Sir, – Ronan McGreevy’s fine article is a fascinating look back in time (“Spanish city honours Irish chieftain Red Hugh O’Donnell with a mock funeral fit for a king”, September 14th).
It is also a reminder of the deep historical links between Ireland and Spain, particularly in the 16th Century.
Red Hugh O’Donnell had arrived in Spain with the remnants of the Spanish force, which returned home after the defeat of the Spanish and Irish at the Battle of Kinsale in January 1602.
His purpose in travelling to Spain was to persuade King Philip II to send another fleet to Ireland to aid the Irish who were fighting against the Tudor conquest of Ireland, then in its final stages.
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Red Hugh was accommodated in the Castle of Simancas, now home to the Spanish national archives, by King Philip II. Simancas is only 15km from the city of Valladolid, then the capital of Spain and the seat of the Spanish monarchy.
Undoubtedly, he would have travelled the short distance to Valladolid in his unsuccessful efforts to secure military aid from Philip II and his successor, Philip III, during the final nine months of his life in Spain. Moreover, he was buried in Valladolid with full state honours. His state funeral was formal recognition by the King of Spain of his high status and importance.
Valladolid is entitled to claim him and to honour his memory. It is wonderful that the citizens of the city are doing so annually in their thousands.
However, it is inaccurate to describe him as “a refugee fleeing unrest in his country” as the Irish Ambassador to Spain stated in the article.
Together with Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone, he was the joint leader of the rebellion against the Elizabethan conquest of Ireland in the late 16th century.
He was not seeking refuge in Spain but seeking military aid from a longstanding ally who was also engaged in a bitter struggle against a common enemy. – Yours, etc,
JOE COSTELLO,
Dublin 7.