Ó Domhnaill Abú No.31

ISSN 0790-7389 Ó Domhnaill Abú O’Donnell Clan Newsletter No. 31 Winter 2002 The Irish O’Donnells in Valladolid – 6th Sept. 2002 400th Anniversary of Red Hugh’s Death Many historians consider the Battle of While Maria Angelines was the catalyst, Kinsale 1602 as marking the end of the old Patricio was the person who did most of the Irish Order but I disagree. The Irish spirit ground work; Count Hugo was instrumental was not yet dead – it may have received a in gaining access for us to many institutions demoralising blow but it definitely wasn’t otherwise out of bounds to the general dead. The northern clans retreated gracefully public and Mariana was the other member and continued to defend their territories. of that group. A travel agency in Madrid Rory O’Donnell fought one last battle was appointed to look after accommodation, against the English at the Curlew mountains buses, guides etc. The only person at that in the autumn of 1602. Shortly after he agency with a knowledge of the English received the sad news of his brother’s (Red language was Puri Lopez a young beautiful Hugh) death in Spain. With this news came energetic girl and so she was put in charge the realisation that Spanish aid would not be of everything both before and during the coming and so the northern chieftains, week. She played such a part in the entire including Hugh O’Neill and Rory event that she seemed to be one of us. O’Donnell, made peace with the English. Therefore I say that the death of Red Hugh was the turning point. The Irish spirit was definitely dead and the English Crown had finally conquered Ireland. The O’Donnell Clan Association had commemorated the 400th anniversary of several events of the Nine Years War – most notable being the Battle of the Curlews in 1999. As 2002 approached we felt that the 400 anniversary of the death of Red Hugh should not pass un-noticed or un-remembered. All agreed it should take place in Spain but that presented huge problems. How could we organise the event in another country in Patricio O’Donnell who did much of the ground work. another language? Then wonderful things began to happen. Maria Angelines We had, about 60 people from Ireland, a O’Donnell of the Spanish O’Donnells but dozen or so from the U.S., a few from living in California came across my website England and Belgium and a good 40 turned and made contact with me. Patricio up from Spain. Now it has to be understood O’Donnell of the Spanish O’Donnells did that all the O’Donnells of Spain are exactly the same thing. Both agreed to help descendent from Joseph O’Donnell who in whatever way they could. Around emigrated from Co. Mayo about 250 years Christmas 2001 Maria Angelines visited ago, and Joseph descended from Manus 21st Spain for a short holiday during which she Chieftain (Manus was Red Hugh’s called on some of her cousins to form a grandfather). We, Irish, were so delighted to committee to organise the Spanish end of meet with members of the Spanish branch things. And there in January of 2002 the who turned out to be a handsome and jolly seed was sown for what was to be the lot. Very encouraging it was to see so many greatest O’Donnell Clan Gathering ever. of their young people present. Nationalities just having a nice time until well past were no longer important as we realised we 2.00am. had a stronger bond – we were O’Donnells! Day 1, 3rd Sept.: There was a bit of a delay getting out of the airport but when we did Puri Lopez was there with a coach waiting for us. A 20 minute drive to us to our hotel, Hotel Convencion, a 4 star hotel on O’Donnell Street. As we were already late for the Cocktail Reception we wasted no time Five young Spanish O’Donnells getting to the Reception room where many of the Spaniards had been waiting for us for Day 3, 5th Sept.: about an hour. We were warmly welcomed and the rest of the evening was spent in After an early breakfast it was off to Toledo getting to know one another, making where we enjoyed a guided tour of this introductions, speeches, enjoying drinks and ancient city. The cathedral is fascinating but hors d’oeuvres and enjoying being together. the highlight of the day was our visit to El Alcázar, that huge fort on top of the hill which has seen some of the bravest and Day 2, 4th Sept.: saddest scenes in Spanish history especially during the Civil War. Once again our guide After breakfast we enjoyed a guided tour of through the Alcázar