By Diarmaid Doherty
THERE’S so much more to Brian McDaid’s fundraising ‘Drive of Ireland’ than the journey itself.
It’s a chance to mark a significant birthday milestone – he turns 60 on the day he plans to finish his round Ireland trip on January 11.
Perhaps more importantly, he’ll celebrate the memory of his dearly missed mum, Mary Ellen, whose anniversary occurs on the day he sets out – Tuesday, January 2.
The Donegal News staff photographer was only five when his mammy passed away in Letterkenny hospital in January 1970.
He has happy memories of his mammy, but for so many years, Brian has always associated Christmas as a time of sadness.
Thoughts often drift back to a time when himself and his three younger brothers sat outside the hospital in the car in the snow while their dad Fred called in to see their mammy.
In some ways, his fundraising challenge has allowed him an opportunity to park up that sadness, for now at least.
He wears a broad smile as he talks about the huge enjoyment he’s been getting since he finally decided to do something special this New Year.
And he can’t get over the reaction he’s been getting from people since he took to the road in his recently purchased Toyota Passo which will be tasked with bringing him on his journey.
The car might look the part thanks to a touch of magic from the staff at Signz in Dungloe – but you can’t help wondering why Brian didn’t go for something a bit more snazzy.
“It’s going to be a very relaxed run,” he points out.
“I wanted a car that’s a wee bit like myself – with signs of age on it. Something that shows that you have to take life a bit easier.”
He bought the car – now nicknamed ‘Betsy’ – after seeing it advertised for sale on Facebook. He didn’t realise at the time that it belonged to a family from South Africa who lived just up the road from his home at Glencar.
“It’s class,” Brian points out.
“I had been looking for something different, and this is just perfect. There’s a lot of the old Daihatsu in the car and that makes her quirky. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s very functional. You’ve even got the handbrake and the gear stick on the dash.”
Having the car on the road is the perfect way for Brian to advertise his fundraiser but he’s quick to point out that it’s about more than just raising money for his chosen charity, Donegal Hospice.
He completed a Mini to Monte Carlo fundraiser this time 18 years ago in memory of his good friend Eamonn Harvey who had passed away two years previously.
“When I think back on that time, the more I did the run for Eamonn, it actually brought out this ability in me to talk more openly about things. To talk about sadness at Christmas time,” he said.
“I’ll always associate this time of year with my mammy and there are so many other people out there who find Christmas difficult.
“You just have to get on with things, and I’m happy to do that. But not everyone can do that.
“People might see me landing in this wee car and think, ah I’ve to give this man money. That’s not what it’s about.
“If it starts a conversation, and maybe gets people chatting, that’ll do for me.”
Brian doesn’t want to single anyone out for all the support he’s received so far, but he says it’s all appreciated.
He’s not sure what route his journey around Ireland will take him, but his good friend Rory Kennedy has a map of the Circuit of Ireland from 1999 when he sat alongside the event winner Bertie Fisher.
Brian hopes to stop off at Bertie’s graveside in Ballinamallard on his travels. He plans to visit Manorhamilton too.
While born in Letterkenny, his address on his birth certificate refers to the Bungalow in Manorhamilton.
It’ll be another way of remembering times past.
In the meantime, social media followers can track the build-up to the fundraiser with Brian penning a series of short but beautifully written articles. He even tells us where the name ‘Betsy’ originated.
If you wish to donate to Brian’s fundraiser you can do so through the following link https://www.idonate.ie/DriveofIreland
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