Eileen Sweeney is a Business Customer Advisor with AIB Bank Letterkenny, with over 30 years’ experience working in the Financial Services Industry in Ireland.
Eileen is a Qualified Financial Advisor and with extensive experience across the retail banking sector.
Eileen Sweeney
“As a Business Customer Advisor, my focus is on the delivery of ongoing superior customer service and advice to both existing and new business start-up. This is a lovely role, and I enjoy getting behind our customers’ ideas, and in particular how they come up with the names for their Limited companies. They all have a story to tell. It’s really satisfying when we can help our customer achieve their dreams and ambitions,” Eileen said.
Eileen is also a proud member of the Donegal Women in Business Network.
She said: “In AIB Bank, we work hard to provide strong customer relationship, and as a member of the Donegal Women in Business network, in particular, I have built up strong business relationships. This network is a credit to Donegal, but would not exist if not for the hard working committee, in particular, Evelyn, Patricia and Trish. The network is full of energetic, inspiring, like thinking women, who help each other achieve their dreams.”
Eileen Sweeney, Business Customer Advisor at AIB Letterkenny and Gaye McGoldrick, AIB Donegal Service and Sales Manager at a Donegal Women in Business Event
My Donegal… with Eileen Sweeney
(1) What is your favourite place in Donegal and why?
I have to say the waterfalls on the River Eany, in Inver, where I was born. They were just at the bottom of the field beside our home, You walked through a wooded area to the most beautiful falls. When the water was low you could even walk across the breast of the fall, and pick out trout from the hole on the side of the fall. Such good memories.
(2) What would your ideal day off in Donegal be like?
Walking up a mountain, with a few friends, my favourite is Muckish, as when you get to the top you have all that area to walk around on and such spectacular views. And of course a cold beer or two (Heineken) when you get back down. A friend of mine got me interested in walking, she took me up the Blue Stack for my first walk … 6 hours later we were still walking. And I love hill walking ever since.
(3) Who is the one person in Donegal that you look up to and why?
My Sister Mary, she has always done it her own way. She was very successful in the corporate world. And at the same time, she had looked at different alternatives, yoga, reiki, meditation etc., And has since given up the corporate world to devote her time to the Isha System, and is helping people around the world to deal with their issues. She is brilliant at understanding and helping people be the best of who they are. Mary has definitely kept me sane a number of times!
(4) Daniel O’Donnell or Packie Bonner?
Packie Bonner (sorry Daniel)
(5) What has been Donegal’s proudest moment in recent years?
Being called the ‘Coolest Place’ by National Geographic. I think that is fantastic. Donegal is such a fabulous county.
(6) If you could change one thing about Donegal what would it be?
Nothing, I love Donegal, it’s such a beautiful County. The infrastructure could improve, make it easier to access. Donegal is a hidden gem, so many have missed out on.
Donegal Women in Business Network members: Clare Mc Nickle, Eileen Sweeney, Dearbhla Kelly and Frances Spears
(7) What is your favourite Donegal-made product?
Donegal Tweed, is world famous, and Magee suits, they both remind me of my Dad. He was such a smart wee man, and loved to dress well.
(8) Who is Donegal’s greatest ambassador around the world and why?
What Davitt Walsh did that day to save the Baby in Buncrana was incredible. Such a brave, selfless act. I truly applaud that.
(9) Who is Donegal’s most successful businessperson in your opinion?
David Gildea (CloudRanger) – I just love David’s story. It a fantastic example of believing in yourself, and risking all for something you know will work. In a very short time David has had great success, but went through a tough time to get there. And had to get family support which is vital.
(10) Who is your favourite Donegal sportsperson of all time?
Michael Murphy, he is brilliant on the field, and a great leader. But he is such a good guy and has time for everyone. A great example to young people, and full of community spirit.
(11) What is your favourite Donegal restaurant?
It’s hard to name one, but, I love Pats Pizza, my daughter and I go there a lot, it’s one of our favourites, I have the organic salmon, and my daughter has the Pepperoni Pizza. They don’t really have to ask us what we want. Lovely atmosphere, and great food.
(12) What is your favourite Donegal saying or expression?
‘What’s the craic’
(13) What is the biggest challenge facing the people of Donegal today?
Brexit is a big challenge, it’s going on for so long, and we still have no idea how it will all end up.
(14) What is your favourite Donegal food?
Oh the wild salmon that my Dad caught in the Eany River. (I’ll not say how he caught them!!) My mum cooked it so well, all the Americans loved it. Nothing now tastes near as good.
(15) Is there anything that really annoys you about Donegal or its people?
Well the biggest annoyance at the moment is all the roadworks in Letterkenny. It’s a disaster getting home from work in the evenings. I appreciate the work has to be done, but oh dear the chaos is mental.
(16) Do you have a favourite local band?
I would be a big fan of RAW, love it when they are playing, it’s a brilliant night’s craic. And went to see Maris McCormack at the Jazz & Blues weekend she was brilliant as well. We have so much talent, again hard to choose. I love good music. (but not country)
(17) If you had a million euro to improve something in Donegal what would it be?
The roads, an airport in Letterkenny!!
Donegal Women in Business members at the launch of the AIB-sponsored hotdesk at the CoLab Letterkenny
(18) What has been the most exciting moment of your career so far?
I have been with AIB Bank for 37 years, it’s a lifetime!! I have enjoyed my Career with AIB Bank, they are a great employer, and I have made such good friends over the years. There has been a lot of moments in that time. Too many to mention at this stage. But I suppose one does stand out, last year I succeeded in getting the AIB Women in Enterprise event to Harvey’s Point in Donegal.
There was just 4 of these events held in the country: one in Cork, Dublin, Limerick and Donegal. So that was a great achievement for the county to get it to Donegal. It was a great event. I succeeded in getting the event to Donegal with, I must say, the help of the Donegal Women in Business (namely Evelyn). The Donegal Women in Business Network is such an energetic, enthusiastic organisation, that has a great dedicated committee, helping Donegal women in business to network, work and succeed together.
It was through my conviction that, in partnership with the Donegal Women in Business, we could make the Women In Enterprise event successful in Donegal – even if it was so far away from a main city!! It was agreed to hold the event in Donegal. And it was a success. That was a great day.
(19) Is there anything about Donegal that you are very proud of?
The people. There is great community spirit, especially when things go bad. Everyone helps each other out. That is something we could all be proud of. It’s just in us.
Would you like to share your views on Donegal? To take part in this interview series, just send us an email on info@donegaldaily.com
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