Danny Blair pens his views on life and politics

Politics should be a conversation about ideas, says author Danny Blair in the comfort of his sitting room. His new book, I, Danny Blair, has already sold out and the printers, Donegal Printers, have already been asked for a second run of his book.

“I’ve always had an interest in current affairs,” Danny says, recalling that he sat up at fifteen years of age to watch the general election results. The teenager watched as the results changed from Labour polling strongly in favour of the Tory party. It was as he grew up that politics took a hold of Danny.

“When you see things that are wrong, you just can’t help but think that this is not the way things should be,” he says with passion.

Born in Glasgow, Danny worked as a mechanical fitter having trained as an apprentice in 1971. He recalls the miners’ strike clearly. The miners’ strike from 1984 to 1985 was a bitter and divisive industrial dispute.

“I always had a mind to commit to paper what I thought. People think all I am interested in is Celtic but I have more to offer than that,” he says laughing.

A popular man, who can discuss sports, politics and everything in between, hundreds came out to attend the launch of his book in Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair recently. Danny admits he was afraid that only a handful of close friends would attend the launch but to his delight people came from near and far to support him.

The number of people who came out to attend the launch was so vast that some people had to stand in the foyet of the Gaoth Dobhair theatre to watch events inside the theatre on their phones.

On Tuesday evening, Danny was in great humour. He was delighted with how his evening went.

Proceeds from the book will go towards the Donegal Flights and Cancer Care services which are run from the award-winning Ionad Naomh Pádraig which is near enough the Blair family’s doorstep.

“I did the story in reverse order, I started with the diagnosis,” he said.

Sadly both Danny and his wife Anne received devastating news that they have cancer in 2018. Anne was diagnosed on August 10, 2018 and Danny was diagnosed later that October.

Anne is in a positive place. She has been told the cancer isn’t terminal and treatment needn’t start yet.

It was when Danny started chemotherapy he began writing his book. Danny said he couldn’t sleep and Anne said that during that time he would write during the night.

“I would wake up and he would be writing,” she recalls.

The welcoming house is one that is always full of activity and conversation. Anne is involved in a myriad of local events and works on a voluntary basis for many worthwhile local events.

Community and working together as a community is a thread that is evident in the Dore home.

Social justice and community are very close to Danny’s heart.

Danny discusses his youth in Glasgow, the mood of that time and changes the flow of conversation in an instant to discussing the Soviet Union and American politics seamlessly and easily.

His views are educated and nourished and cultivated with a common sense attitude and stems from a strong intellect.

Like many families in west Donegal, Anne and Danny Blair moved from Scotland to Gaoth Dobhair. The couple made the move in January 1988.

Danny worked in two local factories and also spent a tenure working with Donegal County Council in Dungloe. He enjoyed the work immensely.

“The interesting thing about the council is that they are such great people,” he said.

Many people affiliated with the council came out to support Danny at the launch.

Anne said they were overwhelmed by the support, warmth and reaction from people: “Friday night was beyond his wildest dreams - people went above and beyond,” Anne said.

Danny agrees commending Ionad Dhobhair for all they do for the community: “They are just fantastic.”

Casting his mind back over his journey, Danny says he finds he has forgotten the harder more testing times.

“You know, you remember funny things and forget the bad things,” he says.

Anyone who would like to donate towards the worthy charities, they can do so by going to the I, Danny Blair - Book Launch fundraiser on GoFundMe.com.