The Irish diaspora in Belgium turned out in force at the European launch of the Flight of the Earls 400th anniversary exhibition at the European Parliament last night.
Four centuries after Earl of Tyrone Hugh O'Neill and Earl of Tyrconnel Rory O'Donnell fled to Belgium to escape English rule, Ireland's latest generation of emigrants gathered to commemorate an event that spread Irish people throughout Europe.
"The Flight of the Earls marked the first stage of emigration from Donegal, which was followed by the Famine in the 19th century and waves of emigration ever since," said Enda Bonner, chairman of Donegal County Council, who co-hosted the exhibition.
"It is important to launch the exhibition here because so many people that took part in the Flight of the Earls came to Belgium and some stayed in Belgium."
The exhibition displays the history of the earls, who left Rathmullen, Co Donegal, by ship in 1607. On board were the chieftains of some of the leading Gaelic families that had fought a nine-year war against English forces.
After landing in France, many of the 99 people on board settled in Belgium, Spain and Italy.
"The Flight of the Earls marked the end of an ancient Gaelic order and made way for the Plantation of Ulster," said Aidan Haughey, marketing manager of the exhibition.
"It also was a key event that established the Irish diaspora abroad."
The exhibition details how many of the Gallaghers and O'Briens on board went to Spain and became high ranked officers in the Spanish army. Over the years, the O'Briens of Spain changed their name to Obrégon. Many people of this name now live in Spain and Latin America. "In Belgium there are up to 500 people with names derived from people that arrived from the Flight of the Earls," said Mr Haughey.
Paul Marley of Letterkenny-based Marley Designs, who designed the website ( www.flightoftheearls.ie) and panels used in the exhibition, said the response was extraordinary. "There are currently 100,000 hits per month and huge interest in the project."
The exhibition is one of more than 60 events being held in Ireland and abroad. These include archaeology field trips, Celtic music festivals and history conferences, with some of the events taking place in Italy and the US.
Fianna Fáil MEP Seán Ó Neachtain co-hosted the event. Ireland's Ambassador to Belgium, Brian Nasan, also attended the launch.