The short life of "Danni" : The 35th Birthday of Danielle McLaughlin of Buncarana, Donegal, Ireland.
This is about a very compassionate and caring woman, who loved Goa so much. Reduced to being branded as a "Backpacker" and now a mere "Case Number" in the land she loved so much.
Today, we celebrate a life so well lived, even though shortly.
Today, we celebrate Danielle McLaughlin or "Danni" as she was fondly called by everyone.
Yesterday was, 35th Birthday of Danielle McLaughlin.
A very kind, compassionate, caring and gentle soul, about who except the people she touched, know little about.
Danielle McLaughlin was brutally raped and murdered at the intervening night of 13th and 14th March 2017 at Palolem, Canacona, Goa.
This is a story of her as a person, on her Birthday.
Danni in her 28 very short years, travelled long and wide. Almost entire Europe and all the "known" places in Asia.
Been to Australia a couple of times, Canada was on her mind, when she set off for Goa on 21st February 2017, from her home Buncarana, Ireland.
Travel was ingrained in her, from the very stint in the womb of her mother. Her mother Andrea, travelled to Glasgow, Scotland to be with her relatives and Danni was already so itching to explore the world, she was about set foot in, that she could not wait, more 5 weeks.
Danni arrived in this world yesterday, 35 Years ago at 1800 hrs, local time.
Danni being the first of her kids, Andrea decided to name her on her cousins, whom she was very close to, being a single child and no siblings.
And thus, the Ginger haired baby, her first was named "Danielle Marie Teresa McLaughlin.
Danielle is the cousin of Andrea, Marie is sister of Danielle and Teresa is Andrea's mother.
Living true to one's name is easily the biggest accomplishment one can achieve ; Danni was Mary to her young sisters and Teresa for a lot of teens and under-privileged.
As this post is being hand written on the same beach, where Danni once walked just about 7 Years back; a few toddlers and babies are frolicking in water with their mothers, enjoying the sea.
Danni would have also witnessed this adorable spectacle years back and thus her resolve to help teens, who have lost their path. Being herself, the eldest of 6 daughters, a guardian to "her girls"!
Danni went to "Scoil Losagain" and "Scoil Mhuire" locally at Ireland.
We need not discuss her academic bent, because it is amply visible later.
Danni enrolled in "Northwest Regional College" at Ireland, to finish her Bachelor's.
John Moore University of Liverpool was her choice to pursue her Master's in " Criminology and Psychology ".
When we hear about Liverpool or read, the first thing which comes to mind is "You will never walk alone!". Made famous by Gary and Pacemakers and later adopted as motto and anthem of Liverpool FC.
Perhaps it was a very easy choice for Danni to pursue "Criminology and Psychology" in a city, which lives by "You will not walk alone".
Apart from her choice of the place to pursue her Master's, Dani's choice of her subjects and later her work in the same field; gives a glimpse of the caring and compassionate soul she was.
She could have interned anywhere, but chose to work as a "Social Worker" for teen criminals during her studies. Trying to dive deep, in to their psyche and try to bring them to right and honest path.
Before her (final) adventure as she called and her travel to Goa and India, Danni was in Goa in 2016 as well.
She worked at an Orphanage of Mother Teresa for six months.
She would have probably stayed longer but the illness of her father and thus the solemn duty of as the eldest child, brought her back to Buncarana, Ireland.
For Danni, it was just another hop, from one "moral duty" to another. It would only take an Orphan to understand the compassion and kindness of a soul like Danni.
Danni came back to Ireland, taking care of her ailing father and helping her mother Andrea with daily life and lives of 5 other girls.
Unfortunately, Danni's Dad passed way in November 2016.
Just 4 months after, Danni was forced to leave this world too, in a very brutal manner.
Bereft of words trying to comprehend the sorrow of a tight knit family; which had another tragedy, not long before.
Contemplating over her future course of actions, after the twin tragedies in quick succession, Danni was in two minds.
To follow her dream of being a Yoga and Irish Dance teacher for a while, till she decides, she is good enough to settle down with a proper job and family; or to start working at Liverpool, taking care of "her girls" , performing her duty as eldest child.
Sensing the intense predicament which Danni was going through, Andrea her mother, urged her to follow her dreams, despite being onerous "work" of raising 5 girls, the oldest of them , 25 now, as a single parent.
She would have requested Danni to stay back, but instead, Andrea supported Danni's dreams. The happiness of all her kids, has been always supreme. Happiness of Danielle, her first kid, came first and always.
