By Siobhan O’Neill White

This month it’s all about the Mammies! On 10th March, ‘Mother’s Day’, us hard working Mammies are ‘supposed’ to get the day off and have someone else do the cooking, cleaning and the million other things we do daily. Of course, its lovely to give a gift to your Mam or get a gift from your children but for me, the best gifts are usually the ones that don’t cost a thing. One of my best memories is my children bringing me Mother’s Day breakfast in bed.. Because they were too young to boil the kettle, they made the tea with lukewarm water from the tap. This was proudly presented beside a salad sandwich (at 8am!)! There was broken cheese, lettuce and chunks of tomato. They weren’t able to spread the butter as it was cold from the fridge, so the butter was also in chunks! But you know what – it’s one of my favourite Mother’s Day memories. Their efforts made me feel so loved. Was I able to eat it? Not quite but the gesture was enough to put me in a great mood. And what made me even happier was when my husband offered to take a few bites when the kids left the room so they wouldn’t be disappointed that I didn’t eat it! Another favourite gift was given to me last year. My youngest, who is so good at arts and crafts made me a ticket machine and every time I pulled out a ticket there was a little message on it, like ‘Here’s a hug’ or ‘I Luv U’. I’ve saved some of them in the back of my phone so whenever I turn it over, I am reminded that my youngest loves me. She will be a teenager before I know so I am relishing these little gestures of love while I can still get them! If your Mam is no longer with you, its ok to feel sad. You may want to be alone or with loved ones – you should do what feels right for you and please be extra kind to yourself if you’re having a hard day. Wishing you all the best for March 10th. Siobhán @mams.ie x
Shortlisted for Golden Spider Award & Infant & Maternity Award
As seen on RTE and Virgin Media Ireland & Weekend AM
As heard on Today FM’s Ian Dempsey & Dermot & Dave; RTE’s Ray D’Arcy Show, 98FM, LMFM Late Lunch, WLRFM & Shannonside FM

By Dave Kavanagh

In the last few claims, I have processed (death claims, serious illness claims and income protection claims) there was something that they all had in common. None of them knew what cover they actually had in place. Some were unsure whether there was sufficient cover in place to clear their mortgage (which is often the case. Consider all of the people that took 6 months’ payment breaks during Covid. Their mortgage protection cover continued to reduce while their mortgage balances slightly increased.) Some thought they had serious illness cover because we had discussed it a couple of years back, but they never actually got around to commencing it. It was yet another reminder that most people do not know the important details of plans that they pay regularly for. As people’s circumstances change, it’s important to be up to date with knowing what you are actually paying for. Here is the very least that you should know about any protection plans that you have in place:

Life Cover: How much cover is there? When does it expire? Is it dual or joint? Does it have a conversion option? Is it level, increasing or decreasing? How much does it cost?

Income Protection: What is the deferred period? (The length of time you have to be off work due to illness or injury before payments commence). What level of cover do I have? Up to what age will payments continue if I could never return to work again? How much does it cost? Have I claimed my tax relief? (I.P. premiums are tax deductible).

Serious Illness Cover: A.K.A. Critical Illness Cover or Specified Illness Cover. What level of cover do I have? Is it stand alone or accelerated cover? Is it dual or joint? When does it expire? Do I have the option to extend cover without further medical evidence? If you don’t know those details, it’s time to get out the paperwork and find out. You’ll be glad you did.

Dave Kavanagh QFA has been advising people financially for over 25 years. For quotes or information (with no cost or obligation) he can of course also be contacted by you by emailing info@financialcompanion.ie or you can also use the contact form on www.financialcompanion.ie or @Davekav_advice on Twitter and Instagram.

Combined with his previous role of gym/nutrition adviser, he regularly gives talks and workshops at seminars and events for groups, companies and government departments on financial wellbeing, positivity and motivation. As heard on RTE 2FM, LMFM and TV3.

By Dave Kavanagh

Capital Acquisition Tax includes Inheritance Tax and Gift Tax. In 2022 in Ireland, there was over €600 million collected in Capital Acquisition Tax. It also includes estates that may have been taxed in previous generations. For example, if someone left an estate worth €1,000,000 to an only daughter, she would (in the current tax year) have a tax bill of almost €220,000. After she pays the bill and puts what’s left in the bank, any interest is taxed (DIRT). Guess what happens when she passes and leaves her estate behind? It’s taxed again! Spouses can leave any amount to each other tax free. After that, the three thresholds are, a) Children - €335,000, b) Other close relatives - €32,500 and c) All others (including cohabiting partners) - €16,250. Everything received above these is taxed at 33%.

