In Pictures: Canadian ambassador in Donegal Town as part of 550 celebrations

Canadian Ambassador to Ireland Nancy Smyth has visited Donegal Town to mark its 550th birthday celebrations. Click on the arrows to see picturs of her visit to Donegal Castle.

"Just call me Nancy," was her reply when asked how she should be addressed, and indeed, the congenial ambassador has every reason to feel quite at home in the area. Her grandmother was from Lismontin in Ballintra. She and her fellow McGee siblings emigrated to Canada in 1920s, following in the footsteps of previous generations who emigrated in the aftermath of the potato famine.

Her Excellency has been a regular visitor to the county since long before she was appointed ambassador in 2021. She has a particularly fond memory of flying into Donegal Airport on a previous visit, and has been to almost every corner of her ancestral home county.

The ambassador was given a brief history of Donegal Town and Donegal Castle by OPW's Emma Timoney, and she was full of praise for the work of Donegal Community Chamber, the OPW, Donegal County Council, Donegal Tidy Towns, Failte Ireland and the 550 Steering Group. 

Eleanor Hanna of Hanna Hats presented her with a gift bag which included a number of items from Hanna Hats and from other craft businesses in the area. 

Ms Smyth was accompanied by her brother Stan for the two day visit which included meeting officials of Donegal County Council, and visits to a number of schools in the area.