TWO Derry musicians are among a group of performers taking part in a ceremony marking the 420th anniversary of the death of legendary Irish chieftain Red Hugh O’Donnell.
Flute player, Marcas Ó Murchú and piper, Jim O’Hagan will attend the unveiling of a plaque this weekend at Valladolid in Spain marking the death in 1602 of the dashing prince and head of the O’Donnell clan.
Ambassadors from Spain and Ireland, along with guests from the US, Spain and Ireland are expected to attend the event along with historians and other interested parties. A weekend programme has been put in place to mark the anniversary.
Born in 1572, O’Donnell and the great Hugh O’Neill led a rebellion against the English in 1595 before they were eventually defeated at the Battle of Kinsale in 1602. Following the battle O’Donnell fled to Spain to seek the aid of King Philip III.
However, he died at the age of 29 en route to Valladolid and is buried in the Spanish city.
Two years ago, archaeologists uncovered a number of skeletal remains, one of which they hoped to identify as those of the young prince.
They had hoped to identify the remains by finding a skeleton with a missing toe as O’Donnell had lost one to frostbite while escaping from prison as a young man. But they were unable to do so.
Well-known traditional flute player and former Ard Ollamh (laureate) of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, Mr Ó Murchú said he and Mr O’Hagan (pipe major with Derry’s Colmcille pipe band) would be joined by musicians from across Ireland.
The Derry musician has also arranged appropriate Irish music for the occasion.
“I have taken old clan marches, related to the Maguire, O’Neill, Ó Dónaill families and some gathered in Ulster by John O’Donovan around Co Derry in the 1830s and of course ‘O’Donnell Abú’ will be heard.
“We will be playing at a Mass on Sunday and at a ceremony in the original Palacio Real and will walk behind a hearse with horses, Irish and Spanish soldiers as a guard of honour on Monday evening,” Mr Ó Murchú said.
He also revealed plans to link the Lifford/Stranorlar district in Co Donegal with Valladolid to promote a new tourism strategy.
“Some of the O’Donnell clan of Spain, who distinguished themselves in the Spanish Navy and are part of Spanish aristocracy will also attend,” Mr Ó Murchú said.