Danni's plan was to enroll in a "Teacher's Training Course" at a very popular beach at North Goa, which has ample such "schools". Finish the course and then embark to Canada, where a lot of her friends were waiting for her. Her plan was to teach Yoga and Irish Dance to youngsters, as well as kids.
For an adventurous soul like her, Canada, where she has not been earlier before; the call of the Rocky Mountains and the wilderness it affords to explorer souls, was too difficult to miss.
Canada was her final destination, that's where she wanted to settle down.
Anyone who is adventurous and exploring, would agree with it. Just across South, the enchanting adventure of amazing trails of PCT, JMT and Appalachian Trail waited for her. And, are still waiting.
Danni left her home at Buncarana, Ireland for Goa on 21st February 2017.
She had no clue, in less than 3 weeks, she would be brutally raped and even more brutally murdered, in the very land, she decided to came back; in spite of the twin tragedies befalling her in quick succession.
She came to Goa to heal, would not be exorbitant statement, considering the free souls, this land has attracted due to its diverse cultures and kind people.
Danni's final days in this world and Goa, was on the eve of Holi.
She came to Palolem at the insistence of a female friend, while still enrolled at the Yoga School, focussed on her dream and future.
Arriving at Palolem, Canacona, South Goa from Mandrem Constituency; which is extreme North of Goa, to have a day off. She arrived on 12th March 2017 and was found dead in 14th March morning.
Her plan was to move back to North, on 15th March 2017 and resume her Yoga and Meditation classes.
Holi is not only the festival of colours , but also a festival of dance and music. Being a good guitarist and practitioner of Irish Dance, the music and dance of Holi, appealed to her, to take an unusual break from her classes.
What happened next to Danni is known is known to all.
Like most of the foreign Tourists coming to India, Danni had been to Nepal also. But when, earthquake striked there, she volunteered to build the damaged houses and schools, doing her bit as a "responsible tourist". Else, she would not have probably faced "her girls" proudly.
How much Danni was loved all over the world, due to her kind and compassionate nature and her travels could be gauged from "reactions" to one of her SM post, announcing her next adventure, not knowing , that it would be her last.
Most of Danni's childhood friend, still live close by. Some have relocated to other parts of this planet; but still remain in touch with family and relish the gentle and vivacious soul , they knew. They still know.
Enthralled by nature and the rise it lead to her compassion, Danni turned a vegetarian; after one of her visit to Australia. Not being able to resist to Cheese, which she loved so much, she would have otherwise being a Vegan, by now.
From someone who loved to hook-line-sinker, the transformation speaks aptly, about how her travels, made her so much of a better person.
Natty, an Irish singer was her favourite artist and singer of all; and she would would always coax her friends to come along with her, if there was a concert if him, being staged nearby.
Natty, sang at her funeral as the ultimate tribute to his most ardent fan.
https://www.donegaldaily.com/2017/03/31/reggae-star-pays-touching-tribute-to-tragic-danielle/
A tribute to a woman who was a very able Guitarist herself and understood the nuances of Natty's songs and music.
What you would make out, of Danni, if you come to know that she named, the middle name of one of her younger sister "Victoria Beckham"?
Danni's youngest sister who was barely 3, when she left for her final explore, still fondly remembers her. The one who took her to Disney's movie Moana and their regular escapades for a "Hot Chocolate".
A "Gypsy Dancer" , Danni started participating in "Irish Dance" competitions from a very early age.
Had, Goa not been her destination in February 2017; many kids and youngsters would have had the privilege to learn from not only an apt and able teacher, but perhaps the most compassionate one.
This would not be an over statement that, Danni treated everyone as "her girls"; the way he treated her five siblings. Caring and compassionate, always.
Her family and friends, would gather at at her grave to remember her, followed by the Mass in her remembrance, on this 35th birthday. There is no better way to honour Danni, than to indulge in a fun and adventurous activity.
A lot of tears would flow down over anecdotes and shared stories, over dinner.
Today, we honour, Danielle Marie Teresa McLaughlin. This world is a better place, in the short time, she graced it.
Itching to get on the exploration again, we might have a chance encounter with her, as one another kid, somewhere on this planet.
Finishing of with one of Danni's favourite song from her favourite artist ;
Be Kind. Be Compassionate. Do your Moral Duty.
That's what Danni would have had to say to you; if she would have been alive today.
To Danni!