Evelyn Mc Glynn is a business/marketing consultant who is best known as Evelyn Mc Marketing. She is a Ballybofey native who spent many years in the not-for-profit sector before setting up her own business.
Evelyn is the PRO of the Donegal Women in Business Network and is a campaigner for ‘Donegal mammies’ all over the county. She facilitates training courses locally and has written and produced books including Freckles The Elf Christmas Magic In Ireland.
She is a woman who rarely misses a networking event or collaboration opportunity and is always eager to motivate others in business, education and volunteering. You can connect with her online at www.evelynmcmarketing.com
Trish McGinley, Deirdre McGlone and Evelyn McGlynn at the Donegal Women in Business Network Connect to Grow Conference at Harvey’s Point, 13th September 2017. Photo: Rachel McLaughlin, DonegalWoman.ie
This is Evelyn’s My Donegal:
(1) Where is your favourite place in Donegal and why?
Its hard to choose just one place but Glenveagh is very beautiful and peaceful and after enjoying the beauty of nature I can indulge in my passion for delicious cake in the tearooms there!
(2 ) How do you like to spend Christmas in the county?
With family, reading and eating(!) and remembering what life is really about and the value of having people you love around you and remembering those who are no longer with us but who have left a legacy of tradition for us all.
(3) Who is the one person in Donegal that you look up to and why?
Donegal Mammy, she is an institution in herself, she pulls it all together and supports and advises her family – whether they need it or not!
(4) What do you think is Donegal’s best tourist attraction?
Sliabh Liag is fabulous yet doesn’t get the attention it deserves , also all the beautiful beaches on our part of the Wild Atlantic Way are a major attraction for people to visit our county.
(5) Do you prefer Donegal summers or Donegal winters?
It has to be the winter, the colours especially in the Autumn, and the ability to escape into our own beautiful part of the world is very special.
(6) What would you do on your ideal day out in Donegal?
Walk the beaches, meet interesting people and listen to their stories and eat cake!
(7) What is your favourite Donegal-made product?
As PRO of Donegal Women in Business Network I really couldn’t choose! Donegal is rich in creative people and their work. Some going back for years and others creating new work day by day. Also creativity is not always about a product its the people who inspire and motivate and come up with innovative and exciting ideas in the county.
(8) Who is Donegal’s greatest ambassador around the world and why?
With many of our young people living all over the world now, whether it is by their own choice to travel and explore or through necessity.. I feel they are our greatest ambassadors. They share our culture and warmth of storytelling and promote how Donegal and Ireland is so unique.
(9) Who is Donegal’s most successful businessperson in your opinion?
Deirdre McGlone our president in Donegal Women in Business Network has used every opportunity to promote business and Donegal as a whole. She is a successful networker and knows the value of people working as a team to succeed in business.
(10) Who is your favourite Donegal sportsperson of all time?
Not much of a sports fan but as Finn Harps are the local soccer team in the county I have to admire how they work as a community to help grow what they do. Especially with their schools programme. Jim Mc Guinness inspired the county not only in sport but in how he delivered his message in following your dream to make it happen!
(11) What is your favourite Donegal restaurant?
With an all Ireland award, it has to be Blas in Donegal town. Whether it’s for morning coffee, lunch or dinner the quality and standard made it a deserving winner, so it’s usually my choice. But there are numerous coffee shops and tearooms throughout the county that I also love.
(12) If you could change one thing about Donegal what would it be?
Well the obvious would be transport and some form of train in the county, to think we had railway in the 50s and we let it go is very sad. My mum used to travel from Laghey to Belfast to get the boat to Liverpool , travelling through Barnes Gap in the mid forties.
(13) What is your favourite Donegal saying or expression?
It’s an old one….my dad used to say “Hold your wheest”!!! Not sure there is such word but it meant , be quiet don’t speak ill of others… a great lesson to remember…
(14) What is the biggest challenge facing the people of Donegal today?
Keeping community alive while technology brings such great changes in terms of employment and entrepreneurship. Helping and supporting the elderly in particular through these massive changes that impact their lives.
(15) What is your favourite Donegal food?
Football special…. in a cheesecake!
(16) Is there anything that really annoys you about Donegal or its people?
Like other parts of Ireland…a modern day problem… we never seem to have any “time” any more! We are always rushing and filling our life with being busy… my New Years Resolution is to make more time and make more memories!
(17) Do you have a favourite local band?
Without Willow…. a Letterkenny band that I heard recently at an enterprise event. I bought their cd and I play it constantly in the car…love it!
(18) If you had a million euro to improve something in Donegal what would it be?
Back to number 14… If I had a million to spare, I would help build and support communities through this new time of great digital growth. There are many people in our county who never learned what is now commonplace for a younger generation and some are lost. I would also build on initiatives to support women in the home and carers, who are not on the live register and have no incentives or initiatives to gain free further education or set up in business like those who are on the live register.
(19) Daniel O’Donnell or Packie Bonner?
Daniel is a great ambassador for the county and my friend Catherine in Galway is his biggest fan so she would never forgive me if I didn’t say Daniel!
(20) Is there anything about Donegal that you are very proud of?
I am very proud of Donegal, I love our accent and the people. I like the fact that we are welcoming and warm and that we have become world-renowned for all these great qualities.
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