Tom O'Connor (priest)
Encyclopedia
Tom O'Connor, local historian.
A native of Kiltullagh, Athenry
, O Connor has spent almost 50 years researching the history and geopolitics of Iron Age Ireland, notably early Connacht
. His books, Turoe & Athenry: Ancient Capitals of Celtic Ireland and Hand of History, Burden of Pseudo-History, present a Celtic royal complex, unprecedented in Ireland for its size and layout, but similar to Belgic centres of power, called oppida by Julius Caesar
, in SE England
and on the Continent, centered on Turoe in County Galway
, site of the famous Turoe stone
.
Among the finest example of La Tene Celtic stone art in Europe
, the stone was set on Turoe hill (Cnoc Temhro). According to O'Conner, it is part of a hitherto unrecognised royal sanctuary at the core of a Belgic-like oppidum defensive system of linear embankments, connected with the supposed Celtic invasion of Ireland.
His work has received local and national interest - especially since the construction of the M6 motorway (Ireland)
through many of the sites - yet received little endorsement from professional historians and archaeologists.
O'Connor spent over thirty years as a missionary
priest
in Malaysia.
A native of Kiltullagh, Athenry
Athenry
Athenry is a town in County Galway, Ireland. It lies east of Galway city, and one of the attractions of the town is its medieval castle. The town is also well-known by virtue of the song "The Fields of Athenry".-History:...
, O Connor has spent almost 50 years researching the history and geopolitics of Iron Age Ireland, notably early Connacht
Connacht
Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for...
. His books, Turoe & Athenry: Ancient Capitals of Celtic Ireland and Hand of History, Burden of Pseudo-History, present a Celtic royal complex, unprecedented in Ireland for its size and layout, but similar to Belgic centres of power, called oppida by Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman and a distinguished writer of Latin prose. He played a critical role in the gradual transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire....
, in SE England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and on the Continent, centered on Turoe in County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
, site of the famous Turoe stone
Turoe stone
The Turoe stone is a granite stone decorated in a Celtic style located in the village of Bullaun, County Galway, Ireland, 6 km north of Loughrea off the R350 regional road...
.
Among the finest example of La Tene Celtic stone art in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, the stone was set on Turoe hill (Cnoc Temhro). According to O'Conner, it is part of a hitherto unrecognised royal sanctuary at the core of a Belgic-like oppidum defensive system of linear embankments, connected with the supposed Celtic invasion of Ireland.
His work has received local and national interest - especially since the construction of the M6 motorway (Ireland)
M6 motorway (Ireland)
The M6 motorway is a motorway in Ireland, which runs from Dublin to Galway. The M6 extends from its junction with the M4 at Kinnegad all the way west to the outskirts of Galway City, but the Athlone bypass and the approach to Galway city - while of dual carriageway standard - have not been...
through many of the sites - yet received little endorsement from professional historians and archaeologists.
O'Connor spent over thirty years as a missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
in Malaysia.
External links
- http://homepage.eircom.net/~williamfinnerty/sd1.htm
- http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=6333362
- http://touchstoneoftruth.com/photos/displayimage.php?album=1&pos=3
- http://homepage.eircom.net/~archaeology/three/placenames.htm