The World’s Spotlight on Donegal this September with Cuimhne,
a commemorative Flight of the Earls Festival from 7th – 16th September 
The 400th anniversary of The Flight of the Earls is to be marked by a spectacular ten-day commemorative Festival, Cuimhne, to take place across Donegal between the 7th and 16th September. Many commemorative events have already taken place this year throughout Donegal and Ireland and across the world to mark this historic moment in Irish History, participating countries including America, Britain, France, Spain, Italy and Belgium.
This is a special time for Donegal and Cuimhne has been programmed with this in mind, and to mark the actual anniversary of the Flight of the Earls from Portnamurry, Rathmullan, on September 14th. With events to suit all ages among those to look forward to are:-
The arrival to Rathmullan of the Tall Ship Jeanie Johnston, offering trips for the first time from Dublin to Donegal and a trip of a lifetime to France re-enacting the Flight of the Earls; Two World Premiers with Donal O’Kelly’s musical theatre piece Running Beast in Ramelton on the 9th and a specially commissioned concert, One Less Petal, One Last Flame in Milford Church on the 16th including new compositions by Elaine Agnew and fiddle player Tommy Peoples with a choir of 150 school children from around the Milford area; A major Exhibition in the County Museum focusing on the major events of the period opening on the 12th; A Family Carnival and pyrotechnic show in Rathmullan on the 15th; and a Commemorative March from Donegal Town to Rathmullan between the 14th and 16th. The Festival kicks-off with an already Sold Out special Phil Coulter Concert on Friday 7th September at Letterkenny’s new Leisure Complex.
To mark the actual 400th anniversary, President Mary McAleese will unveil a specially commissioned sculpture at the Shorefront, Rathmullan on Friday 14th and Rathmullan will host a variety of events throughout this day including a ceremony at Portnamurry Pier and a Debate between Dr Garrett Fitzgerald and Fintan O’Toole, Asst Editor, Irish Times entitled “The Celtic Tiger has eroded traditional Gaelic culture more than the Flight of the Earls did”
Saturday 15th will be a spectacular free family afternoon and evening that includes free public access to the Jeanie Johnston day in Rathmullan See the streets come alive with Inishowen Carnival Group’s Ghosts of the Earls followed by a dazzling pyrotechnic display by Walk the Plank.
Full Programme details are available on www.flightoftheearls.ie or by ‘phoning (074) 919 4200 / 919 4277. Cuimhne is organised by Donegal County Council as part of the year long commemoration of the Flight of the Earls.
This programme has been funded by the International Fund for Ireland, Interreg IIIA, Failte Ireland, Dept of An Taoiseach and the Dept of Arts, Sports and Touri