Ireland’s last High Kings and traditional rulers of Connacht, have called Clonalis home for over 1,000 years. The estate is considered the last remnant of the ancient Kingdom of Connacht and is now home to the 27th generation of the O’Conor lineage. Their history includes eleven High Kings of Ireland and 26 Kings of Connacht, making Clonalis a treasure trove of Irish heritage.

A guided tour offers a deep dive into the long and rich history of one of Ireland’s oldest noble families. Visitors can immerse themselves in a world of historical artifacts, including correspondence, heirlooms, the renowned harp of Turlough O’Carolan (the famous blind harpist), and the inauguration stone of the O’Conor Kings. The estate’s collection of family portraits, objets d’art, and historical documents brings the O’Conor family’s legacy to life.

The estate is also home to the extraordinary Clonalis Library, boasting a collection of around 7,000 volumes, widely regarded as one of the finest private libraries in Ireland.