Donegal Town is gearing up for a grand celebration as the O’Donnell Clan Association (ODCA) hosts a gathering alongside a momentous “Rally of the Clans” parade.
The programme begins on Saturday, June 8th, 2024, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the first such gathering held at the behest of President Sean T. O’Kelly.
This year’s event holds great significance as it also marks the 550th anniversary of Donegal Castle’s construction and Donegal Abbey’s foundation, both by the legendary Red Hugh O’Donnell the First (1461-1505). O’Donnell, the King of Tyrconnell, died 519 years ago this July and was buried in Donegal Abbey.
The O’Donnell Clan Gathering programme kicks off on Saturday with a tour of the old Franciscan Abbey ruin at 2 pm, followed by a parade that has grown into a full-fledged “Rally of the Clans,” attracting eleven other historic Irish Clans.
The parade will be led by a colour party from the Irish Defence Forces. St Naul’s Pipe Band from Inver, will join, as will the Ambassadors of several countries that hosted Irish exiles in the past.
Three O’Donnell children from different classes in St Francis’ Primary School in Donegal were given the honour of carrying the O’Donnell Clan flag at the head of the Parade, escorted by local actors representing Aodh Rua and Nuala in period costume.
Participants will gather at the statue of Aodh Ruaidh, with the procession moving past the Diamond plaza, across the River Eske, then back across to arrive at the entrance to Donegal Castle.
All are welcome to watch the parade tomorrow – Saturday, 8th June between 4-5pm.
The ODCA gathering on Sunday 9th June falls on the Feast Day of Patron Saint St. ColmCille/Columba. On Sunday, at 11:30am, Very Rev. Fr James Gillespie will lead concelebrated Mass in St Patrick’s Church of the Four Masters on this Feast of St Columba/Colmcille, remembering O’Donnells and kindred clansfolk worldwide who passed to their eternal reward.
Several members of the Knights of Malta, in church mantles will also be in attendance. In accordance with an old Derry tradition for ‘the day that’s in it’, oak leaves for wearing on the lapel will be distributed to attendees at the church door.
The afternoon programme will include an Extraordinary General Meeting for the primary purposes of adopting a new Constitution, and electing a new Council to manage affairs. It will also include a gala dinner and music recital at Lough Eske Castle.
Historically, the O’Donnells were one of the most ancient and powerful clans in Ireland. The search for the burial place of Aodh Rua (Red Hugh O’Donnell) in Spain’s old capital, Valladolid in 2020, sparked worldwide interest. The fallout after his death heralded a watershed in Irish history with the Flight of the Earls, the Plantations and the exile and emigration which followed.
But, that Aodh Rua was the second of the name and Donegal town hosts a magnificent bronze statue to an important royal ancestor, his great-great-grandfather, also Aodh Rua, and, nearby Donegal Castle and the Franciscan Abbey, represented his seat of power as King, in European royal courts. The Tír Chonaill (Tyrconnell) Kingdom, as it was then, spanned all of present-day Donegal and parts of Derry, Antrim, Tyrone, Fermanagh, Leitrim, Sligo and Mayo, about the size of Lebanon. After the Flight of the Earls, O’Donnells attained high office in many other countries throughout the following 400 years, especially in Austria, Argentina, Britain, Canada, France, Hungary, Spain and the USA.
The O’Donnell Clan Association (ODCA), formed in 1954, was kept alive in recent years by some stalwarts in Donegal. Now, a global network of O’Donnell heritage brings descendants together from around the world.
Find out more: https://www.govisitdonegal.com/festivals-and-events/clan-gathering-70th-anniversary
