
The Irish FIRE Podcast explores the journey to financial independence and early retirement from an Irish perspective. Hosted by Michael, the podcast covers practical strategies for saving, investing, and designing a life of financial freedom. Each episode dives into topics like tax efficiency, property investment, pensions, and lifestyle optimization, all tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities in Ireland. Whether you’re just starting out or well on your FIRE journey, The Irish FIRE Podcast offers actionable insights to help you achieve your financial goals.
Episodes
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Monday Aug 17, 2020
Talking Financial Independence with Ken, from the Humble Penny
Monday Aug 17, 2020
Monday Aug 17, 2020
In this episode, Michael talks with Ken, who runs the blog "The Humble Penny".
Ken is based in the UK and become financially independence at aged 34. Topics covered in the interview include:
1. How Ken and his family were able to become financially independence within 10 years, through investments, multiple cashflow streams and businesses.
2. How can you use two hours per day to create a dream life.
3. How do you keep your get up and go and learn from your mistakes?
4. How do you deal with fame and finding the courage to put yourself out there?
5. Is your house an asset? Should you pay off your mortgage, or invest?
Show Notes
The Humble Penny - https://thehumblepenny.com
Ken's Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkAPVmQ4JF4ZWKVazSOmGFQ
Gathering Dreams - https://gatheringdreams.com
Financial Joy Academy - https://financialjoyacademy.com
Become an Irish FIRE Podcast member at:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/register

Tuesday Aug 04, 2020
Buying an Investment Property with No Deposit
Tuesday Aug 04, 2020
Tuesday Aug 04, 2020
In this episode, Michael provides specific details about how he was able to put a deal together to use equity from his home to purchase an investment property in Ireland.
Show Notes:
The Mortgage Broker:
Hugh Mulcahy - https://www.fcfs.ie/team/hugh-mulcahy/
Become an Irish FIRE Podcast member at:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/register

Monday Jul 27, 2020
Talking Property with Gavin J Gallagher
Monday Jul 27, 2020
Monday Jul 27, 2020
In this episode, Michael talks with Gavin J Gallagher about property. Gavin owns and operates the East Point Business Park in Dublin, but has also worked on hundreds of property deals over the last 25 years.
Quotes from the Episode:
"If you go into it blind, you can lose your shirt in this [property] business"... "I wouldn't rush into this with your eyes closed."
"Be the Dealmaker."
"This [property] is a team business."
"The first deal is the best you will do, because of the tight learning curve."
Show Notes:
Gavin's Website:
https://gavinjgallagher.com
Gavin's Podcast (Behind the Facade):
https://podtail.com/en/podcast/behind-the-facade/
Subscribe to the Newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter

