EFFORTS to maximise the Donegal links of famous revolutionary Wolfe Tone could reap major tourism dividends, it is claimed.
Proposals were put forward this week seek to highlight the role of Donegal in the life of United Irishmen founder Wolfe Tone and his connections with other parts of the country.
The County Council was urged to engage with “local authorities, cultural bodies, and communities” across the “North and South” to celebrate a “shared history”.
Wolfe Tone. Photo: Kildare Local History.
Wolfe Tone, who lived from 1763 until his death during the 1798 Rebellion, was captured aboard a French flagship by British forces in Lough Swilly nearly 230 years ago.
He asked to be executed by a firing squad like a soldier when a British military court convicted of him of treason.
The court ordered a public hanging, but he died in prison days later after slitting his own throat.
An official said this week that Donegal County Museum would welcome the “opportunity to consider how the important history and legacy of the United Irishmen, the 1798 Rising, and Theobald Wolfe Tone might be further explored and shared”.
The development is thanks to a proposal by Inishowen Cllr Jack Murray.
Cllr Jack Murray has asked Donegal County Council to celebrate the links of the county with United Irishmen founder Theobold Wolfe Tone. Photo: Clive Wasson.
He asked a full meeting of the council on Monday: “That Donegal County Council formally recognises the significant historical connections between Theobald Wolfe Tone and County Donegal, particularly his landing and imprisonment in Buncrana, following his capture at Lough Swilly in 1798.
“The council further commits to engaging with local authorities, cultural bodies and communities relevant to other sites of significance associated with Wolfe Tone across the North and South of Ireland, with a view to developing a coordinated, cross-border
programme celebrating this shared history.
“As part of this work, the council will explore opportunities for support through the Shared Island Fund and other relevant funding streams.”
Donegal County cathaoirleach Cllr Gary Doherty congratulated Cllr Murray on his motion and said: “We need to be celebrating our history. I commend you on your motion.”
Wolfe Tone was born into a middle-class Protestant family in Dublin and trained as a barrister at Trinity College but abandoned law to fight the British.
A commemoration of his democratic principles is held every year at his burial site in Co Kildare.