Joint owner of Killybegs Seafood Shack & Anderson’s Boathouse Restaurant, Killybegs. Views are my own as are my moves!! No DMs (from people I don’t know please)
Our son has his first disco tomorrow night. He’s 15. He was trying to rise me today & jokingly said “this time tomorrow night I’ll be pasted”. “Do you mean plastered?” I said. The innocence of it all. It has me smiling all day. (I’ll plaster him btw if he’s not joking). 😂😂
My friend is in Italy right now. (Lucky duck). Here’s what she posted earlier today… Overheard in Italy
North American girl : “can you cook the pasta more, so it’s not al dente?
Waiter : No”
The end -
I was asked yesterday by a lovely British couple (who had just sailed into Killybegs harbour), if we would celebrate the Queens Jubilee here in Ireland. I nearly didn’t know how to answer & just kept thinking “they are so lucky they asked me” because I am polite & have manners.
Where do we all stand on fake tan for us Irish women who never see the sun? Our 14 yr old daughter hasn’t started using it. Has beautiful very pale skin. She’s being told (not by me) that she needs to be brown to be prettier. It’s mad! We need to normalise paleness.
My seafood shack is being forced to close because of the need for a bus stop. My heart is broken to be honest about it. I’m there 8 yrs with no issues. I was given notice on Monday to be gone by 22nd May. I’m just not one bit happy but getting lots of online support.
We had another no show this evening. I tried calling to confirm booking earlier. No answer. So that person can now never make a booking in our restaurant again. Under their own name anyways. Northern Irish mobile number. Wish people would realise what this does to businesses.
Any journalist be interested in a hospitality worker (me) sending them an email about what we are going through trying to cope with the staycationers that are here and nowhere else is open? We can’t cope, are under pressure. I had a woman practically scream at me on Sunday.
Nervous today. I’m opening in my new location. I do feel that with a bit of support I could have continued to help bring people to our area. I can’t describe how upset I’ve been the last 2 weeks. But will try & make most of new location. I just wish I had been given more notice.
At Dublin airport and I can honestly say, without a shadow of a doubt that this place is an utter disgrace. It’s embarrassing as our national airport The amount of people going thru it and trying to check in & get coffee and food, has absolutely nothing to do with staff shortages
Just on the phone now to AIB, I am enquiring about whether we can now lodge cash into our business account. Or do I now need to drive 30 mins to lodge it, sorry drive for 30 mins there & 30 mins back. We’re one of the 6 Donegal branches affected going cashless.
Are these the best photos!? Callum Hurley from Killybegs, his mother works with me in the shack, safe to say his dreams were made yesterday. Just love this. ❤️🙌
I have to share this video far & wide. Friends of my nieces from Galway. They came to Killybegs, toured the area, ate in the restaurant, living their best lives. I’ve been trying (badly) to tell people to come, experience this,for 20 yrs. She’s managed to capture it in 1 minute🙌
I know I’ve posted this before, we bought the trailer on the left when we had nada, I mean zilch (money wise). Managed to open the Seafood Shack, kept our heads down, worked harder then I’ve ever worked before, opened a restaurant off the back of it. Not finished yet either. ❤️🦐
My gorgeous son and his absolutely stunning girlfriend Sophia on her debs night in Killybegs. Like I just said on facebook, they are great (nearly adults!) that work hard & they so deserve to get out and let their hair down. Does the heart good. ❤️💃
Am feeling really defeated today. We traded as a restaurant for 6 months last year. Knowing we would reopen & pandemic wouldn’t last forever, but was tough, tough going. Why am I attacked like I’m a villain every time I post about there being no chefs. It’s v very upsetting.
I am so disappointed with
@SkyIreland
Can’t honestly believe I’ve been with a company that treats their customers so badly for 20 odd years. If I treated my customers like this, I wouldn’t be in business for long. Why do we keep letting these type of companies get away with this?
