By Dave Kavanagh

There are very different cover requirements in terms of what stage of life you are at. This is primarily based on the financial loss that may occur in certain eventualities. For those in their 20’s or 30’s, they may have recently purchased their first home, maybe started a family, and are settling into a career. This is the stage with potentially, the biggest financial loss, as their mortgage may still be quite substantial, children are young (so will remain dependant for longer) and savings may not be built up yet (or were used to buy their home.) Planning is so important at this stage, to make sure their is sufficient life cover, serious illness cover and income protection. The good news is that the younger you are and the earlier you plan, the cheaper these types of protection are. The next stage, possible 40’s or 50’s, as children are older or grown up, mortgage balance is lower, and some savings have been built up. At this stage, it is a good time to “future proof” cover, while it is still relatively affordable and also, possible to be accepted for cover. It may be that health issues have occurred, needing you to avail of conversion options that are already in place with existing cover (if you don’t know if your cover has such an option, now is the time to check!) The financial loss may not be as potentially high as the earlier stage so lower amounts of cover are more appropriate. At the stage when people are coming close to, or have reached retirement, it will very much depend on their own, specific circumstances, as some may be mortgage-free and have good pension and savings in place. Others may still have a mortgage to clear and may not have made the same provisions for pension and savings. Either way, the specific, potential financial loss needs to be examined to make sure sufficient planning is in place. This could range from simply making sure things like funeral costs would be covered, up to planning that inheritance tax is cleared from any estate you may leave behind, by commencing a section 72 plan. Whichever stage you’re at, make the time to plan.

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 info@financialcompanion.ie or 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 Jack Shanley

With Danny Boyle’s 90s classic ‘Trainspotting’ hitting cinemas once again for a stunning new 4k release, it was the fantastic opportunity to watch the Scottish masterpiece once again. While it dives headfirst into the Edinburgh heroin scene with shocking visuals and dark humour, it doesn’t glorify addiction nor drugs.
Instead, it pulsates with a chaotic energy, capturing the highs and the rock-bottom lows of a group of friends entangled in a destructive cycle. It’s this look into the world of drugs and addiction, the reliability of it and it essentially how it completely changes your perspective of life, that just never fails to intrigue me.

Ewan McGregor shines as Mark Renton, our unreliable narrator. He’s a charismatic addict who, despite the encouragement of his equally messed-up friends (hilariously portrayed by Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, and Robert Carlyle), struggles to choose life over heroin.

Trainspotting doesn’t shy away from the grotesque. The infamous toilet scene is a brutal reminder of the physical toll addiction takes. Yet, Boyle masterfully weaves dark humour throughout. Renton’s internal monologue delivers witty social commentary, and the film’s surreal moments. A scene that just completely captures the essence of the film is when Renton takes his injection of heroin leading him to be dragged down the stairs into a taxi and further on to the hospital. Its just the lack of care and the thought of it being a regular occurrence that just grapples with you and makes you sympathise with him from a non-addict perspective.

The soundtrack throbs with Britpop energy, perfectly complementing the film’s frenetic pace. From Iggy Pop to Underworld, the music becomes another character, driving the narrative forward.

Trainspotting isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s a raw and unflinching portrayal of addiction, but it’s also a darkly funny and strangely hopeful film. Boyle’s direction is electric, the performances are phenomenal, the film’s message on choosing life over oblivion is undeniably powerful and the new 4k restoration looks phenomenal. In all truth I’d recommend checking out “Trainspotting” and see what you think of it, I shall give it a score of Five Stars. You can watch it at your local cinema today. Director: Danny Boyle– Rating: R – Genre: Crime/Drama– Run Time: 1h 34m Language: English. For more film content please follow @movies4fanatics on Instagram

Summer is here, though, calling it summer is a stretch with so much rain! Luckily, there are fab movies, like IF and Inside Out 2 in cinemas. Kids clubs are great value for money and www.ArcCinema.ie has excellent deals for families too!

Painting stones or seashells to decorate your garden is a cheap and fun way to keep kids busy. You can also let them help plant flowers – it’s lovely when they see what they planted growing.

Pyjama days are cosy for watching movies when its rainy outside. Back to the Future, Guardians of the Galaxy and anything Pixar are favourites in our house.

Newbridge Farm is ideal for getting kids outdoors. See the animals and birds on the farm, visit the playground and grab snacks and ice-cream, at the café. Lookout for the peacocks, they’re magnificent!
Follow the Fairy Trail, explore the Butterfly House and enjoy the beautiful Botanic Gardens at Malahide Castle & Gardens. Pack a picnic or stop at Avoca café. From daytime exploring to nighttime concerts, this has become a very popular place to visit.

