‘I got to see an orca whale in Donegal Bay - it was such an emotional experience’

Kevin Dooher turned a lockdown hobby into The Wild Atlantic Traveller, inspiring 50,000 Instagram followers with hidden gems, hikes and adventures across Donegal, supported by wife Eileen and children Eabha, 9, and George, 6.

LUST: Who or what do you find yourself lusting after today and why? I got to see an orca whale in Donegal Bay this year. That was something I was lusting after for a long time. Just by chance we were on the Kiwi Girl boat from Mullaghmore, Sligo. The orca’s name is Aquarius and he’s from Scotland. It was such an emotional experience.

GLUTTONY: What could you happily eat or drink until you burst? When the Redcastle Hotel has duck on their menu it’s out of this world. It’s marinated in red wine jus and they mix it with plum sauce. I also love tea and salt and vinegar crisps. I drink Yorkshire tea, I lived in Yorkshire for a bit and my mum was from Yorkshire.

GREED: What are your favourite indulgences? I binge-watch Murder, She Wrote! The kids say, “Not again Dad!” I do have a soft spot for Galaxy Minstrels, I would plough through them anytime I go to the cinema. We would go to Eclipse Cinema in Lifford because they bring pizzas down to your seat when you’re watching the film. I brought Noel Cunningham to the Eclipse cinema once, we’re good friends. It was a very romantic film and he started crying at the end of it. The whole cinema was laughing!

SLOTH: What is your perfect downtime? Going for a sunset hike up Errigal or Lough Salt or Muckish. I know that’s probably a workout for some people but I enjoy the company going up and sitting at the top, capturing the final sunlight and coming back down and going home. There’s something so nice about seeing the close of the day. It’s almost like a movie, to see the sun fade and then the oranges, pinks and reds coming through.

WRATH: What makes you stamp your foot? Rubbish left behind. I see it so much out on hikes and on beaches. If you go to the beach, all you should leave are your footprints.

ENVY: What do you not have but would really like? Some of my friends have photographed humpback whales breaching out of the water. It’s something I’ve always wanted to get, but anytime I go out they’re not breaching. I’d also love a bigger drone. I have the DJI Mini 4 Pro. I’d love to go for the bigger version of that but I can’t justify the cost.

PRIDE: What are you most proud of and why? I have some amazing photographs that I’ve captured throughout my time creating content but I am most proud of my family and seeing the kids take up adventures and embrace them. They love swimming. We’re even thinking of hiking up Errigal. I’m proud of my wife Eileen too, she’s not a big outdoors person but she does take on some of the adventures.