JOURNAL OF THE COUNTY DONEGAL HISTORICAL .-:>OCIETY c..rt iss~~ m 1887 and the title went to his nephew, Carlos, Marquis of .<\itamira, who was ·born in ica4 .. The s:ocond Duke filled many offices, among them being Minister of Foreign Affain; and A.:r.;bassad-::ir at Vienna. He kept up a close association with this country, corresponding with the Larkfield O'Donnel:s. He sent the fo'.lowing "teleg:am on the occasion of the Centenary Celsb:.: .t:ons of the birth of St. Columbkille. held at Garton, on $1th .-une, 1897 . "To th~ Lord Bishop O'Donnell, 1Letterkenny. As an O'Donnell, I .beg your Lo::dship to convey to all those essembled to-day at Letterkenny the expression of my heartful sympathy on this the 1•3th. Centenary of your .Patron Saint". Martin B::ennan writing of the Irish Brigades in "Antiquffies in 18519, says that :- "their descendants in Austria, France and Spain a:e this very day men· of renown. Their iMilesian names are plainly discernilble in the modern armies they, acco::ding to our ag2. have assumed; yet there is one noble exception as to the change of names-and that is "The O'Donnell" of Spain, who not o!11Y retains his Irish name but spea.ks the Irish language and has his children taught it." The second Duke died in 1903 and the title passed to his son, Juan, •(3rd. Duke) a Lieut. General of Cavalry. He too held many important posts. He was a close friend of Primo de Rivera ~ ...nd was Minister for War in his Cabinet. He had no knowled~ of English and despite the handicap presided over the stormy Irish Race Convention that was held in Paris in January, 192L He publicly stated on that occasion that his grandfather spoke Irish to the mem!bers of his own family in their home in Spain. A delegate who attended the Convention descrilbed the Duke as of portly figure, smoking an inter- :ni:la:ble chain of cigars who when he left the chamner begged permission with many gestures. He di<.d in l{J28 leavmg only one son, Juan, the 4th Duke, born Hl98. He died unmarried in 1932. Upon his death Blanca, his su:vivin.g sister, became Duchess of Tetuan. Although married she still retains the name "O'Donnell." She is the Head of the Family in 1Spain while her husba:J.d is give·n th:c courtesy title Duke of Tetuan (5th Duke). Both hc:ve been distinguished guests·· ;;y t rEceptior.s given by His Excellency, Leo T. McCau!ey, Irish Ambassado:: at Madrid. 276. · AUS l'RIAN BRANCH This illustrious B:::anch owes its ongm to Major-Gene·ral Henry Count O'Donnell, born Mavo, 1729. He rose to great eminence in the Austrian Service and married a royal princ~ss. His d ~ sce•d.ants continue to re".lder distinguished service to !•heir ne1w country. His greatgrandson. Colonel Maximillian Charles Count O'Donnell von 'T'vrconnell. Imperial Aide-de- ~amP and Chamberlain. possesso:· of the Military Cross ot Merit and Knight Commander of several foreign orders, saved the Emperor Francis J<;>seph 1 from assassination in February, 1853. For tlhis he was rewa~d.ed with a s·pecial Patent of noib1hty and he and his male and fef?ale heirs were granted the u111que honour of quartering the Imperial Arms of the Royal House of Austria with their own. The ~itation on the occa_sion ep_itomizes t .h e splendid services rendered to Austria iby the O'iDonnells. After adverting to the de3.th of Aodh Ruadh and the Fli"ght of Earl Rory it continues :- "Since that period their descendants have devoted themselves to the service of tlhe monarchs of the Spanish line of our m o s t s~·rene Archduca! House in the kingdom of. Spain, ::rnd in later times. in the beginning of the past century, to that of our most serene predeces~·
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzQxNzU3