Daniel was born in London in 1952 to Irish born parents. They both came from Monkstown, a pretty village on Cork harbour about eight miles from Cork city. It was here that he spent my first twenty summers. This wonderful experience caused him to view Ireland through rose-tinted glasses for ever more.
From about the age of ten he became aware that Ireland might be more than just a nice place to spend summer. By the time he was fourteen he had decided that he was Irish rather than English.
After more than 30 years in Dublin he still speaks with an English accent. Some people are surprised by this and ask why. He answers them with two words: - Henry Ford.
Henry’s father was born in Ballinscarthy, County Cork and moved to America in 1847, aged 21 years. Henry didn’t forget his Irish roots and, in 1917, he established his first purpose built production line outside of America – in Cork City.
This is where Daniel’s father got his first job, after completing his apprenticeship as a Fitter and Turner at (then H.M.) Hawlbowline Naval Dockyard School in Cobh, on Cork harbour. In the 1930’s he went to London to help Ford UK set up their first tractor production line. He worked forty years with Ford and lived in London, happily, for the rest of his life.
So that’s why Daniel loves Dublin with an English accent.
