The Spanish-Irish Association, together with the local authorities of Valladolid and Simancas, will hold a series of events from 10 to 12 September to mark the 420th anniversary of the death of Hugh O’Donnell the Red.
Red Hugh O’Donnell was the 16th century revolutionary who led the Irish rebellion against English rule that would lead to the Nine Years’ War. The man travelled to the city of Valladolid to seek the help of King Philip III in order to free his people from invasion.
On 21 October 2011, Valladolid paid tribute to this Irish king by placing a plaque in the Callejón de San Francisco which commemorates the figure of Hugh ‘Roe’ O’Donnell in three languages: Spanish, English and Gaelic. The event was attended by the then Irish Ambassador to Spain, Justin Harman, and two descendants of the Irishman, Vincent and Hugo O’Donnell. You can find the full programme of the tribute events at the following link.
