THE Ancient Order of Hibernians in the US has donated £25,000 to the Wexford Senate, which plans to reconvene the senate of 1798 as a 500-seat assembly of the Irish diaspora around the world.

The cheque was handed over yesterday at Wolfe Tone's statue in St Stephen's Green, Dublin, by the past national president of the American AOH, Mr George Clough. It was accepted by Mr Brian Cleary, chairman of the Wexford Senate's organising committee, and the former Taoiseach, Mr Albert Reynolds, one of the project's patrons.

Part of the money will go towards commemorative sites, including a national 1798 interpretative centre in Enniscorthy, and the restoration of the village of Oulart.