Tuesday Jul 14, 2020
The Realities of Dealing with Bad Investments
Tuesday Jul 14, 2020
Tuesday Jul 14, 2020
In this episode, Michael shares his recent experiences (in story telling format) of some of his failed investments and ventures and the outcomes and downsides from dealing with the consequences.
He explains how he over-engineered financial independence and how while he initially freed up time by working part time, that free time was quickly taken away by over committing to too many ventures.
The episode provides some good advise - hopefully you can learn from his mistakes!
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Tuesday Jun 23, 2020
The Four Pillars of Success
Tuesday Jun 23, 2020
Tuesday Jun 23, 2020
In this episode, Michael reflects on how financial independence ties into success and how wealth is only 25% of deemed success.
Michael discusses why one needs to target all four pillars of success to find true happiness and reflects on his own story about how he is applying the four pillars.
Show Notes: Show Notes:
For more information about the An Dúlra Co-Op:
https://www.andulra.ie
Subscribe to the newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
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Friday Jun 05, 2020
Talking Financial Independence with Alan Donegan
Friday Jun 05, 2020
Friday Jun 05, 2020
In this special first anniversary episode, Michael talks with Alan Donegan, a 41 year old entrepreneur from the UK, who became financially independent 18 months ago.
Alan runs the Pop Up Business School and has helped teach thousands of people how to get started in the business world.
This is a raw, honest interview with Alan, where he explains how he was able to become financially independent and what life is like for him now.
Show Notes:
Tony Robbins - Notes from a Friend:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/074340937X/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1#ace-g1653177716
JL Collins - A Simple Path of Wealth
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Simple-Path-Wealth-financial-independence/dp/1533667926/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1AW50L0NBSZG2&dchild=1&keywords=jl+collins+simple+path+to+wealth&qid=1591262032&s=books&sprefix=jl+collins%2Cstripbooks%2C139&sr=1-1
Quit like a Millionaire
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Quit-Like-Millionaire-Gimmicks-Required/dp/0525538690/ref=sr_1_1?crid=NA1CUG0DQBOA&dchild=1&keywords=quit+like+a+millionaire&qid=1591262055&s=books&sprefix=quit+like+a+%2Cstripbooks%2C147&sr=1-1
Alan's Blog
https://www.alandonegan.com/
Pop up Business School
https://www.popupbusinessschool.co.uk/
Listen to more of Alan's podcast - The Rebel Entrepreneur Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/rebel-entrepreneur/id1506404790
Subscribe to the newsletter:
https://www.firepodcast.ie/newsletter
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Monday May 25, 2020
Realisations of 2020
Monday May 25, 2020
Monday May 25, 2020
In this episode, Michael reveals his realisations of 2020 and the changes he has made in response to learning from COVID 19.
Apologies again for the sound quality on this episode, will have it fixed for the next episode.
Show Notes:
Mortgage Broker - Get in touch with Hugh
First Choice Financial Services
https://www.fcfs.ie/
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Tuesday Apr 28, 2020
Life After Rugby - The Jamie Heaslip Interview
Tuesday Apr 28, 2020
Tuesday Apr 28, 2020
In this episode, Michael talks with former Irish Rugby International Jamie Heaslip. Jamie provides insights into what hes doing after rugby, but we also talk about the processing of success when playing rugby.
Jamie talks about how he manages his investments, knowing that his rugby career was going to finish in his 30s.
He talks about how he looks to create wealth, through investing in assets
We talk about how Jamie is dealing with the COVID 19 crisis, based on how he dealt with the highs and lows on the rugby field.
We talk about the process of beating the All Blacks in 2016 - and how the Irish were able to work backwards to work out a plan to beat the All Blacks.
We talk about what success means to Jamie and how he goes about the process of achieving success.
We talk about his involvement with Flender and how he sees the future of the P2P Industry in Ireland and the future of Flender.
Quotes from the episode:
"To create financial wealth, you need to own something"
"Don't stick your head in the sand.... address things straight on."
"Hard work beats talent a lot of the times"
"People are very quick to pass over wins.... you need to get comfortable not being able to control everything"
Follow Jamie on social media:
https://twitter.com/jamieheaslip
https://www.instagram.com/jamieheaslip
Sign up to Flender & Get behind Irish Business:
https://bit.ly/2xgAVeR
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Tuesday Apr 14, 2020
Investing During a Downturn
Tuesday Apr 14, 2020
Tuesday Apr 14, 2020
In this episode Michael talks about how he is investing during a downturn. He talks about some of the mistakes he has made and how he is looking to invest going forward.
He also gives an update on what happens in Grupeer and how he is thinking about managing his P2P portfolio moving forward.
Show Notes
FIRE Dating: https://firedating.me
Irish P2P Platforms:
Flender
https://www.linkedfinance.com
https://www.propertybridges.com
JL Collins - A Simple Path to Wealth
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Simple-Path-Wealth-financial-independence/dp/1533667926
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Tuesday Mar 31, 2020
What is Money Anyway?
Tuesday Mar 31, 2020
Tuesday Mar 31, 2020
In this episode, Michael looks into the history of money and how the economy works.
Mentions in the episode:
- Coming off the gold standard
- Fractional banking system
- Understanding why central banks are printing money
- Understanding that most of the money in our society is actually debt, not physical cash.
He talks about how he is trying to leverage debt and is actively looking for new deals to generate income by leveraging debt, particularly with his new venture Forestry Crowd.
Show Notes:
How the Economic Machine Works - Ray Dalio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHe0bXAIuk0
The History of Money:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nBPN-MKefA