Really hope
@rhasidatadeleke
knows how much she is idolised and appreciated here in her home country of Ireland. People will say ridiculous things hiding behind screens. Hate that people have upset her like this. 💔
One of our front of house asked me at the weekend how much to charge for a baby bowl, soup & mash. I can’t do it. I can’t charge for it… 😂 go on, what’s ye’re thoughts!?
Had a customer tell me today that he has lived in Ireland for 15 years and that MY fish and chips are the best he’s ever eaten here. It’s drop the mike time… I’ll take that!😂 Lots of compliments today on the food. Was a good day at the Seafood Shack. 💃💃
Is there anything nicer than a fish & chips and look, like I keep telling people, if you’re going to be bad, once & a while it’s ok, but do it properly and have a full fat coke. 😂 None of your no sugar/ diet drink nonsense here at the Seafood shack in Killybegs. 🎣❤️
Boathouse Restaurant, Killybegs has officially opened. I can honestly say right now that every single person who opens a restaurant should receive some kind of medal for bravery, this was toughest thing we have ever done, and we love every single second of it..
And so it begins. The Seafood shack is opening on Friday for definite. I’ve told the world and now it will happen. Actually miss my own calamari..! Not the same at home.
For the first time, this is what a Master’s degree looks like.
Today, my daughter
#RachelHandlin
became the 1st person with
#Downsyndrome
to earn a graduate degree.
In the world.
Ever.
Rachel says: “I won’t be the last.”
@CalArts
BFA 2020.
@PrattInstitute
MFA 2024.
Legend.
Wednesday session is proving to be a hit, at the restaurant in our courtyard. Who knew all you need is great music, beautiful food, fab wine. We have lots of famous people popping in this year. All I’ll say is, Donegal is where it’s at this year.
#Killybegs
#Donegal
So that’s us out of our vulture fund mortgage, since today. Still have a mortgage to pay but at least not paying 8% interest rate 🙈 How our respective leaders have allowed this to happen the way it has is beyond me. It’s nothing short of criminal.
My amazing husband is booking me the Spanish Camino(The last leg of it)I nearly went years ago, I struggled for years with my parents dying & took me so long to come to terms with it all. I knew I needed this then. Going in Sept. No phone, no emails, no work. Just walk for 7 days
1) Our only fish shop in Killybegs is closing “we will be closing the shop indefinitely at the end of Sept. With the current economic crisis, ongoing increase in costs & lack of supply of fish, it has made the business unsustainable.”
We posted a job for a commis or a chef de partie a few weeks ago. Wages will depend on experience. Not one application. I’m not sure what is going to happen to restaurants. It’s very worrying.
My wee shack is closed for the season, wee bit prematurely but c’est la vie. Hopefully next year will go smoother. Getting staff seems to be biggest obstacle for us all. Everyone off to college. My team played a blinder this season.
#killybegsseafoodshack
#irishseafood
.
5 yrs ago Garry was working for a fab co. he even won an all expenses paid holiday to Hawaii, went to North shore to a shrimp trailer (We didn’t have 2 cents to rub together), We started the seafood shack a few months later after going there, we haven’t looked back
#takethechance
So that’s me. Off in the morning. Flying thousands of miles to walk on my own for a week. It makes sense to me, ok 😂😂 I’ve wanted to do this for sooo long, I need a re set. So finally doing it all, thanks to my hubs who will be holding down all the forts while I’m away.
Quietly optimistic about our purchase we made a couple of years ago. Have had anxious moments of feeling like we bit off more than we could chew. All we needed was the sun to shine a lick of paint to see potential. Getting so much support. Like I said ‘quietly optimistic’. 🙈❤️
The 174 steps that lead down to Donegal's Malin Beg. Also known as 'Silver Strand' (yes, there's around 30 beaches with this name in Ireland), Malin Beg is arguably one of the Wild Atlantic Way, more impressive beaches. From ‘Irish Road trip’ post. Photo licensed from Lukassek.
#savetheshack
- Sign the Petition! via
@Change
Hopefully I’ve done this right…! If you could sign my petition please. Thank you for taking the time. I do appreciate it. M.
