Room to be impressed! TV star Dermot Bannon amazed by Donegal

Celebrity architect Dermot Bannon was spotted back in Donegal last weekend enjoying some highlights of Inishowen.

The ‘Room to Improve’ star wasn’t here to revamp anyone’s home this time, but for a leisurely holiday by the sea.

The team at Fort Dunree were delighted to welcome a special guest on Saturday when Dermot showed up with friends for a kayaking experience.

“He’s never done kayaking before and he loved it. He said he loved Donegal,” said staff member Bernadette Long.

Fort Dunree is a popular military museum which boasts breath-taking views of Lough Swilly and natural scenery.

Water-sports enthusiasts can kayak beneath the fort with Inish Adventures and discover the many caves and rock formations at the historical site.

“A lot of people travel to us to do the kayaking. Within minutes you are in caves. Dermot and his friends were well impressed,” added Bernadette.

Dermot Bannon’s special edition of Room to Improve with Daniel and Majella O’Donnell was RTE’s fourth most watched programme of 2018. Over 860,000 viewers tuned in to see the property show, which was set in Daniel’s homeland of Kincasslagh.

Dermot’s summer weekend in Donegal took him to Ballyliffin on Sunday. He went swimming at the local beach and called into Nancy’s Barn to sample their famous dish – the ‘World’s Best Chowder’.

The seafood dish went down a treat, according to award-winning Chef Kieran Duey Doherty.

“Dermot loved the chowder and Nancy’s Barn and he plans to return again,” Kieran said.

After dining on the terrace, the architect also checked out the restaurant building and offered his expert advice.

“He said not to change Nancy’s Barn’s structure as it was perfect and he loved it with loads of glass to the rear of it,” Kieran said.

So, no Room to Improve there!

Kieran added that their celebrity visitor was a “real gentleman” and that he plans to return to Inishowen again soon.

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