Donegal Town 550: President Michael D Higgins’ message for the community

President Michael D Higgins has sent the following message to the Donegal Town community:

Mar Uachtaran na hEireann, gabhaim comhghairdeas ó chroí agus gach dea-ghuí ar mhuntir bhaile Dhún na nGall agus 550 bliain ó bunaíodh an baile i 1474 á cheiliúradh agaibh. 

As President of Ireland, may I extend my heartfelt congratulations and warm regards to all the people in Donegal Town as you celebrate the 550th anniversary of the town since its founding in 1474. Tréaslaím libh. 

Donegal is one of a small number of Irish towns to have ever reached their 550th anniversary, and this remarkable milestone truly reflects the enduring spirit that characterises the essence of the Donegal community. 

The origins of the town can be traced back to 1474, when Aodh Ruadh Ó Domhnaill and his wife Nuala helped to establish both the Franciscan Donegal Abbey on the shores of Donegal Bay, and, further upstream on the River Eske, the famous Donegal Castle. 

Ever since its founding, Donegal has been one of Ireland's most historically significant places. As the ancient capital of Tír Chonaill, it was famous for being the former centre of power of the Ó Domhnaill dynasty, the great Gaelic clan who ruled this area for centuries and who played a pivotal role in Irish history, in particular in the fight against colonisation of the country by England. 

As President, I am moved by the profound history etched into the very fabric of Donegal. Indeed, I have my own connections with this area, the surname O'hÚiginn, descendant of Uiginn, derived from the Gaelic version of the Old Norse "víkingr", names of those Vikings who landed on the Inishowen Peninsula in the north of Donegal over 1,000 years ago. 

I have greatly enjoyed my numerous visits to this beautiful corner of Ireland, which have only deepened my appreciation for the warm hospitality and the enduring sense of community that defines the Donegal people.

The rich heritage, culture, and traditions that have been nurtured in Donegal Town are a source of pride, not just for the residents of the town, but also the wider Tír Chonaill area, and this significant occasion truly is proof of the dedication, cultural richness, resilience and vibrancy of the community that has thrived in Donegal over the centuries during times of adversity as well as better times.

In commemorating this historic milestone, let us collectively reflect on the remarkable journey that has unfolded over the past five and a half centuries by paying tribute to the generations that have shaped Donegal's character.

This year, we not only celebrate our shared history but also recommit ourselves to fostering a future where every citizen of Donegal can thrive and prosper, pledging to create a future that echoes the strength, camaraderie and compassion that has defined Donegal throughout its storied history.

May I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the residents of Donegal Town, and all those who have worked tirelessly to make this anniversary celebration a reality.

I hope that you all have a year full of joyous festivities and celebrations.

Guím gach rath oraibh don todhchaí.

Beir beannacht.

Michael D. Higgins 

Uachtarán na hÉireann 

President of Ireland