Facebook memory from 1 year ago today. My mother in law knitted me this jumper. Gosh it’s gotten some good wear this last year. I think she’s has knitted about 20 jumpers since then, maybe more. Keeping herself busy during pandemic.
One of the girls at work telling me about customers who came from Galway to eat in the restaurant last night, because they had heard such good things about it. Now isn’t that fab!!? They did stay over too like. But what a lovely testament to our chefs amazing cooking skills. 💅
We bought an old building in killybegs, after hymning and hawing for a while. We may be absolutely crazy & we still have to get plans finalised, and permission etc granted. We’re a mill miles away from it being finished.🙈But I am so excited #❤️killybegs
#labouroflove
#keeptheold
Here is my hubby & I in Hawaii a few years ago. This is where the idea for the Seafood Shack actually came from. The wee business that has changed our lives and enabled us to open a restaurant & maybe more businesses in the future. If anyone has an idea, go for it, is my advice.
Can’t wait for people to be allowed to travel again. Our roads may be windy and narrow here but the beaches and natural coastline make up for it. Just come and stay a few days. Take you time and enjoy it all. This beach is within my 5km. We’re very lucky this way.
@govisitdonegal
I really want to start up a social media platform called. ‘Vent’. Just have an auld Vent about your day. No one can respond to tell you to shut up or to wise up. 😂🤷🏻♀️ They can only respond with set words like ‘poor you’, ‘you’ll be ok’, ‘you got this’. 🙌
It’s my Dads 12th anniversary today. This is him after Co. Down won their first All Ireland in 1960 & I’ve only just learned he apparently went up to meet my mother (in photo) too. They weren’t married yet & his brother who looks like him stayed to sign autographs, as him.😂❤️
Ok. London may be buzzing with great, different, cool clothes shops. Lots of amazing restaurants and shows etc. But it doesn’t have this just around the corner from it. 😂😂 Home again to peace & tranquility of Donegal life.
Garry & I worked in the kitchen last night together. We had a sneaky drink after work (which we never do) had a chat with more fab people, like ourselves, in the industry, look at the sky on our walk home. Just the most glorious, starry sky.
Folks, it’s 14.5 degrees today in Killybegs, Donegal and the sun is shining. I repeat, the sun is shining. I feel like I need to tell the world. 😂. Have the loveliest weekend everyone.
@1dor
So sorry to hear this. Our son started Jiu jitsu a couple of years ago..! and I’m so glad he did. I think we are needing all our children to learn self defence nowadays. Really hope your son is ok? X
Our plan is to open for lunch now & to have an earlier dinner offering. Last seating will now be 6pm from Sunday onwards. We will also be offering a take away menu from next week onwards too. One of our team will be in touch with everyone who has made a booking. #❤️irishseafood
Painting like a wee demon yesterday. Getting some stick for lots of media exposure. Lots of untruths being said on facebook. Really does grind my gears. Hate lies /untruths (and small mindedness!)
#bekind
#forgodssake
also don’t comment when you don’t know. Reminds me to do same.
My gorgeous 14 year old boy was tasked to write an essay about someone he most admires.... (I have to brag!!) go on guess who he chose. I could actually cry 😭😭. He said he’s so proud of his Mama. Again 😭😭 😂
Not sure If there is sound on these videos when I post them here but this is turning into a daily occurrence. Especially when I’m late for work. Little fecker AKA Archie is plonking himself under my car so I can’t leave. Aaagghh & I’m always late (as my poor team can attest)😂
Lemon sole with a prawn bisque and king prawns.. ❤️❤️Anderson’s Boathouse Restaurant, Killybegs. I’m actually spoilt lads. Maybe my family who have been telling me my whole life were right all along.
Anyone else decide they should open up their seafood shack on good Friday and has only been off for 6 months and isn’t at all ready. Anyone else, no!!!?
We need more places open. This is not working. I really don’t understand what is happening. This happened last year too, didn’t it? Rude customers, staff dealing with unreasonable people.
