Shane McDermott is a Mental Health Nurse (graduate of LYIT) based in Letterkenny and Stay at Home Dad to his daughter Sally who has anaphylactic allergies to milk and egg.
He is also a Parent Blogger at www.dairyallergydad.com and runs his Instagram page @dairyallergydad documenting his daily antics with Sally and their poodle Carlsson. This is Shane’s ‘My Donegal.’
Where is your favourite place in Donegal and why?
There are so many great places in Donegal but if I had to pick one, it would be Rathmullan. It’s got the beach, the forest, the playground and many good spots to grab a decent coffee. It would seem to have it all. I’m back there nearly every week so it must be good!
Where in Donegal do you call home?
I am originally from Dublin but I have called Letterkenny my home for the best part of a decade. I may always be considered a blow–in but my daughter Sally was born in LUH so I’m claiming my Donegal Residency that way!
Who is the one person in Donegal that you look up to and why?
It has to be the main man, Packie Bonner. A Donegal/Irish legend who I look up to both figuratively and literally. He’s a big man and I’m 6’3!
What do you think is Donegal’s best tourist attraction?
Glenveagh National Park has to be one of the highlights of anyone’s trip to the NorthWest. When we have visitors, it’s always the first place we take them. I always brag about how lucky I am to have this amazing place in my back garden.
Do you prefer Donegal summers or Donegal winters?
Donegal summers by a mile! Our estate often turns into an ice rink in the winter where, if you have anything but a 4×4, you’ll probably end up abandoning your car at the bottom of the hill and walking home.
What would you do on your ideal day out in Donegal?
I would head straight for Downings for a pack walk on the beach with Sally and the fluffiest poodle in the west, Carlsson. I would then go up for a bite to eat washed down with a pint of Guinness at the Harbour Bar, looking out over Downings Bay and reflecting on how Donegal is a class the County. That’s how to spend a day!
What is your favourite Donegal-made product?
I’m all about gut health and the benefits of drinking kombucha and my favourite brand is Synerchi Kombucha, from a local brew-master based in Gweedore. I can’t recommend this stuff enough!
Who is Donegal’s greatest ambassador around the world and why?
The most prominent Donegal ambassador has to be good oul’ Daniel O’Donnell. My Granny’s all-time favourite musician. A cultural Irish icon! He waved at me once from his 10-foot parade float at the Mary of Dungloe festival. In fairness, I lifted my baby daughter Sally high in the air to get his attention! I even got a thumbs up. Sound man!
Who is Donegal’s most successful businessperson in your opinion?
John O’Donnell. No hesitation. Businessman and now, the Mayor of Letterkenny. Controversial choice but true!
Who is your favourite Donegal sportsperson of all time?
Packie Bonner again – the man! I might only have been 7 years old but I will never forget that save against Romania in Italia ’90. I was kitted out in the full yellow Goalkeepers kit and I’m pretty sure I fell off the couch as I was celebrating so much. The good oul’ days of Irish football.
What is your favourite Donegal restaurant?
My favourite place to eat is definitely Wholegreen in Letterkenny. My daughter was diagnosed with a dairy and egg allergy so their vegan options are ideal for our needs. Their cakes are dangerously good too. I usually order two slices just for myself!
If you could change one thing about Donegal what would it be?
I would love to see the introduction of one or two more vegan restaurants. I would really love a vegan takeaway for those Friday nights, junk-food cravings.
What is your favourite Donegal saying or expression?
I love the way you can use ‘Hi’ at the beginning or the end of a sentence. You can even use it at both the beginning and end! I was out with my friends from Dublin recently and I came out with, “Hi, its some fine day out there, Hi” They stared at me as if I had two heads!
What is the biggest challenge facing the people of Donegal today?
As a Mental Health Nurse and with some element of bias, I consider mental health difficulties to be some of the biggest challenges facing the people of Donegal today. Substance misuse is also a serious and increasing concern and can be a contributory factor in such challenges. With a growing youngster, it plays on my mind.
What is your favourite Donegal food?
You can get the best scones in Donegal and that’s a fact! I still argue that a scone is pronounced rhyming with ‘cone’ though! This is a contentious matter.
Is there anything that really annoys you about Donegal or its people?
This is not centralised to Donegal, but worrying about what others think (especially the neighbours) seems to be a nationwide obsession. Too much time is wasted worrying about what others think. Life is short and we should all be buoying each other up, not taking each other down.
Do you have a favourite local band?
The Beefsteak Dancers are a fine band and produce some great music and really get the crowd going!
If you had a million euro to improve something in Donegal what would it be?
It probably wouldn’t go far but I think it’s horrendous that cancer sufferers often have to endure journeys of up to 5 hours just to receive chemotherapy
Daniel O’Donnell or Packie Bonner?
I’m going with big Packie. Daniel can never match the heroics of Italia ’90.
Is there anything about Donegal that you are very proud of?
This is an easy one and is without doubt, my daughter. Donegal is the reason she is here and there is nothing in this world that makes me more proud than Sally.
