Seven things: You know you’re from Donegal when …

Don’t take the lord’s name in vain

When you’re from Donegal and living in Donegal, certain things are optional. And when you’re from Donegal and living outside of Donegal, certain things are obligatory. 

One such incidence of that is to firmly back anyone from Donegal. Take, for example, Daniel O’Donnell. Down the years there have been frequent cases of people, with next to no interest in Daniel and his musical career whilst at home, becoming his most fervent fans when living away. Been there. Seen that. Bought the T-shirt. Considered the tattoo. Seriously. The great man is a fantastic ambassador for the county, of course, and his recent appearance on the Late Late Show was the best guest the show has had. Ever.

Daniel O'Donnell t-shirts are hot property on buy-and-sell sites like eBay

Jim McGuinness is another. While his defensive football drew some negative attention from national circles back in 2011, nobody here was taking that and the year afterwards, Donegal had won a second All-Ireland title. And Mickey Joe Harte, of course, was basically robbed at the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest in Riga back in 2003 when “We Had the World Tonight” dominated the airwaves.