Letterkenny man Michael Cliffy Kelly is well-known across Donegal and always has a smile for people he meets. He is Business Development Manager with Eir Business. This is his My Donegal.
Where is your favourite place in Donegal and why?
The village of Church Hill. My wife Bernie runs Mary Alice’s Tea Room in the village and there is a great community spirit there. Both myself and Bernie’s family have strong family roots in the Church Hill and Glenswilly area so it was a pleasure to have the opportunity to open a business here. It is such a beautiful and tranquil place with loads for everyone to do with the new playground, The Glebe Gallery, Gartan Outdoor Centre, The birthplace of St. Colmcille to name just a few. It really is the scenic route to Glenveagh.
Where in Donegal do you call home?
Born and raised as a townie in Letterkenny but married to Bernie with two beautiful daughters Lauren and Shannon in beautiful Dunfanaghy for the last 17 years.
Who is the one person in Donegal that you look up to and why?
My father Hugh Kelly. A hard-working man all his life with over forty years on the road for Ever Ready batteries and the father of six children which was not always easy for him. We never went without. If I can be half the man and father that he is, I will be a very content man.
What do you think is Donegal’s best tourist attraction?
Glenveagh National Park. Don’t go the main road. Go the scenic route via New Mills Flax Mill, Church Hill and Gartan. Sure you can stop off for a wee cuppa in Mary Alice’s when you’re passing
Do you prefer Donegal summers or Donegal winters?
Donegal Summers. The best County in Ireland when the sun is beaming down
What would you do on your ideal day out in Donegal?
Anywhere along the Wild Atlantic Way but in fairness when you live Dunfanaghy or have a business in Church Hill your ideal day out is on doorstep anyway.
What is your favourite Donegal-made product?
It’s hard to beat a nice fresh steak from Paddy Gildea’s farm. You know what you are getting and where it came from when you order at the counter at Gildeas Butchers at the foot of the town. You might even get a wee discount from Lee if Glenswilly won at the weekend.
Who is Donegal’s greatest ambassador around the world and why?
Daniel O Donnell. He is known worldwide and is always promoting Donegal. I have met him a few times and he is always a gentleman. Always very accommodating. I had a recent charity auction and he donated two tickets for his concert as a prize.
Who is Donegal’s most successful businessperson in your opinion?
In my opinion, it has to be Patrick J Doherty (Falcarragh or better known now as a Gweedore man) A true gentleman and entrepreneur who has changed the landscape, economics and fortunes of many towns in the County and has created untold employment. An unsung hero.
Who is your favourite Donegal sportsperson of all time?
Michael Murphy. Another unassuming gentleman who just gets the job done. The current level and talent of football in Donegal today is all down to him and the achievements and rewards that he brought back to Donegal. Not only at County level but also at club level. Ask any child in the County today which who their favourite GAA player is……..Answer Michael Murphy
What is your favourite Donegal restaurant?
Kellys Diner at the mountain top. The “best wee diner this side of El Paso” Always great food and service and is very family-friendly.
If you could change one thing about Donegal what would it be?
Bring the railway back. It has to be the worst decision ever made to rip it up and sell it off. A serious loss to the wee County.
What is your favourite Donegal saying or expression?
My granny Daid from the foot of the town used to have a wonderful saying every time we sat down at her kitchen table to eat:
Eat you fill now, when you’re fills at you,
You’ll get more wee filly more,
When you’re done with whats that
Which basically means eat it now when you’re hungry and you’ll get more if you’re still hungry. I still repeat it to this day to my own children when we sit down to eat.
What is the biggest challenge facing the people of Donegal today?
Brexit. Don’t even get me started on this one.
What is your favourite Donegal food?
Tough one this but it has to be the mini sliders at Backstage beside the cinema or the homemade scones at Mary Alice’s
Is there anything that really annoys you about Donegal or its people?
It’s not promoted enough to the visitors from abroad who land at Dublin airport and are directed to the South of the country. Although it has changed slightly with likes of the Wild Atlantic Way, the Open at Ballyliffin, Sliabh League Cliffs, Glenveagh Castle etc I believe more can and should be done to highlight all that is good in this wonderful county. Up here it is different. It’s better.
Do you have a favourite local band?
Ego Minefield
If you had a million euro to improve something in Donegal what would it be?
I would invest the whole lot in Church Hill. It’s worth every penny
Daniel O’Donnell or Packie Bonner?
Daniel O Donnell
Is there anything about Donegal that you are very proud of?
I am proud of my wife Bernie and children Lauren and Shannon for all the hard work that they put into Mary Alice’s on a daily basis. I work full time during the week as a BDM for Eir business and only get the chance at the weekends to be there. Without them there would be no Mary Alice’s. I am proud that we have a family business in the village as Bernie’s grandmother was from Corderry in Glendowan and the tea room is named after her. I’m proud to call Donegal my home.
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