Former Harvey’s Point hoteliers begin new chapter in France

‘La Belle Vie’ beckons for Donegal hoteliers Deirdre McGlone and Marc Gysling, who have fallen for a new business venture in beautiful France. It was love at first sight on Valentine’s Day, celebrating their wedding anniversary, when Deirdre and Marc were taken by a charming 700 year-old Mill in the south-west of France. The private holiday rental was for sale and seemed to fit perfectly into the couple’s ‘retirement’ dreams – if you call building a new business retirement. It’s been a year since the Gysling family announced the sale of Harvey’s Point but their passion for hospitality and tourism never waned. Deirdre told DonegalWoman.ie: “Marc and I always had a dream someday to retire to France, but our priority of course is the kids being at school and our family loving and living in Donegal. “We are really excited about this project and we hope to build Le Moulin brand so that it is synonymous with quality and exceptional customer service. In addition to offering Le Moulin as a holiday rental, we also hope to host wellness retreats. We believe that we can sprinkle our own kind of magic on Le Moulin.” The couple will swap their time between Donegal and France while their three teenage children continue to go to school in Donegal and spend their holiday time at the Moulin. Covid-19 has put the travel world on hold, but this has given Deirdre and Marc time to enhance the five star standard of the residence and focus on targeting the Irish, European and American markets in the future. “It all ties in with my continued involvement in tourism, promoting Donegal in France and vice versa,” Deirdre said. The business will command their complete attention this year, which is why Deirdre has announced a decision to step aside as President of the Donegal Women in Business Network. She will also take a backseat as a Lead Entrepreneur with ACORNS, the initiative supporting early stage female entrepreneurship in rural Ireland. Such dedication would be exactly the type of guidance Deirdre might offer one of her many business mentees. “I’m going to put my heart and soul into this, it’s like everything, like Harvey’s Point, I like to do things fully and completely and give it my all,” she said. Deirdre will remain a key part of the Donegal Women in Business Network as an ambassador and patron. “I would love to stay involved because I am so proud of the Network and I believe that it offers great support for businesswomen in Donegal,” she said. Three and a half years of leading the DWBN and thriving off the energy of events has been a pleasure for Deirdre. The network, which has close to 200 members, marked its 20th anniversary year in 2019. “I think Donegal is a shining light for many other networks, it’s a great success story for Donegal. It is giving a voice to women in Donegal, a voice that’s being heard,” she said. After 30 years in hospitality, Deirdre’s foremost thoughts lie with those in the tourism sector who stand to be hit hardest by Covid-19 closures and restrictions. But there could also be opportunities in the hills of Donegal, she said. “My heart goes out to people in tourism, but I do think the domestic market will recover, once people can travel in Ireland, I think the loyalty factor will come in again and people across the country will support businesses that need support now more than ever. “I would be confident that Donegal will continue to be a desired destination, in fact, more so now because people will less and less want to visit busy cities, less people can, and will, go abroad. After a very long pause, there will be a big boom of sorts in domestic travel and weddings towards the end of the year.” Deirdre’s business challenge lies further afield this time, but she is travelling with a unique confidence and knowledge that she has absorbed from other Donegal women in business. She said: “Our new project will be involve managing people and welcoming guests in a different country. It will take a lot of what I’ve learned over the years at Harvey’s and from women in business, it all stands in good stead. “I’m ready for my next business challenge myself, for 12 months I didn’t miss not having my own business but there was a natural entrepreneurial spirit lying dormant. It’s back now.”
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