Love trains? The Casino Model Railway Museum in Malahide is fascinating. From steam trains to locomotives to diesel trains, find out everything about the history of trains! Ideally located close to Malahide train station, you can also get there by train! Very cool!

Titanic Belfast is a wonderful experience if you haven’t been. Full of interesting facts, it’s a really enjoyable day out for the whole family and Belfast is a lovely city to explore too.

If your children love music and singing, The National Concert Hall has choir and song school summer camps during July, find out more at www.nch.ie

For budget friendly family dining, Shake Dog Diner is brill. Irish, affordable with a great menu from breakfasts to burgers. My favourite combo is onion rings, club sandwich and milkshake!

We are blessed with beautiful beaches in North Dublin but please, be careful, especially when swimming with children. Don’t swim out far and always go to beaches with lifeguards. When leaving, please take your rubbish with you. With a little more effort, we can keep our beaches cleaner and safer for everyone.
For more ideas on places to go and things to do this summer, visit www.mams.ie

By Dave Kavanagh

How often have you reported, for example, a faulty washing machine, dryer or fridge to a store after having it for about 18 months, only to be told “it’s out of warranty”? As a starting point, know your rights and be aware of shop psychology.

Under the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act, as a consumer, you have the right that anything you buy should be of “merchantable quality”, that is, suitable for the purpose for which it was designed. So for example, if you buy a fridge and 18 months later it stops working properly, you have the right to have it rectified, by repair, replace or refund (usually in that order). If a shop tries to tell you that the warranty was only for one year, you should point out that the warranty is a manufacturer’s extra and that your contract is with the store, it does not affect your rights under the act. The Retailer is responsible for providing these remedies within a reasonable time.

Keeping your receipt as proof of purchase is important. From the Retailer’s perspective, if a large portion of complainants, simply accept the fob off, they may just buy a new appliance or else pay for a repair. Both good news for the store as they either get an additional sale, or they are relieved of their obligation to provide a repair or replacement.

When you know your legal entitlements and communicate this firmly, it will usually result in a more favourable and correct response. Some retailers, for example Currys, try to refer you to their “Out Of Warranty” team, based in the UK. If you are not willing to hire your own appliance technician to do a report on the fault (as they appear to have none in Ireland) they then try to refer you to a UK arbitration scheme!? Remember, even if a manufacturer’s warranty has expired, the retailer remains responsible for addressing the issue. If a retailer fails to honour these obligations, consumers can seek assistance from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) or pursue legal action to enforce their rights.

By Dave Kavanagh

There are two important aspects of both having and needing mortgage protection life cover. Firstly, there are those who have had mortgages for a number of years with mortgage protection life cover done in conjunction with it. For these people, it is well worth checking the current level of cover and remaining term on their mortgage protection and the same on their mortgage balance and term, to make sure there is sufficient cover. For example, in 2020 during the severe Covid lockdowns, many mortgage holders availed of a 6 month payment break. During this period, their mortgage protection cover will have continued to reduce, while their mortgage balances may have stayed level, or even increased if interest was capitalised. This could mean a shortfall in the event of a claim, meaning that the mortgage does not get fully cleared and there is a balance owing.

The second aspect to consider, is people who are planning to get a mortgage soon, or in the near future. They have saved regularly to build a deposit, maintained stable employment, avoided taking out new loans (and made sure any existing or previous loan obligations were paid in full and on time), conducted their current accounts efficiently, etc. but sadly, they don’t get to proceed with their house/apartment purchase (certainly not in the time frame they wanted to) because they cannot get their mortgage protection life cover accepted. This could be due to their current or past medical history, or something simple like they have been referred for a test that has not yet been done. It’s why many are arranging their mortgage protection cover well in advance of drawing down their mortgage. Once in place, any new medical issues are not relevant. It can even save them money, as 36 years paying a cheaper premium (before another birthday has passed) is cheaper than 35 years at the higher premium.

By Jon Kavanagh

I recently caught sight of myself in a shop mirror. Oh, the shaved head, beard and glasses were a decent attempt at a disguise. But it was him – my late father. It’s not just the physical resemblance; I have inherited a few of his traits including: the coordination of Mr Bean, the patience of Gordon Ramsey and a morbid fear of change. Hugh Leonard summed up many fathers when he said, “Da spent his life sitting on a bed of briars, afraid to move in case someone took his seat.” He was old in mind and body at my current age. Decades of braving the elements as a farm labourer; sweltering whilst picking tomatoes in glass houses close to Swords or freezing as he sat on a potato harvester near Donabate village where he purchased offal in a butcher’s shop.

