Donegal philanthropist dies in New Zealand

A multi-millionaire Co Donegal-born businessman who gave millions of euro to Irish charities has died at his home in New Zealand…

A multi-millionaire Co Donegal-born businessman who gave millions of euro to Irish charities has died at his home in New Zealand.

Building contractor and farmer Hugh Green was worth more than €250 million but gave much of his wealth away.

The 80-year-old left his native Raphoe aged 20 with friend Barney McCahill. He worked on cattle farms and laid cables in Australia and then in New Zealand.

He began to buy land and soon built a huge company called the Hugh Green Group. However he regularly returned to Donegal.

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Last year he donated €200,000 towards the development of Letterkenny General Hospital.

His daughter Maryanne, chief executive of her father’s company said of her father’s generous nature. “He just went about it quietly. It’s the way it’s always been.”