Lisa Burkitt
Lisa Burkitt is a former producer and presenter on Highland Radio. Her first novel; The Memory of Scent, was published earlier this year and she is also published in an anthology of short stories; Best Paris Stories. She is currently working on her second novel.
This is her Donegal:
What is your favourite place in Donegal and why?
The back strand on Rutland Island. Generations of my grandmother’s line (the ‘Buckie’ Boyles) came from Rutland so it has a huge pull on me…apart from the fact that it is a stunning beach.
If you could change one thing about Donegal what would it be?
I don’t think it is necessarily a Donegal thing – but it is the random dumping. You can come across it on beaches, forests, the side of the road. Anything from take-away packaging, to mattresses, and everything in between. Nothing kills the beauty of a Donegal scenic view, than a discarded fridge.
Who is the one person in Donegal that you look up to and why?
I have an uncle, who is a priest (Fr. PJ McGlinchey) and who headed off to Korea as a very young man in the 1950s. Over the decades, and through practical hands-on initiatives (many of which he culled from Donegal ideas) he transformed hundreds and hundreds of lives from poverty to sustainability. He brought looms from Donegal and taught the women how to weave; he imported sows and distributed piglets to families; he transferred the idea of the Co-operative from his home county to his adopted country. He is not ‘in’ Donegal, but ‘of’ Donegal.
Daniel O’Donnell or Packie Bonner?
Oh No…this is like Sophie’s choice!! Given my aforementioned connection with the area – I have a soft spot for Rosses folk, so this is like choosing between two of my kin!
What has been Donegal’s proudest moment in recent years?
….and that song immediately pops into my head! You know the one…where he’s sitting on a beach in Lanzarote? It did the rounds for a bit. You might have missed it.
What was Donegal’s saddest moment?
To me, there is always something terribly tragic about losses at sea – and the Arranmore tragedy in 1935 was especially poignant. 19 victims, 17 coffins, countless families ripped through. It must still reverberate.
What is your favourite Donegal-made product?
Turf. Not exclusive to Donegal, I know, but it makes you think of home fires.
Who is Donegal’s greatest ambassador around the world and why?
I immediately thought of Clannad. Many years ago, I was living in Paris and I saw a poster that they were playing at a small venue there, so I went along. The effect that they had on the audience, just made me proud to be from Donegal. They brought this effortless, authentic sound, and you could almost feel the scree of Errigal underfoot. They brought Donegal, and the crowd loved it. This was one venue, in one city, in one country and I am sure it was replicated everywhere they went. Altan do this as well – in fact, any Donegal musician who picks up an instrument and makes people connect with them and their sense of place, is an ambassador.
Who is Donegal’s most successful businessperson in your opinion?
The late Hugh Greene was an example of common sense, vision, resilience and adaptability. Though his success came in New Zealand, he never lost his ties with Donegal. It takes guts to run a business…and in this climate, anyone who is surviving – is succeeding.
Who is your favourite Donegal sportsperson of all time?
I remember at the time, hearing about Danny McDaid training for the Olympics between his postal rounds (and often during). It was the first time I ever really considered the dedication required of sports people.
What is your favourite Donegal restaurant?
I want to say that I haven’t found it yet – because that gives me the excuse to keep experimenting and trying out new places. There are so many good restaurants around the county. For the best quiche – the coffee shop at Alcorn’s Garden Centre; for a good, well-cooked menu in a small establishment – Belle’s Bistro in Rathmullan; for a great, fresh selection of fish – Harry’s in Bridgend; for lovely home bakes in a nice atmosphere – the Starfish café in Dunfanaghy. And I find myself in the Yellow Pepper in Letterkenny a lot; Pat’s on the Square always worth a visit; Any pub that has good Guinness and serves a nice plate of smoked salmon and brown bread or bowl of mussels….I think I eat out too much.
Donegal’s golden eagles or basking sharks?
I am rooting for the golden eagles. They have fallen once to man’s deliberate eradication of them from the county and it would be a shame if the same thing was allowed to happen again in this century.
Your nomination for Donegal’s most stylish person?
I’m afraid I have had to think long and hard about this one. The former Minister James McDaid represented us well in the sartorial stakes. Noel Cunningham cannot but spring to mind – as you know that he puts a unique stamp on how he pulls himself together. But for effortless style that makes you turn your head in appreciation….ummmmm He or she is definitely out there….I’ll just have to think a little longer about it.
What is your favourite Donegal saying or expression?
‘Don’t cut the branch you’re sitting on’….courtesy of a lovely woman in Fanad, who has a raft of them, that I keep meaning to write down.
Will Donegal win the All Ireland next year?
There is no reason why they shouldn’t. And we’ll get to hear that song again, and again.
What is your favourite Donegal food?
Rathmullan House does a delicious Crab Linguine with crab from Ward Seafood of Burtonport.
Is there anything that really annoys you about Donegal or its people?
I am not convinced about wind farms, and would hate to see these giant turbines creeping across our skyline. ‘Wind energy’ sounds harmless, but we are implanting chunks of high-tech metal into our landscape.
If you had a million euro to spend on improving something in Donegal, what would it be?
A million euro would not go next nor near addressing the transport network which is so desperately needed for this county…so the next best thing is to put it towards that wall that the Goat’s Don’t Shave once sang about.