EDWARD McDAID, BORN 1949, RAMELTON

Three generations of the McDaid family have been involved in James McDaid and Sons Ltd. Soft Drinks’ Company in Ramelton. Edward McDaid’s grandfather, Jimmy, was the entrepreneur who started the business having previously owned a grocery shop. His son James, father of Edward McDaid, was responsible for the purchase of Mitchell’s Spirit Wholesalers in Ramelton. Edward discusses the great success of the ‘Football Special’ soft drink. He explains how the drink was initially produced, the ingredients and their combination. The importance of the clean spring water to their product is explained as is the effect of the McDaid Soft Drinks’ Company on the local community in terms of employment. Edward McDaid discusses his earlier career as an investment banker, based in Dublin, and his decision to return to Donegal on the death of his father to take over the running of the family business.