On Wednesday two walkers Pat and Breda Boyce from Donegal stopped off in Shannonbridge on a commeration walk remembering Red Hugh O'Donnell's march in 1607 when his army marched from Donegal town to Kinsale following the route of the original march passing through Bundoran,Sligo,Colloney,Ballymote,Ballinafad,Boyle,Roscommon,Taughmaconnell, Ballinasloe,Shannonbridge,Cloghan,Kinnitty,Roscrea to Clonmore where they stayed for one month awaiting the arrival of Owen Roe O Neill's army that came from Dungannon.
On then through the Slieve Bloom Mountains,Rearcross,Abbington,Croom,Newcastle West,Mill Street,Dunmanway,Bandon,to Innishannon where they met O Neill's army.
The total army camped at Belgooly about 15 miles from Kinsale and the battle took place at My Waterford where they were badly defeated.
After the battle Red Hugh O Donnell went to Spain while Eoghain Roe O Neill went back home to Dungannon where they completely destroyed the O Neill Castle stone from stone.
Pat Boyle told us that the battle marked the end of the Brehon Laws and the old Chieftain System in Ireland and led to the country being Anglacised and to The Plantation of Ulster.
The Boyces are walking about 15 miles a day and camping on the trail to help raise funds for the Children with Special Needs Charity and it is intended to use whatever money is raised locally in each county.