My name is Conor Maurice Willis and I am 12 years old. The picture on the left is me with Sky Football Commentator, Cris Kamara, taken at St. Mary's Stadium in 2005.
My Name History: According to Irish legend, Conor was born in Ireland about 2000 years ago, about the same time as Christ in Palestine. Conor's mother (Ness) had promised to marry Fergus Mac-Roi, King of Ulster, but only if her son could take his throne for one year. He agreed but when the year was over, supported by Irish Nobles, she ousted Mac-Roi from the throne. Conor therefore, became King of Ulster.
The Name Conor was made more famous in recent times by the Irish author and diplomat, Conor Cruise-O'Brien (b.1917). Educated at Trinity College, Dublin, he entered the department of external affairs of Ireland in 1944 and served as a counselor in Paris (1955-56) and as a member of the Irish delegation to the United Nations (1956-60). He left the diplomatic service after representing (1961) the UN secretary-general in Katanga in the Congo and was vice chancellor of the Univ. of Ghana (1962-65) and a professor at New York Univ. (1965-69); he has been pro-chancellor of the Univ. of Dublin since 1973. In 1969 he entered the Irish parliament, the Dáil, and joined the government in 1973, but he was defeated in 1977 because of his opposition to the Irish Republican Army . He was an Irish senator from 1977 to 1979. A severe critic of the dangers of extreme nationalism in his homeland and elsewhere, he served as editor in chief of the Observer (1979-81). Conor was once described by his biographer, Donald Akenson, as simply, 'the greatest living Irishman.'
Maurice has been a Bransfield family name (my Mum's maiden name) and comes from Midleton, County Cork, spanning many generations. Maurice is the name of my Uncle, Great Uncle, Great Grandfather and Great-Great Grandfather.
What a great name to give to an Irish Dancing Academy?
I am a supporter of Southampton Football Club and my favourite players are Matt Oakley and Danny Higginbotham (who is left footer, just like me). Saints have struggled since their relegation from the top league but are now rebuilding for a big come-back. Watch this space!
Below, is my favourite Internet Links. I love Sport. I play football with Tooting & Mitcham United Juniors FC - I play with the under-12 'Terrors' team and we were Premiership Champions in season 2004/05. In the pricture on the right (below) I am standing far right and my Dad is the Team Manager sitting in the middle.
I recently represented my school in the catholic sports and came 2nd in the Long Jump. I also swim and have just passed my 400m freestyle badge. And also, like all good footballers in the summer, I am learning to play golf with my Dad.
Tooting & Mitcham United Juniors FC
You can now E-Mail me at: conor.willis@btinternet.com
Mum's Pages (Conor Academy of Irish Dancing website)
My Brother Cormac's Website...
My School - St Joseph's College
Southampton Football Club