Back then everyone had a defined role. His was to bring home the wage packet on Friday evening. Born, as World War One raged in 1917, he got a basic primary school education before embarking on a lifetime in the fields of Fingal. He had a simple life with few luxuries; living in primitive rented accommodation and traveling on a bone shaker bicycle. He owned two suits, a good one for Sundays, and another one for workdays. When the good one became a bit shabby it was demoted to weekdays and a new one was bought for Sundays. He never took a holiday, but opted instead to take two weeks extra pay each year. We always looked forward to the “holiday money”. He didn’t take a day off for my confirmation but choose to show his love by buying me my first wristwatch.

His downtime was spent tending a large vegetable and fruit garden where Adam and Eve wouldn’t have looked out of place, cycling long distances to visit extended family and friends and watching western movies on TV. On Sunday afternoons he would visit the local for a couple of pints. If he could board the Tardis and return to earth in 2024, he would assume he was on another planet. Although over a quarter of a century has come and gone since he passed, he still plays a part in my life. He was a good man, who did the best he could with limited resources. One wonders what he might have achieved if opportunity had knocked on his door.

By Jack Shanley

“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” picks up decades after the events of “War for the Planet of the Apes” with Caesar, the wise chimpanzee leader, a revered memory. Humanity has been ravaged by a virus, leaving a power vacuum filled by various ape communities. Enter Noa, a young gorilla raised on Caesar’s ideals of peace between species. His world is shattered by a brutal attack, setting him on a path of vengeance that unveils a brewing conflict within the ape society.

The film excels in its world-building. Gone are the lush, green landscapes; a sense of decay hangs over the overgrown ruins of human civilization. The ape settlements, particularly the technologically advanced underwater city, showcase the evolution of ape society.

The visuals are stunning, with sweeping vistas and detailed set design making the post-apocalyptic world both believable and captivating.

While the story lacks the emotional depth of the previous trilogy, it compensates with thrilling action sequences. Noa’s journey is punctuated by intense chases and battles, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. The film also delves into themes of legacy and the struggle to maintain peace in a world yearning for conflict.

However, “Kingdom” stumbles slightly with its pacing. The middle act drags a bit, with some repetitive plot points. The film also throws in a few convenient plot devices to propel the story forward.

Despite these minor stumbles, the film shines in its central performance by Owen Teague as Noa. He portrays the character’s rage and grief with raw intensity, making Noa a compelling protagonist.

“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” might not reach the heights of its predecessors, but it’s a worthy successor that expands the franchise’s universe. With its stunning visuals, thrilling action, and thought-provoking themes, it’s a compelling addition to the “Planet of the Apes” saga, leaving viewers eager for the next chapter in this ever-evolving ape kingdom. In all truth I’d recommend checking out “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” and see what you think of it, I shall give it a score of Four Stars. You can watch it at your local cinema today.

Director: Wes Ball– Rating: 12A – Genre: Action/Sci-fi– Run Time: 2h 25m Language: English. For more film content please follow @movies4fanatics on Instagram.

This month it’s all about the Daddies on Father’s Day! We like to buy Irish as much as possible so here are some of our favourite companies for gift ideas. For hampers, whether sweets, craft beers, wine or a picnic hamper of yummy treats, Hampers & Co. has a huge range to choose from, starting at €12.50 for their retro sweet hamper!

Despite the warmer weather, mornings and evenings are chilly and Irish company 4THArq has a wonderful range of Unisex joggers and sweatshirts; perfect for gifting Dads. We particularly love the stone collection. See www.4tharq.com.

Airmid shaving sets, made with essential oils, help keep Dads skin soft and smooth.
Tipperary Crystal has cool Dad gifts like sunglasses, socks, wallets, hats & more. Malena Shirts are brilliant – with a hidden zip behind the buttons, they give a streamlined look. Check our FB page where we’re giving away Malena shirts, Airmid set and Tipperary Crystal goodies https://www.facebook.com/mams.ireland

Fancy taking Dad to dinner? Acapulco Mexican Restaurant in Dublin city centre is scrumptious. They make their own nachos in house and their sizzling fajitas are delicious. Our kids love it too. It’s so good!
Looking to book a summer family break? Bracken Court has family friendly packages which include a host of activities. It’s a 5 min walk to beach and train station and easily accessible to Dublin city. Rooms are spacious; we love staying with our 4 children.

