Main pic: Joe Mahon and his team at Donegal Railway Museum while filming for Mahon’s Way.
Joe Mahon travels to Donegal Town for tonight’s episode of ‘Mahon’s Way’ on UTV.
The town is celebrating its 550th anniversary, and Joe encounters more tales of the unexpected while exploring castles, caves and re-constructed railway carriages.
In the Republic of Ireland, you can simply tune in to UTV at 9pm. Alternatively, if you are in the UK, you will also be able to see the programme tonight, or at a later date through the ITVX streaming service.
The idea of celebrating and commemorating Donegal 550 is the brainchild of historian Dr Matthew Potter, who was born and reared in Donegal Town.
Donegal Town’s origins can be traced back to 1474, when Lady Nuala O’Donnell established a Franciscan Abbey on the shores of Donegal Bay. Around the same time, her husband Red Hugh O’Donnell the First, Lord of Tir Chonaill, founded Donegal Castle. The Town of Donegal grew up around these two great buildings and became the capital of Tir Chonaill. Under the O’Donnell Lords, who were treated as sovereign princes by the Kings of France, Spain and Scotland, Donegal Town was like the capital of an independent country for 130 years. Even after the O’Donnell’s were overthrown following the Battle of Kinsale, the town was reputedly the place where the Annals of the Four Master were written.
Since the time of Red Hugh the First and Lady Nuala, Donegal Town has been one of Ireland’s most historic places. Few Irish towns have ever reached their 550th Birthday. Yet Donegal is still young at heart, a flourishing and vibrant place, endowed with a remarkable and unique heritage and culture.
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