Donegal mourns rally driver and fisherman Cyril Bolton

The twin passions of rallying and fishing saw Cyril Bolton make Donegal a second home.

Tributes have been paid following his death on Sunday.

The late Mr Bolton owned the gate house at the Glenmore Estate near Ballybofey. He sold the house back to the McElhinney family two years ago.

As a rally driver, he competed several times in the Donegal International Rally. He returned many times after retiring from competition.

In 1985, he finished third overall in a Manta, returning a year later to finish third in a Metro 6R4.

He had ninth-place finishes in 1984 and ’84, first in a Triumph and then a Chevette, while he had a similar finish at the wheel of a Sierra Cosworth in 1988.

Bolton’s NCK has been regarded by enthusiasts as the ‘ultimate road rally mini'.

From Ribchester in Lancashire, he also had a passion for salmon fishing. A private individual, he would regular come to fish on the Finn, even before taking part in the Donegal International Rally.

He regular stayed in Cloghan Lodge before buying the gate house, at which he would spend the summer months.

“He fell in love with the river Finn and the area,” said one local who knew him. “He loved to fish here. He would have kept a low profile and was very private, but he was such a nice person.”

A spokesperson for the Donegal International Rally said he had brought ‘top class machinery to the Hills scoring some fantastic results along the way’.

The spokesperson said: “It’s fair to say Donegal left a lasting impression on Cyril as he made many a return journey to Donegal when he hung up the rally helmet and boots.”