Stylish, good looking and successful and that’s just his staff! Hairdresser Patrick Gildea is admired and respected in the business community across Co Donegal. He loves Donegal and here he tells us why.
What is your favourite place in Donegal and why?
St.John’s Point, near Dunkineely. I go there quite often and every time it makes me smile! So beautiful, rugged , peaceful ,and one of the few places that wasn’t spoilt by over development.
If you could change one thing about Donegal what would it be?
More sunshine and less rain. Donegal is so beautiful, imagine if we had more sun!!
Who is the one person in Donegal that you look up to and why?
I look out my shop window on the main street days and I see young Alan Doherty. Happy, making conversation and smiling after all he’s been through and I say there’s a brave guy!! So I admire him and look up to him!!
Daniel O’Donnell or Packie Bonner?
It would be unfair to separate , they’ve both been good guys for Donegal in there own way! But if I had to my mother always said to us growing up “why can’t ‘youse’ be like Daniel “! So!!
What has been Donegal’s proudest moment in recent years?
Winning Ulster, what a buzz and gave the whole county a lift, even the ones who don’t smile where smiling!!
What was Donegal’s saddest moment?
I like to be honest so I won’t answer, it’s been covered enough recently and you wouldn’t be able to print my reply!!
What is your favourite Donegal-made product?
I have a Magee of Donegal Tweed jacket, it is admired every time I wear it, I travel to different show events here and the UK and it is often admired, a friend recently was working on hair for a photo shoot and I was assisting him for a very famous fashion house “Bur…..” I took great pride and delight in telling these sartorially people exactly where it came from. PS – I’m not on commission.
Who is Donegal’s greatest ambassador around the world and why?
I am a big fan of Irish trad and for Donegal to have the fantastic talents of Enya, Clannad, Mairead ni Mhaonaigh , Daniel and many more it’s just amazing,they travel the world stage and use it as a platform to promote everything Irish & Donegal just in being themselves. Fair play to them!!
Who is Donegal’s most successful businessperson in your opinion?
As far as I’m concerned anyone keeping a business going in this climate is a success! But I do have a special spot for the small business sector, they’re the real grafters !!
Who is your favourite Donegal sportsperson of all time?
Patsy McGonigle. He’s a fantastic local ambassador.
What is your favourite Donegal restaurant?
The Wife’s Kitchen and no tip required!!
Donegal’s golden eagles or basking sharks?
It’s the sharks for me. So the wife keeps telling me!!
Your nomination for Donegal’s most stylish person?
Did DD put this Q in to test my modesty?– Many a man has TRIED to dress like him! Many have got it a little! Many have got scared! Many many have got it so wrong!! After all these years of Donegal men’s, wives, girlfriends, boyfriends, cousins ,aunties, grannies, bingo callers and even the pet dog trying to out dress the one and only MR DONEGAL SARTORIALIST.– Need I say more. XX PG.
What is your favourite Donegal saying or expression?
“Ahh it’s not a bad day”
Will Donegal win the All Ireland this year?
They have all the ingredient’s, I would be silently confident, if not this year it’s not far away, I think they’re touching Sam with their fingers!! YES WE CAN.
What is your favourite Donegal food?
Charlie McGee’s Fish&chip, coleslaw & a pint of milk.
Is there anything that really annoys you about Donegal or its people?
1) I’m annoyed and very angry that Donegal people have to emigrate for need, not by choice! 2) Individuals getting money, promotions or jobs through cronyism. 3)When it’s your turn to drive on a night out and nobody wants to go home.
If you had a million euro to spend on improving something in Donegal, what would it be?
1)Take away the 5 a side goal post arches on the main street. 2) Buy Letterkenny Rovers a spare cup for when Drumkeen united beat them!!. 3) Fund numbered cards for photographers to hand out to a politicians every time they stick there head in at a ribbon event to see who has the highest score at the end of the season. ” wonder is the league fixed?” 4) Finally on a more serious note I think St Vincent de Paul have been the silent hero this last couple of years, so a few quid to them.
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