This has been a difficult week getting up & running again. Then to top it all off we were given a fake €50 note and a guy scarpered without paying for 2 fish & chips. We missed around 60 phone calls today & stillmanaged to feed around 270 lovely people. (-2) Life is continuing.
Shack will be back in action soooooooonn. I am literally getting harassed in the street with people asking me when I’m reopening for the season. Weather just needed to wise up a bit (& a few other logistical nightmares happening as well) Looking forward to reopening. ❤️
Amidst the doom and gloom, we start to focus on food again, am so happy to live where I do and be able to access the freshest, most beautiful seafood in the world. Wee taste of our seafood offering on 1 plate. John Dory, halibut, monk fish, scallops, crab claws. #❤️irishseafood.
Someone I know sent this to me yesterday. Hanging in a bar called the The Dead Rabbit, in New York. How unbelievably cool is this? I really do have to make it to New York some day, I think I’ll like it there (especially seeing what good taste they have!)
#killybegs
#NewYork
Folks,I have booked about 5/6 tables of 20-30 people(half our restaurant in size) for the coming weeks. Families & friends are getting together to celebrate life again, It’s so lovely. Please let this last. 🙏 I’m seeing businesses scrape social distance signs of floors.🤞
That’s me signing off Twitter now for a while. Need to get my head around what’s happening in the world & concentrate on being outdoors for a while. Get my shack back open etc. I’ll say one thing, anyone that has a dream of opening a food business. Just don’t do it..!
Garry & I are still figuring out this being self employed with a restaurant since Dec 19’, a shack & an airbnb. We don’t own the restaurant or airbnb, we lease them. It’s been a learning curve. Not sure I’d ever recommend opening a rest. I don’t think people really understand..!
When Garry & I opened our restaurant in Dec’19. We thought we would figure out the bar, drinks, as we went along. Ye all know what happened in March ‘20. I think we have it figured out now with lots of help of good staff. I’m very proud of what we are achieving here in Killybegs.
The shack is back lads…not sure for how long as apparently they are putting a bus stop where I sit. Second photo is of people from Shack eating in one of our locals & having drinks. Have to say, it’s about our town being busy for me as well. The shack brings in so many people💔
We are closing our restaurant for November. Wee bit excessive maybe. 🙈 That was one busy summer & with no extra staff to be hired.(Our poor chefs were about to drop) We decided to take the month off & will be back at it refreshed (hopefully) in Dec. Happy Halloween everyone…! x
That’s me, for the summer. Happy to be back at it. Made it by the skin of my teeth, didn’t get the menu board written up, didn’t get the till programmed properly. Wish so much I would spend a few days dedicated to opening shack rather than meeting friends for dinner 😂
#noregrets
Woke up to all my staff asking had I seen the weather forecast today. I hadn’t!! Why won’t it give us a break this year. It’s so windy snd with a big open hatch it just makes life so hard, so I’m closing for the day. I’m so sick of the weather here this summer. Absolute disaster!
As I say every-time I go abroad “I could live here” 😂 Just in San sebastián as of today. Loads to report about my wee camino. I loved everything second of it. It’s definitely good for the soul.. now for the foodie / drinking part of the holiday.
We cannot wait to welcome you all this summer to Anderson’s Boathouse restaurant, chefs are cooking up a storm, the smell coming down the street (as I ran around frantically with flowers) made me so happy. Here’s to a fab & safe Summer of ‘21. 🥂🍾🥰
This is me. Nearly dead after having a night away with (a lot younger) staff. Lol. I really, really need to try and remember I’m not 18 anymore. No where near it in fact. 🙈 Celebrating a great summer in Business with a night away in Bundoran. Was such a fun night.
#neveragain
Here now buds. Have a read and stop attacking each other please. We are all in this together without a shadow of a doubt. Be nice, and please be kind, k. Y’all have no idea what other people are going through.