So, is there any way to prevent it? There are two main actions that can either reduce or eradicate such a tax bill. The first is to take the time to plan when making a will. Let’s say a value of €750,000 was being left to 2 adult children. (Not a big estate if you combine a house, savings and a life policy). This would create a tax bill of over €25,000. Instead, if €670,000 of it was left to the 2 children and the balance between a few grandchildren, there is no tax bill. The second thing that can be done is for the person leaving the estate to take out a Section 72 plan. This is a type of life policy that is allowed to pay any tax liability without adding to the value of the estate. It becomes particularly important for anybody that does not have children to plan things out, as even other relatives can only receive €32,500 before any balance is taxed. These thresholds are particularly important for anybody in the process of planning or making their will.

By Jon Kavanagh

These days we hardly notice the gigantic TV screens occupying an entire wall in our living rooms. Yesteryear, sitting down to watch a program was a planned event, shared by the whole community. TV sets are few and far between. Two sisters living locally are running a defecto cinema; opening the door of their cottage to anyone who wants to view their newfangled google-box. My father is among the patrons, visiting there twice a week to see The Virginian and The Fugitive. A debate opens up between my mother and father - now that we have electricity in the new house should we rent our own television? He is for, she is sitting firmly on the fence. Perhaps swayed by her growing suspicion that the sisters’ abode is a flea distribution centre, she capitulates. Ecstatic, my father heads to Paddy Weston’s television shop on the main street in Swords to arrange delivery. Paddy duly arrives in his Citroen DS, hauls in the heavy apparatus, connects a rabbit ears antenna, tweaks various knobs and hey presto a black and white picture flickers into life. My mother allocates herself the role of censor; issuing regular dictates: “TURN THAT OFF!” at the first hint of anything she deems inappropriate. I am mesmerised by the cartoons: The Flintstones, Bugs Bunny, Mr Magoo, and the famous duo Barney and Beany who are advertising a well-known brand of baked beans. Detectives including McCloud (who propels my normally serious father into convulsive laughter as he gallops his horse through the streets of New York), lolly pop addict Kojak, and the well disguised genius Columbo who always has “Just one more thing” to ask the culprit, chase the bad guys across our screen. Garda Patrol alerts us to real crime happening locally whilst Frank Hall shines a satirical torch on the not so fictional townland of Ballymacash. Bunny Carr “Stops the lights” on Quicksilver, as he doles out prizes ranging from shillings and pence to the jackpot of ten pounds. We see ourselves when we visit the microcosm of Leestown where The Riordans, and their eclectic friends and neighbours reflect our own daily lives. Real reality TV.

By Jack Shanley

Maestro, directed by acclaimed Actor and filmmaker Bradley Cooper is a captivating cinematic experience that transcends the boundaries of traditional 2023, the film delves into the tumultuous life of renowned conductor Leonard Bernstein, storytelling. Released in portrayed with brilliance by Oscar nominated actor Bradley Cooper. Maestro not only provides an intimate glimpse into the world of classical music but also explores the beautiful relationship Leonard had with Chilean-Costa Rican actress Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan). The film unfolds as a seamless blend of flashbacks and present-day sequences, unravelling Bernstein’s journey from a prodigious young musician to a maestro whose genius is matched only by the shadows of his past. Coopers’ performance is nothing short of fantastic, as he navigates the character’s highs and lows with a nuanced grace that elevates the film to new heights. His portrayal of Leonard Bernstein’s passion for music, coupled with the internal struggles that threaten to consume him, creates an amazing yet emotional narrative. Bradley Coopers direction is a testament to his skilful storytelling, as he weaves together the threads of Leonard Bernstein’s life with a delicate touch. The film’s pacing is masterfully orchestrated, allowing the audience to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of the life of a great Composer. From the grandeur of concert halls to the quiet moments of introspection, Cooper captures the essence of each scene with a visual finesse that mirrors the elegance of classical music. Maestro’s supporting cast is equally commendable, with standout performances from Carey Mulligan who at times steals the show as Bernstein’s devoted but conflicted wife. The chemistry between the actors enhances the film’s emotional depth, adding layers to the intricate web of relationships that shape Bernstein’s world. The film’s cinematography, helmed by the visionary lens of Matthew Libatique, is a visual symphony that complements the musical narrative. Each frame is a work of art, capturing the sweeping grandeur of concert performances and the intimate moments of vulnerability with equal finesse. The use of light and shadow enhances the emotional feel for the story, creating a visual language that speaks volumes alongside the musical score. Speaking of the score, Maestro’s soundtrack, is beautifully composed and is a character in itself. The classical compositions evoke a range of emotions from melancholy to triumph. The wonderful score becomes the heartbeat of the film, underscoring the highs and lows of Bernstein’s journey with a sublime elegance. In all truth I’d recommend checking out ‘Maestro’ on Netflix and see what you think of it, I shall give it a score of Four stars. Director: Bradley Cooper– Rating: 15 – Genre: Romance/Musical – Run Time: 2h 9m Language: English. For more film content please follow @movies4fanatics on Instagram.

