By Diarmaid Doherty
AFTER weeks of preparation, plotting and planning, Brian McDaid and his trusty ‘Betsy’ have hit the road.
This morning the Letterkenny man left his home at Old Glencar Road to start off on a journey that, as he says himself, will be as much about enjoying the moment, as remembering times past.
Brian’s charity ‘Drive of Ireland’ will help raise much needed funds for Donegal Hospice.
The rally enthusiast and Donegal News staff photographer wanted to do something that bit special to mark his 60th birthday on January 11 and driving around Ireland in his recently purchased Toyota Passo – nicknamed Betsy – offers him the perfect chance to get behind the wheel and spend a few days on the road.
Today, January 2, also marks his mother Mary Ellen’s anniversary.
Brian was only five when his mammy passed away in Letterkenny hospital in January 1970.
Her anniversary is never an easy time, but Brian hopes to celebrate his parents, Fred and Mary Ellen’s memories in a happy way by including them on his Drive of Ireland whenever he can.
His first port of call on today was Fanad.
Brian’s father Fred was working on the peninsula with the ESB that day 54 years ago when word came through that Mary Ellen had lost her lengthy battle with illness.
Brian will also stop off in Manorhamilton.
While born in Letterkenny, his address on his birth certificate refers to the Bungalow in Manorhamilton.
“I’ll try and call in at the chapel in Manorhamilton when I’m there,” Brian points out.
“At least I’ll know for sure that my mother will have been there before me.”
It’ll be strange, but Brian insists he wants to make this a happy experience.
He cherishes old photos and memories of family times past.
And as he gets set to turn 60, those happy memories mean more than ever.
After Manorhamilton, Brian will head down the west coast towards Mayo and Galway, eventually reaching Killarney in Co. Kerry.
At one time, Killarney was an important stage on the Circuit of Ireland.
“I’ll be in Circuit of Ireland country then,” Brian said.
“I hope to drive a couple of the stages – just to take them in and enjoy them.”
From Kerry, Brian plans to head east, traveling to Waterford and up until Wicklow and further up the coast towards home.
His good friend Rory Kennedy has been helping him plan his journey and has given Brian a map of the Circuit of Ireland from 1999 when he sat alongside the event winner Bertie Fisher.
“When you were following the Circuit of Ireland, getting back to the Ulster stages of the rally was a big part of the trip. It meant you were nearly home,” Brian said.
“That’s one of the things I remember. So maybe there’ll be a few memories of that time too. Like pulling in at Kelly’s Roadhouse. There was a crowd of us piled into Joe 90’s Hiace mini-bus and we all hopped out there on our way home one year.”
Despite the Drive of Ireland only beginning today, Brian says he’s been on the journey for weeks at this stage.
Since purchasing his trusty Toyota Passo and launching his iDonate page, the support and donations have been pouring in.
“It’s been unreal,” he points out.
“I can’t thank people enough and there have been so many who have helped me with support and contributions along the way.”
The amount donated to the iDonate page (www.idonate.ie/ fundraiser/DriveofIreland) has passed €6,600 and cash donations are still pouring in.
“It’s amazing too to see the anonymous donations coming in,” Brian said.
“You see them giving something and you wonder who it is, and how you can connect with them.
“It’s just brilliant and to everyone who has donated so far, I’d like to say a big thank you.”
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