Oysters au natural with Tabasco & a glass of Guinness, or a pint. We won’t judge and after all you’re probably on your holidays…! They flew out the door yesterday at our restaurant Anderson’s Boathouse Restaurant on the Main St in Killybegs. Sometimes it’s the simple things.❤️
So for my dinner (nearly out of isolation), I’m getting fillet steak, homemade skinny chips cooked in duck fat & oil & a side cup of French onion soup, because I said I missed my Mothers this Christmas. ❤️My husband is one of the best. Omg did it taste divine. Diet starts Monday.
I’m off to New York for the first time in March. It was cancelled in 2020 because of you know what. Are People living in New York really as rude as someone told me they are 😂?Do I need to prepare myself. I am that polite, annoying “I’m sorry” person. Am I about to get trampled?
I am sitting outside my house drinking coffee and eating fab tiramisu from the Restaurant, it’s sunny here in killybegs, Donegal. It’s a bleedin’ miracle. View from where I’m sitting. Getting lots of work done outside house. Ben bulb en in the background. Hope it stays nice. 💚🥰
@MichaelsCoDub
It’s every time Gaz. I hate how much this sort of thing bothers me. I feel like I have to justify what I do and how I do it. (and I know I shouldn’t 🙈)
Halibut was one of the specials on last night in the restaurant. Sold out for today. Was so beautiful. Apparently it’s a pleasure to cook, our chefs love cooking it. Will I ever get sick of seafood one asks, no, is being the answer to your question. (name that film😂).
‘Wild with a big heart’ – Lonely Planet names Donegal among top 10 regions to visit in 2024 So, so amazing to get a mention for our restaurant & our Seafood Shack in Lonely Planet…! We are completely blown away by this.
Garry and I had the pleasure of hosting a private group of chefs & people in the industry, from the U.S. They got to sample a variety of seafood & Garrys beautiful seafood chowder. They were here learning about our food & drinks culture. Can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this..!
I have lots to say. People need to be more understanding about what we are going through. We have to let staff go for vaccine days now too on short notice.Not just usual run of the mill years. Packaging and supply issues, ye wouldn’t believe what’s happening. Tip of iceberg stuff
This photo was taken by Wild Atlantic Traveller. I see he’s not on Twitter. I met him years ago at the shack. Is this just incredible. A chef called Des opened a Deli there called the The Blue Goat. It’s really special. The whole place is so lovely. Check them both out on insta.
Took a quick video in Donegal town yesterday. Had met a friend & her daughter for quick lunch. Felt like I was in Spain. Was absolutely beautiful. Love seeing bit of diversity, bit of culture & music, so hard to beat. We just need sun to keep shining. 🙏☀️
Photograph Courtesy of
@garethwrayphoto
Garry & I have snorkelled / swam at the slip you see past the beach in the inlet. It’s spectacular here. Not super far from Killybegs but like no place you’ve seen before. Put Donegal on your list for next year.. trust me.
#WildAtlanticWay
We were thinking that covid was over (more or less!)& that the restaurant would be back to normal for bookings but now the Icey weather is making people not want to venture out. Can’t blame them! Can someone out there just give us a break. I wish I knew something other than food
One of my customers having a wee shack attack in her car.. The sun is shining currently. So happy days. I’m laughing because my restaurant gang told me I need to be more positive online. So only happy posts from now on & this means you be positive too, or I can’t serve y’all. 😂
I have to post about a tesla with Ukrainian plates in Donegal. Genuinely don’t want any negative comments back or I’ll block, I just want to know how many times did the crature have to stop to charge to get here 😂 (please don’t make me regret posting this)
…and I’m back. Feck it. I’m too nosey to stay away altogether. So, the sun has been shining in Killybegs. This is the view from my Shack & I am ready to start creating a wee brand as well. Sure why on earth not, eh!!? Hope everyone is well and happy & enjoying life too. 💃
Garry & I didn’t win anything at restaurant awards. But lots and lots of other fabulous winners. See this man here & the business he opened in Ramelton. He deserves all the success in The world. He’s just fabulous.
@thebluegoat_
delighted to see him win Innovator of the Year.