Councillor says East Donegal missing tourism opportunity from Red Hugh O’Donnell

East Donegal councillor Martin Scanlon has warned that the Lifford‑Stranorlar Municipal District is “missing a trick” by not capitalising on the international fame of Red Hugh O’Donnell.

Speaking at the district’s meeting, Scanlon noted that the famed chieftain was born at Mongavlin Castle, St Johnston, on 30 October 1572 and died on 10 September 1602 in Simancas Castle, Spain, where he received a royal burial in a chapel that also once housed the remains of Christopher Columbus.

Last month, councillors from the Lifford‑Stranorlar MD visited Spain as part of a twinning partnership with the Simancas/Valladolid region. Scanlon, a member of the delegation, said the hospitality they received highlighted the potential for tourism.

“We were treated so well, but we are missing a trick as an MD to see how we could further this to bring tourism into Lifford and east Donegal,” he said, adding that the celebration of O’Donnell abroad after 500 years is “unreal” and that more could be done locally.

He praised the work of the Red Hugh O’Donnell Association committee and called for the story to be “brought home to Donegal”. Fellow councillor Patrick McGowan agreed, describing Red Hugh O’Donnell as having “massive potential” for the county.

Source: Donegal Daily. Photo: Wolfgang Weiser / Pexels.