The rest of February 1991 saw me settling into my new life in a cold, wet, and very green Donaghadee. I couldn’t believe how many different hues of that most Irish of colours, there actually was/is.
Living in the countryside 👇
My accommodation was on the outskirts of the ‘Dee – on a working dairy farm – where I shared a large rambling stone house with the recently divorced, owner of said establishment, Willie Donaldson. He was a quiet bloke Willie, but I liked him. He became a bit more lively after a few pints of Guinness – but, that didn’t happen very often as he seemed to work almost all the time.
I lived here 👇
Established in 1611!
[one of the strangest bars I have ever found myself in]
One of the oldest pubs in all of Ireland! ‘Gracie’s’ was established in 1611 as The Kings Arms. It was later named after Grace Neill who was given the bar as a wedding present by her father, Hugh Jamison. Grace Neill’s has been visited by smugglers, pirates, sailors and soldiers over the years. It is also reputedly haunted.
I did enjoy the odd glass of “black” (Guinness) there during my year in the small seaside town.
My “company” car 👇
The ‘Dee cricket club had arranged for me to drive an old Vauxhall Astra for my stay in their seaside town. In South Africa, we know this car as an Opel – as it is also called in Europe because that is where the cars are manufactured. While Vauxhall will make a few adjustments here and there, the overall design, for the most part, is identical.
Yes, Vauxhall is a British brand, but the car is German.
I was quite happy with my wheels for the season.
See you
Compiled, written & edited by Mark Wilson
For What It's Worth 
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