Cllr. Martin Harley of the Lifford Stranorlar Municipal District attended a series of events in Valladolid and Simancas on the weekend of 10th September to celebrate the 420th Anniversary of Red Hugh O’Donnell.
Speaking at the event in Simancas Castle, Cllr. Harley said ‘I am very proud to be here today representing Donegal County Council and the people of East Donegal, the birth place of Red Hugh O’Donnell, on this the 420th Anniversary’.
Cllr. Harley acknowledged and ‘thanked the Red Hugh O’Donnell 420 Committee with a special word of thanks to Eddie Crawford and Brendan Rohan for all their work at local level in Lifford and Co Donegal in keeping the history of Red Hugh (The Fighting Prince of Donegal) very much alive’.
He thanked Carlos Burgos, the President of the Hispano Irish Association for ‘his ongoing engagement with the Officers of Donegal County Council on this historical event.’
A series of events took place over the weekend and Cllr. Harley stated ‘two of the highlights were the unveiling of the Commemorative Plaque in honor of Red Hugh in the San Franciso Convent Excavation area in Valladolid, followed afterwards by the Funeral Historical Reenactment of Red Hugh from the Royal Palace to the San Francisco Monastery’.
Whilst, the search for the remains of Red Hugh O’Donnell continue, Donegal County Councill have formed close links with the Committee and the people of Simancas and Valladolid.