By Siobhan O’Neill White

January is done and dusted and February is here. Goodbye to the dreariest month of the year and welcome the month of love! The growing popularity of Galentine’s day on February 13th means you can choose to celebrate with your girlfriends that day and the 14th can be a romantic day with your partner or if you are single, a day to treat yourself to some self-love and self-care. Last year my daughters and I spent Galentine’s day at an anniversary screening of Titanic at The Arc in Drogheda and then headed for dinner at Yeah Burger. If you haven’t been yet and you love a good burger, highly recommend, they have the best burgers! This year we’re planning to do that again. It’s a nice low-key way to spend an evening with my girls. I am also planning a Galentine’s get together with my Mam and sisters at City North for Afternoon tea with a few glasses of Prosecco thrown in! As for Valentine’s Day; often the most appreciated gifts are the personal ones. Making someone a romantic dinner, running them a bubble bath, giving them a massage – are all nice things you can do that won’t cost much. To make dinner at home extra special, pop a tablecloth on, sprinkle a few rose petals around and set out your nicest glasses, cutlery and plates. Or treat your loved one to their favourite takeaway and snuggle up to watch a movie together with a bowl of popcorn and warm blanket. As Valentine’s night is so busy, sometimes its nicer to stay home on the 14th and head out for a romantic dinner another night instead, when it’s less busy. Whatever you get up to on 13th and 14th February, try to make time to do something nice for yourself. It could be sitting down with a good book. Going for a walk on the beach followed by coffee and cake at your favourite café. Relaxing in a warm bath. Remember, we have to look after ourselves first before we can look after others. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone. And make sure to pop over to mams.ie for our fab competitions!

Courtesy of Malahide Historical Society

The current movie blockbuster on the life of Napoleon Bonaparte reminds us of Malahide’s (slight) Napoleonic connections.

On Church Road, Manor Books is housed in Manor House, which dates from the late 1700s and was the one-time office in the village for handling the affairs of the Lord of the Manor, Lord Talbot de Malahide, who owned the ground rent and much of the properties. Lord Talbot’s agent or bailiff would manage village affairs such as collection of rents and meetings with tenants. Up to the early 1800s it was the site of the Manor Court which dates from a time when the local landowner held a degree of legal jurisdiction over his properties and tenants and was the lowest level in the courts system. In here, minor legal and petty crime cases would be heard and when the building was being refurbished in the 1990s the remains of a holding cell were found.

For a time in the early 1800s Manor House was home to an adventurer and United Irishman grandly named Herve Morres de Montmorency who fled to France after the failed 1798 rebellion and achieved a commission in the French Army under Napoleon Bonaparte who is said to have been an admirer of Napper Tandy and Montmorency and interviewed him personally. Up to his death in France in 1839 he remained wanted by the British forces.

At The Diamond, the house, which up to recently was the Ulster Bank, was in the 1780s the home of John Fortescue who was married to the sister of Arthur Wellesley, an officer in the British Army who later became the Duke of Wellington and defeated Napoleon at Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Wellesley is believed to have been a regular visitor to his sister in Malahide.

On the Coast Road, Hick’s Tower, with its ‘witches’ hat’ roof added in 1911, was a Martello Tower, one of around 50 such watchtowers around the Irish coast built by the British to watch out for French invasion forces during the Napoleonic wars.

