Kei Paterson is a photographer based in Dungloe. His biggest passion is travel and you can find him snapping pictures anywhere from Canada to Hong Kong. He also loves tattoos and gets a new tattoo every time he goes abroad!
This is Kei’s Donegal:
(1) What is your favourite place in Donegal and why?
Tough one, I’d probably say Glenveagh national park, it’s such a beautiful place to visit at any time of the year with some great photo opportunities to be had
(2) If you could change one thing about Donegal what would it be?
Its remoteness. Being as isolated from the rest of the republic as we are it’s not hard to see why Donegal is often referred to as “The Forgotten County”. Personally I don’t think it’s so much forgotten as just unknown, so much more could be done to promote Donegal not only in Ireland but to the rest of the world. I’ll never forget meeting a group of Americans in Donegal Town a couple of years ago who were convinced there was nothing further north.
(3) Who is the one person in Donegal that you look up to and why?
Got to be my mother, a great hardworking person who has always done her best for me.
(4) Daniel O’Donnell or Packie Bonner?
Daniel O’Donnell for sure. I may not personally be a fan of his music but it’s easy to see the good he has done in promoting Donegal over the years and despite his world-wide fame has never forgotten his local area, not to say that Packie Bonner has of course!
(5) What has been Donegal’s proudest moment in recent years?
I would say winning the All Ireland in 2012, it brought the entire county together not only in celebration of the victory but in the race for it and the support of the team
(6) What was Donegal’s saddest moment?
Unfortunately sadness and Donegal seem to go hand in hand these days with such a high number of suicides, particularly among the young, It wouldn’t be right to single just one out but defiantly the appalling preventable loss of young life has given this county more than its fair share of sad moments
(7) What is your favourite Donegal-made product?
There are too many to choose from!
(8) Who is Donegal’s greatest ambassador around the world and why?
As I said earlier it would have to be Daniel O’Donnell, I think you could safely say that no matter where you go in the world you will always run into one of his fans.
(9) Who is Donegal’s most successful businessperson in your opinion?
Keeping it local I would say Rónán and Conor Mc Garvey from Donegal Pens. It has been fantastic to watch their business grow and grow for the past few years. I think they are to be admired for taking on the challenges they have and to come through them as a thriving business with a very desirable product
(10) Who is your favourite Donegal sportsperson of all time?
Michael Murphy. Not being a follower of GAA it would be hard for me to judge his merits as a player but having met Murphy a few times I have always found him to be a genuine and friendly man and his exploits on the pitch have served as an inspiration of countless young aspiring players across the county and has served to boost interest in Gaelic football in general.
(11) What is your favourite Donegal restaurant?
The Bay View Bar in Dungloe, no question about it. It has to be my favourite bar and restaurant not only in Donegal but the world over. Always a warm welcome and in my opinion some of the best food and drink to be had anywhere.
(12) Donegal’s golden eagles or basking sharks?
Has to be the Golden Eagle, beautiful majestic creatures and with Glenveagh National Park being such a good place to try and spot one you’re guaranteed a fantastic day out even if you don’t managed to catch a glimpse.
(13) What is your favourite Donegal saying or expression?
It may not be a saying or expression but it would have to be “yous” referring to multiple people. I always feel it is one of those words you are unlikely to hear elsewhere in Ireland but so readily rolls of the tongue in these parts. A few years ago I had a couple of English and Canadian visitors who, never having heard the word on their arrival, where by the end of their trip using it naturally and unashamedly.
(14) Will Donegal win the All Ireland this year?
I would say that’s anyone’s guess. As I said I’m not one to follow it but I’d say with a strong team backed by a good manager and trainers we had as much of a shot at it as anyone else.
(15) What is your favourite Donegal food?
I wish I could still say Tayto crisps but sadly those days are over. Anyway I think it would be unfair of me to name brands when the standard of home produced food is as high as it is. We have so many local producers supplying wonder fresh meat and vegetables as well as a great variety of fresh fish and seafood I couldn’t single out one over the others.
(16) Is there anything that really annoys you about Donegal or its people?
No doubt, the roads. From potholes to mad drivers to never ending council works I would say the roads are the one thing about Donegal that truly annoys me. It makes driving here quite an experience and when you add to that, particularly around this time of year, gaeltacht students who all seem to have forgotten how a road works it can be positively nerve-racking.
(17) If you had a million euro to spend on improving something in Donegal, what would it be?
I think rather than improving what we already have I think money would be better invested in promoting Donegal as a tourist destination around the world. While The Wild Atlantic Way has brought tourists to Donegal in greater numbers than ever before I have seen first hand how many of them are simply passing through with no real ideas what the county has to offer besides it’s stunning natural beauty.
(18) Where’s the most unusual place you’ve logged on to Donegal Daily?
Hong Kong, I always say no matter how far away you are there’s always something happening at home that is capable of grabbing your attention
(19) Is there anything in particular that inspired you to pick up a camera and refine the skill of photography?
The beautiful coastline. It’s an unusual day when I leave the house without a camera by my side. Donegal truly has a rugged beauty all of its own. No matter the weather there is always something to be seen and photographed, from mountains to the abundant wildlife.
(20) Is there anything about Donegal that you are very proud of?
I don’t know about being proud of Donegal bit I think one thing we all share is a sense of place. With people from here spread all over the world I think from time to time we all think to ourselves either while at home or abroad, though we may complain about the weather or the remoteness, when you get down to it there’s really no place like home.
If you would like to check out some of Kei’s work you can visit his Facebook page.
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