Another wonderful hotel is Four Seasons Carlingford. Recently refurbished, with spacious rooms, lovely restaurant, relaxing spa and pool. They have excellent family packages and there’s lots to do nearby including Skypark and Carlingford water activities.

For an oasis of woodland calm in Cavan countryside, Farnham Estate is great for family breaks. Delicious dining, woodland walks, golf course, spa and their famous indoor/outdoor pool. We had a family wedding here and it was completely fabulous!

Pillo Hotel in Ashbourne is a great spot for family breaks, with packages that include passes to Emerald Park where you can try the new rollercoaster! Easy access to Dublin city and Ashbourne village is lovely for a stroll through.

For more ideas on Father’s day gifts and summer break suggestions, go to www.mams.ie

By Jack Shanley

With this underrated classic hitting cinemas once again last month, it gave a fantastic opportunity to rewatch it and review it. After Hours directed by Martin Scorsese in 1985, is a darkly comedic exploration of one man’s surreal and nightmarish journey through the streets of New York City. With its frenetic pacing, eccentric characters, and Kafkaesque plot, the film immerses viewers in a world where every turn leads to increasingly bizarre and absurd situations. Set over the course of one long, eventful night, the story follows Paul Hackett (played by Griffin Dunne), a mild-mannered office worker who finds himself trapped in a series of misadventures after a chance encounter with a mysterious woman named Marcy (played by Rosanna Arquette). As Paul navigates the surreal landscape of downtown Manhattan, he encounters a colourful cast of characters, including eccentric artists, eccentric bartenders, and a vigilante mob, all of whom seem determined to thwart his attempts to return home. Scorsese’s direction is masterful in its ability to create and sustain a sense of escalating tension and unease. The film’s use of claustrophobic cinematography and discordant music adds to the feeling of paranoia and disorientation that permeates every scene. As Paul’s night goes from bad to worse, the audience is kept on the edge of their seats, never quite sure what twist or turn the story will take next. At its heart, After Hours is a black comedy that explores themes of alienation, urban isolation, and the absurdity of modern life. Paul’s descent into chaos serves as a darkly humorous commentary on the randomness and unpredictability of fate, as well as the often-absurd nature of human behaviour. The performances in After Hours are uniformly excellent, with Dunne delivering a standout performance as the hapless protagonist. His portrayal of Paul as a man caught in a Kafkaesque nightmare is both sympathetic and darkly funny, and he manages to convey a sense of mounting panic and desperation without ever veering into melodrama. In all truth I’d recommend checking out ‘After Hours’ and see what you think of it, I shall give it a score of Four Stars. You can buy ‘After Hours’ for €3.99 on YouTube. Director: Martin Scorsese – Rating: R – Genre: Comedy/Thriller – Run Time: 1h 37m Language: English. For more film content please follow @movies4fanatics on Instagram.

Communion season is in full swing now and if you’re worrying about hosting a get together at your home, perhaps you could go out for a bite to eat instead. Bracken Court Hotel in Balbriggan has some great Communion menus and offers that are affordable and delicious and they takes so much stress off parents on the big day. Everyone gets fed, you don’t have to cook and you come home to a clean house! That’s a definite win-win! We went to check out the newly refurbished bar and lobby at Bracken Court last weekend and enjoyed a girly Afternoon Tea. As always, the food was fresh and delicious and the staff couldn’t have been more friendly. We had some sandwiches and cakes left over and they were happy to parcel it up for us to take home. We’ve had family birthdays, retirement parties, weddings and communions there and it is a firm family favourite. If you are still getting the last bits and bobs together for the Communion, here are some helpful tips. Penney’s has a wonderful range of Spring clothing instore now, we particularly love the Rita Ora collection. There are floaty, romantic dresses for Mums, cute outfits for siblings and smart trousers and shirts for Dads and Communion boys. For fancy accessories, check out new Irish company balootclothing.com/ Gorgeous hairbands, bags and wraps to jazz up any outfit. If you would like to get the Communion child a special piece of jewellery, Absolute Jewellery have stunning bracelets, necklaces and earrings for girls. Tipperary Crystal have nice snazzy silver cross pins for boys, perfect to pop on the lapel of a jacket or waistcoat. They make a lovely keepsake. (Check out our FB page for Communion Jewellery competitions here:facebook.com/mams.ireland If you are hosting people at home, don’t be afraid to ask family and friends to bring along something to help out. Everyone has a special dish, whether its savoury or sweet or even a few bags of crisps and it’s a great help when people contribute! The most important thing is that the child and their whole family has the best possible day. That - and hopefully no rain!!