was a general from the Madrid, a beautiful city. Lunch was back in Spanish army. Here also we saw some our hotel and then we were off again to visit artefacts belonging to General Leopoldo among other places, the Prado Museum O’Donnell. After presentations were made which houses so many wonderful paintings we went for lunch and then to a sword by the worlds greatest artists – El Greco, factory. During the 14th and 15th centuries Goya, Marilo, Van Gogh and Picasso. We Spanish ships often called to Donegal visited the Army Museum where our guide bringing goods from the Continent – silk, was an army general. There we saw a large wine, etc. but always weapons. Toledo collection of weapons and armaments, some swords were always in high demand. We dating back centuries. Among the exhibits were back in the hotel by 9.00pm where the were the sword of El Cid and swords and ‘áirneal’ went on, like the previous night, till pistols of Leopoldo O’Donnell, 1st Duke of long after the bar was closed. Tetuan and one of Spain's greatest heroes. Our last visit was to the a reception in the City Hall where we were received by the Day 4, 6th Sept.: Lord Mayor’s representative. Again we enjoyed drinks and finger food, heard the Another early start for the 2 hour drive to history of the building and its significence in Valladolid. On arrival we met the Spaniards Spanish history. A Donegal Parian China who had travelled by another coach and had harp was presented to our host in a different guide. We toured the city in two thanksgiving. groups, our paths often crossing, which led Later, back in the hotel, many of our group to all sorts of good-natured banter every sat around drinking, chatting, singing and time we met. From previous experience we realised that for fifty people to keep toghther through busy streets there was a need for facade of the monastery and it is there the some sort of ‘guiding star’. Our O’Donnell Lord Mayor has granted us permission to flag fulfilled this purpose wonderfully. For place a commemorative plaque. the rest of the day various members of our We then proceeded to the City Hall for a group carried our standard with pride. reception. Again, there was food and drink, speeches, presentations and off we went to lunch. At lunch we were joined by the Spaniards, about 30 of them. It was a casual get together where we mixed, enjoyed lovely food and drink, toasted Ireland, Spain and the O’Donnells. The two coaches brought us the short distance to Simancas Castle. It was here Red Hugh died on the 10th Sept. 1602 at the age of 29. The castle is not open to the public. It houses many of Spain’s archives, among them correspondence from Red Hugh and The Irish group march through Valladolid following from Hugh O’Neill to the Kings of Spain our flag carried here by Denis O’Donnell, Dungloe. requesting assistance. On our arrival we were taken on a tour of the castle. On a table We eventually entered the Plaza Mayor and in one of the rooms e the letters were on though our guide went on about the Plaza display. There we could see Red Hugh’s and the magnificent buildings surrounding it, signature and seal. most of us just thought and whispered about Finally we assembled in the courtyard for the bones of our beloved Red Hugh being our remembrance ceremony. It began with a buried somewhere close to where we were decade of the Rosary being recited in the standing (outside the Cafe del Notre). Gaelic language. Then Red Hugh’s will was read in both Spanish and in English. Eunan O’Donnell recited a wonderful eulogy to Red Hugh. Inside the main gate is a bronze plaque giving an account in Spanish and Gaelic of Red Hugh’s death. Under this plaque a laurel wreath was laid by Count Hugh, Pádraig McCosker on behalf of the Irish Ambassador, and Vincent O’Donnell of the O’Donnell Clan Association. Caitlín O’Donnell sang ‘Róisín Dubh’ supposedly composed by Red Hugh’s poet and expressing Red Hugh’s last wish for Ireland as he lay dying in Spain. And lastly, 3 O'Donnell brothers from Malaga, Rafael, Juan Antonio & Felix with their cousin Agustin from we all sang ‘O’Donnell Abu’. Madrid. It was a moving ceremony and, of course, the reason we were there. Somewhere here 400 years earlier the Prince That night back in the hotel we once again of Tír Chonaill was buried inside the church enjoyed a few hours of our own nightly of the the Franciscan Monastery.

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