DD Motoring: The New Skoda Kodiaq and Shannons’ Corner

One sure sign that you have arrived is when you go “through the Gap” and they shorten your name. It’s a respect thing if you can understand it or not you have very little option but to go with it. The knew Skoda lost the two letters out of its name, shortening it to “Kodi” when it arrived recently to DMG Motors in Donegal Town.

Maybe the AQ was silent to begin with so what was the point in writing it down if you weren’t going to say it. It’s a bit like Mary Matthews restaurant at the top of Ballyshannon Main St. called Shannons’ Corner.

Both Skoda and Shannons’ Corner have come along way to end up at a successful location even though they started their journey travelling in the complete opposite direction. Skoda started out as an independent carmaker in the Czech Republic only to be taken over by the VW group which ended up making the brand a runaway success, some would even consider it a more successful brand than its parent company.

Skoda always were ahead of the competitors in the Czech Republic and just needed that final ingredient of VW’s support to make the brand a success.

Shannons’ Corner had Mary Matthews who started off in the catering business working for Jack Grimes in his Bakery and Café in Ballyshannon, Mary ended up as manager of the business baking for everyone in Ballyshannon, Bundoran and Rossnowlagh where Jack Grimes had retail outlets.

After working for 17 years for the Grimes group, Mary decided to go out on her own, that was 19 years ago on the 4th of April next week. Mary Matthews opened her own business at the top of the Main St. in Ballyshannon. She will be the first to say it wasn’t easy. There was manys a week she came home without a wage for herself after she had all the bills squared for a week working in her own wee town.

Over the years Mary looked after her own customer base and her suppliers. Mary buys all her supplies locally, free range eggs come up from Patton’s Whitehall Farm, her meat comes from local butchers; Rooney’s Walsh’s and Jim Gallagher in Mc Gaherns.

This week I was parked up outside the Café to enjoy some of Mary’s home cooking when I returned to my gleaming Skoda Kodi, I seen a local man eyeing it up, “what do you think?#8221; I asked, he just kept looking at it as he got to the backend of the car and said “Ah Skoda, I thought it was a BMW!”

Having worked in Ballyshannon off and on for the last 30 years, I know that there is a compliment in there somewhere.

It saddens me to see our towns suffering in business so it’s a breath of fresh air to see Shannons’ Corner surviving, buying local, employing local, and cooking local for local customers and of course catering the odd lost “blow-in” like myself from “through the gap”.

A perfect 10

The new Skoda Kodiaq or “Kodi” as the say in Clar, ticks a lot of boxes for me. I am happy when others are happy in the car that I am driving.

That’s why I just love estate cars, room for everyone and room for all their baggage!

A good bit of power but easy to run, then there’s the grip, 4 wheel drive but not all the time only when you need it, making it the most efficient way to go. It’s only after all them wishes granted that I would consider that vehicle to be in the guise of an off roader.

Driving the Kodi

The man that mistook my Skoda for an X5 BMW outside Shannons’ corner in Ballyshannon need not feel bad. This Skoda Jeep and VW Toured and the Q5 are all based on the same floor pan, but have different levels of finish.

Unlike the BMW and Audi, the extra will be extras and will have to be paid for on top of the price of the car. The Skoda we drove a 4×4 with 150bhp cost around €41,000, the Ambition starts at €29.395. That’s a lot of jeep (SUV) for that price.

This was also a seven seater with the two rear seats folding into the boot when they are not needed. There is an air of understated class driving a Skoda these days, something that Skoda may have mistakenly inherited from its posh cousin, the Audi.

Years ago it was the Merc and BM’s that stole the show for class and the Audi was there or there about. Now more Skodas are filling the posh parking spaces where once the German brands names were king.

McGettigan on Berocca Boast!

There are unconfirmed reports that one of the top contenders in the “Fight for the Stage” fight night is already under club protest. The motor club have received a number of protests on one of the top contenders.

“Deck-him” McGettigan who was one of the first members of the Donegal Motor Club to put his name in the hat for the forthcoming white colour event is under the spotlight from fellow club members.

McGettigan who signed in as a Standard Production/ Showroom Class competitor but club members claimed they have already seen “Deck-him” out testing on a set of full slicks, which he is believed to have specially ordered in through the foot sportswear section of Michael Murphy’s.

Illegal re fuelling

Club official also claim to have information on traces of B1, B2 and dulce in his fuel intake and have also seen him on an unofficial fuel stop on the Port Rd to collect a chicken burrito with all the trimmings.

Fellow club members are demanding to have Mc Gettigan upgraded to a more suitable “modified class” when he was seen arriving at the press conference with a packet of Berroca Boast (mixed berries flavour) sticking out of his back trousers pocket.

‘Fight for The Stage’ with Donegal Motor Club

Donegal Motor Club is inviting local businesses to get behind a unique white collar boxing event this summer. ‘Donegal Fights for The Stage’ will see some of the biggest names in motorsport step inside the ring for a one-night-only boxing extravaganza. Taking place in The Mount Errigal Hotel on Saturday, 20th May, the event is the first of its kind for Donegal Motor Club and is expected to sell out.

Under the guidance of an expert trainer, novice fighters from a range of sporting backgrounds will hone their boxing skills in preparation for Fight Night. A host of competitors have already signed up to the event, however, there are still a number of fights to fill and anyone interested in taking part can contact the club directly.

There are also a number of sponsorship and advertising opportunities available for local businesses, including sponsorship of fights, boxers and rounds.

Brian Brogan is Chairperson of Donegal Motor Club and he’s encouraging people to get their tickets early to avoid disappointment: “There’s already been huge interest in this event and we’re looking forward to a great night in May.

“We still have a number of fights to fill and it’s a great chance to learn a new skill, so anyone interested in taking part in the white collar boxing should get in touch with the club directly. We’re also encouraging local businesses to come on board and support us, and, in turn, support The Donegal International Rally which benefits businesses across the county by bringing tens of thousands of visitors to Donegal each year.”

Anyone interested in sponsorship opportunities or getting involved can contact the Donegal Motor Club on 074 9126681. For more information, visit www.donegalmotorclub.com.

Please support this worthy cause.

Happy motoring folks.

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