Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
A HIGH COURT judge has refused to order Dromoland Castle in Co Clare to return paintings on loan to it from Conor O’Brien, the 18th Baron Inchiquin.
Lord Inchiquin, who is chief of the 750,000 O’Brien clan, was also refused an injunction preventing the reproduction of paintings, which he said would devalue them. He had asked the High Court to direct the return to him of 37 portraits worth €1.4m that have hung in the five star hotel for several decades. He had argued that they were not being properly looked after and had been damaged through neglect and recklessness.
However, Dromoland Castle Holdings denied the claims. It also said that under a 1993 agreement, the owner of the paintings, Baron Inchiquin, was not entitled to repossess the painting en masse. Doing so would irreparably damage the reputation of the hotel, which is one of the best known in the United States.
It said it would return the paintings once it had made copies that could be hung in place of the originals, for which it is understood Lord Inchiquin had found a buyer.
Mr Justice O’Keefe of the High Court refused the application for a mandatory injunction forcing the immediate return of the paintings and an injunction prohibiting reproduction. He said a full hearing would take place soon, in which the exact nature of the 1993 agreement would be looked at.
The Inchiquins lived in Dromoland Castle until 1962, when they sold it to American billionaire Bernard McDonagh.
Another feckless indirect descendant of the Keeper of Cattle who cannot live within his means and needs to sell the family silver.
In no time at all it will be like the great Earls of Leinster whose title now resides with an out of work plumber from London.
It’s all in the Jeans (sic)
I resent the claim by this guy and his family to be the head of the O’Brien ‘clan’. The Inchiquins were given their titles by the Tudors on condition that they pledge allegiance to the English crown, adopt English laws and customs, and abandon any Gaelic titles. They were collaborators in the English occupation of Ireland, fought with Royalists during the English Civil War, and many have a history of service within the British military during the brutal occupation. In my opinion they insult the name O’Brien and the legacy of Brian Boru.
The name O’Brien is descended from Brian Boru but I and other O’Briens make no claim to be legitimate kings of Ireland. Just because this guy is descended from a traitorous line that accepts English nobility over Ireland doesn’t mean he has a legitimate claim to be the leader of the O’Briens. It pissed me off many years ago getting a pamphlet posted to me at home ‘inviting’ me at my own expense to some fancy function to celebrate their ‘leadership’ of the O’Brien family. It still pisses me off today.
/rant over
We all know that Denis O’Brien is the true head of your clan and has long ago claimed his rightful throne as the untouchable King of Ireland!
Lord Inchiquin my ass…
Hangem High
@BarryOBrien your bashing your own heritage mate. Go and do your research you moron clearly your no intellectual and don’t know your own history. I’d love to see you argue with DNA.
sidenote @barryob Please go and look up the O’Brien geneology for your own sake its ridiculous how stupid and nonsensical your comment is, it makes ABSOLUTELY no sense.
I’m an O’Brien, can you give us the synopsis on where Barry is wrong. I genuinely have no idea either way but you seem pretty vehement against what he said. Can you clarify or give some info? Thanks
Ah the O’Briens. Still annoyed with each other since they let a viking murder their leader in the 11th century. No wonder so many became protestant
have your say