A match made on St Patrick's Day in Donegal - Deirdre McGlone and Marc Gysling

This feature is in our current edition of Donegal Life magazine, available in newsagents across the county

Hoteliers Deirdre McGlone and Swiss native Marc Gysling have played a major role in developing tourism in Donegal, and in particular, the Lough Eske area.

Part of the Harvey’s Point team from the start, Deirdre went on to be honoured as Donegal Person of the Year for her immense contribution to the county.

Together with Marc’s late brother Jody, they were the ‘Three Musketeers’ whose vision for Harvey’s Point and whose warm and authentic Donegal welcome made it a world renowned and multi-award winning hotel, fine dining establishment, and highly sought after wedding venue.

It was while pursuing this shared passion that Deirdre and Marc fell in love, got married and raised their family.

They have since passed the baton at Harvey’s Point, and have taken their combined expertise and Donegal hospitality to their latest labour of love, restoring Le Moulin Sur Célé in south west France, and welcoming guests to this beautiful accommodation.

Home in Donegal earlier this year, Deirdre spoke to Donegal Life about why St Patrick’s Day is such a special part of their lives.

Relationship & Traditions: 

How long have you been together?  

Destiny and Jody Gysling (Marc’s late brother and founder of Harvey’s Point)  brought Marc and I together on Saint Patrick’s Day, 1989. Sean Mc Cafferty’s Bar  in Donegal Town was the place where our eyes met over a pint of Guinness. We  had both been selected by Jody to join his small team for the forthcoming  opening of his guesthouse and restaurant, Harvey’s Point. We’ve been together  ever since - some 36 years later.  

What are your favorite St Patrick's Day childhood memories? 

I loved going to Mass with the family and it was beautifully said in Irish. Back in  the day when Lent was a big thing in our house, we were allowed ‘break lent’ to  have sweets on St Patrick’s Day. We would have gone for a big lunch in the  National Hotel or the Central Hotel, Donegal Town.  

Do you have any Irish heritage and how do you celebrate your roots?  

Both my parents were from Ireland - my mother was born and reared in Ballintra,  County Donegal as part of a farming family and my father was born in County Tyrone.  Having qualified as a teacher, he spent his early teaching days in Scotland but he  moved home to Donegal to teach in the Convent of Mercy, Ballyshannon. I grew  up in a family of six siblings. My husband, Marc was born in Zürich, Switzerland  but he’s now an Irish citizen (he calls himself a ‘Swiss Paddy’ :-) Our three  children, Carl, 22, James, 21 and Christina, 19, have dual citizenship (Ireland / Switzerland) but they consider themselves more Irish than Swiss.  

What's your favorite St Patrick's Day memory together?  

For many years, we participated in the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Donegal with a  team of Clydesdale horses pulling Harvey’s Jarvey. It was always a big day out for our family and the hotel team.  

Do you have any funny or embarrassing St Patrick's Day stories? 

I recall one year when we chose a wedding theme for Harvey’s Jarvey. We asked  our staff to dress up as though attending a wedding and we supplied them with  lots of wine. Needless to say, a jolly time was had by all. The driver of the horses  was a man called Bertie and he had a habit of stopping the parade to go into  Sean Mc Cafferty’s for a quick drink (or two). He was a genius with horses and a  great character full of fun and ‘divilment’. Then, my sister-in-law found herself in  need of a visit to the toilet and she had to jump off the wagon and into a local  house to relieve herself. Everyone in the parade patiently waited for her. It was a  lovely day of laughter and camaraderie.  

Food & Drink: 

What's your go-to St Patrick's Day meal or drink and why? 

For breakfast, a full Irish fry is the order of the day and for dinner, it has to be  bacon and cabbage with all the trimmings followed by bread and butter pudding and Irish coffee.

Do you prefer Guinness or Irish whiskey? 

We both love Guinness. Our love story evolved when Marc and I made a deal for  me to teach him English in return for pints of Guinness.  

Marc enjoys a wee tipple of the legendary Irish Silkie whiskey created by Sliabh  Liag Distillers in Ardara, County Donegal.  

Fun & Games: 

What's your favorite St Patrick's Day activity? 

We love meeting family members, friends and neighbours in Donegal Town to  celebrate the ‘drowning of the shamrock’.  

What's your favorite St Patrick's Day music?  We love listening to music from The Chieftains, The Dubliners, Paul Brady and  Van Morrison. More recently, we enjoy the music of the brilliant Donegal group,  Onóir.  

Fashion and Fun: 

Do you have a favorite St Patrick's Day accessory or outfit?  I have an elegant green shawl made by Magee of Donegal and a Tara brooch.  

Have you ever worn a funny St Patrick's Day costume?  

Marc has an Irish leprechaun costume which is very cute.  

St Patrick's Day Plans: 

Are you spending St Patrick’s Day at home or away this year, and how will you mark the day?  

Last year we were in France, and while I was a bit homesick for Donegal, we  hosted an Irish party at Le Moulin. I made Guinness and walnut bread served with  smoked salmon and Marc made bacon and cabbage. Our French neighbours loved  the experience. This year, we’ll be home in Donegal to celebrate our national saint. We’ll attend the parade in Donegal Town and pop into McCafferty’s, the Reel Inn or the Forge. We hope to book a table in Harvey’s Point or Biddy’s O’ Barnes for some traditional Irish fare.  

What traditions do you hope to pass on to your children?  

Our children share our passion for Donegal and while their academic studies  bring them to Dublin, Toulouse and Luxembourg respectively, Donegal will always  be ‘Home’ and St Patrick’s Day an important day in the calendar.  

While enjoying life in France, Deirdre is certainly remaining true to her Donegal roots. She tells us:

Having re-located to France, our experience is that the French people love the  Irish people and they are big fans of our music, culture and philosophy of  enjoying life. They may think that their cuisine is superior and for sure their wine  is top class. However, no-one does hospitality like the Irish!