By Siobhan O’Neill White

You’ve hopefully had a lovely, relaxing Christmas and peaceful start to 2024. January can be a difficult month; it’s cold, dreary and you may be feeling a bit down now that Christmas is over. But, don’t despair – there are lots of nice things you can do for yourself. If you feel a bit bloated, don’t think you need to rush out and join a gym or sign up for some crazy diet or exercise plan. Instead, be kind to yourself and take it easy. Start with getting out for some brisk walks in the fresh air; that’s a free and easy way to exercise and feel better, plus the whole family can get involved. Doing some simple yoga or stretching at home can help with your physical and mental health. All you need is a mat and 15 minutes and again, you can get the kids involved too! Follow your New Year exercise sessions with a warming bubble bath and fluffy pyjamas! You will definitely feel like you’ve earned it. If the kids are getting bored, there are some activities that you can get them involved with. One of our favourite activities is Lego, and now is the perfect time to work on those projects. We’ve just finished the Lego Frozen Disney Castle! It took 6 weeks and a lot of patience but was so worth it. Not only is it a calming activity for children but it’s a great way to spend some quality time with them. Baking and cooking are cheap and easy activities to do with the children at home. We picked up the TikTok cookbook for our 12-year-old. who is fantastic at recreating the recipes from that. For quick dinners and baking ideas, we have a dedicated recipe section on mams.ie, go to mams.ie/category/recipes/ Gormanston Park is running a Basketball Camp from 2nd – 5th January, 10am – 2pm, for ages: 6 – 17 with a T-shirt included. With coaches from America & Europe to encourage and improve skills, contact euroelitebasketball.com or info@euroelitebasketball.com to inquire or book. For more ideas on things to do, places to go and competitions to enter, go to www.mams.ie and our socials facebook.com/mams.ireland instagram.com/mams.ie twitter.com/mams_ie

By Dave Kavanagh

This time of year, is traditionally when people set out to make some positive changes or improvements in their lives. The most recognisable of these is the ‘losing weight/getting healthier” one. To give people more of an incentive to maintain what they start, it’s worth noting that if done properly, losing weight can have the added bonus of leaving you with more money at the end of each month. So how does that work?? Well, by “doing it properly” I refer to NOT going on a diet, or buying products with magic properties that will make the weight just fall off. Instead, making small, sustainable lifestyle changes. It can be adding some exercise in week 1, drinking more water (and less alcohol/sugar laden drinks) in week 2, reducing portion sizes in week 3, substituting things like chips for wholegrain rice or pasta in week 4, breaking the association of biscuits/cakes whenever you have a coffee or tea in week 5, etc., etc. Doing it this way, makes it sustainable and when weight is dropped slower over a longer period of time, it is far more likely to be kept off. So how does that help my finances?

When I analyse people’s spending budgets, it’s clear that takeaways, alcohol, sweets, cakes biscuits etc. pop up quite frequently. If you keep track of the savings when you cut down on many of these things, it’s easy to see how much you can save. One person I was helping used to enjoy her “treat” of a chocolate eclair most days. When she accepted that she felt bad after eating it and conceded that it was not helping her goal to lose weight, I suggested it was more of a punishment than a treat. I proposed that she put the money into a jar each day and when there was enough, to treat herself to a back massage, which can positively reinforce the good changes someone has made. Make the right choices, one day at a time.

Dave Kavanagh QFA has been advising people financially for over 25 years. For quotes or information (with no cost or obligation) he can be contacted by emailing Dave at info@financialcompanion.ie or use the contact form on financialcompanion.ie or @Davekav_advice on Twitter and Instagram. Combined with his previous role of gym/nutrition adviser, he regularly gives talks and workshops at seminars and events for groups, companies and government departments on financial well being, positivity and motivation. As heard on RTE 2FM , LMFM and TV3.

By Jonathan Kavanagh

Ah January, large bills, a grand stretch in the evenings and an on-going struggle with those New Year resolutions. Bad habits are hard to break. A very early memory sees me face a tough challenge. It appears to be an ordinary day. I play with my toys as my mother goes about her household chores. All seems well but I am about to be taught one of life’s harshest lessons; that we live in a transient world where nothing lasts forever. My ever-present emotional crutch, a bright blue soother/pacifier is attached to my jumper by a piece of string. I reach for it as many times before whereupon it disintegrates into a collection of particles, leaving me with nothing but the string and a broken heart. There isn’t a spare one in the house and due to a health issue, my mother is unable to take me for a new one. The day seems to last forever as all house rules are suspended and I am bribed with biscuits, red lemonade and stories in a failed attempt to quell my tears and ease my withdrawal symptoms. After a hard day toiling in the fields of Fingal my father arrives home to the unexpected turmoil. He is practically forced fed his dinner and despatched forthwith into Swords town on his bicycle to procure a replacement for my great loss. In a record time that makes the leader of the Tour De France look like the winner of a slow bicycle race, he is back with an expression of achievement and an outstretched hand containing a new shiny soother. I rise to my full height, look at the soother with distain, display an expression of disbelief and say I don’t want THAT! I have inadvertently gone cold turkey and overcome the first of many vices I will encounter along the path of life.