Dónal was born in Co Donegal and was educated at Summerhill College, Sligo and SHS Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal. Dónal obtained a BA degree in History, Economics and Politics and a Diploma in Library and Information Studies from University College Dublin. He also received an Accounting Technician Certificate from AnCo and an MA in Public Management from the Institute of Public Administration. In 1991, Dónal was appointed County Librarian with Monaghan County Council and subsequently in 1995 he became County Librarian with Sligo County Council. As County Librarian Dónal has been a project leader for numerous EU and nationally funded projects in areas such as culture, community, and tourism. In addition to serving on numerous national library and cultural committees under the auspices of the LGMA, Dónal has been project leader for Sligo County Council’s Commemoration Programmes including Peace and Reconciliation Partnership 2011-2012 and Decade of Centenaries 2013 – 2023. Since 2013 Dónal has been Sligo County Council’s Creative Ireland Co-ordinator. Dónal is currently acting Director of Services for the Directorate: Live Invest Visit.