[caption id="attachment_69418" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Tip O'Neill. "]
Plans have been drawn up to erect a memorial stone to a legendary U.S. politician in Donegal.
The commemoration will be placed in Buncrana and it will honor the late Thomas "Tip" O'Neill, the legendary Democratic House Speaker who forged a unique cross-the-aisle relationship with President Ronald Reagan.
O'Neill, whose grandmother Eunice Fullerton lived in the town in the 19th century, was the speaker of the House of Representatives for ten years until his retirement in 1987.
Well known in Ireland for putting the Troubles on Washington's agenda, O'Neill was proud of his Buncrana heritage and once said "where my people came from, there's no more beautiful place in Ireland."
To mark the centenary of his birth, Buncrana Town Council is planning a weekend of celebrations later this year, including the unveiling of the memorial stone. It will be placed at a walkway in the town were the Crana River meets Lough Swilly and near a monument to O'Neill's relative, Eddie Fullerton.
Buncrana mayor Nicholas Crossan said: "Tip was very proud of his Buncrana roots. He still has living relatives in the town and his family home where his grandmother was born is still standing and is owned by Tip's son Thomas, who comes here frequently.
"He is one of the best-known American politicians and anyone with an interest in his story should include a visit to where his relatives left for America."
Mayor Crossan said it was hoped to unveil the stone in April or May.
"We hope to be able to invite the American ambassador to Buncrana because Tip was such a great man and this would be great publicity for Buncrana. It is very important to get this kick started and to put Buncrana on the map," He said.
