News
Retirement isn’t the answer

By Michael O’Connor, theislandinvestor.com
Financial Independence/Retire Early (FIRE), is an incredibly popular movement in Ireland.
The idea is that we should seek financial independence by maximising our savings and living well below our means.
These savings are then invested in low cost diversified index funds until you have accumulated a sufficient pool of money that allows you to retire early. I may be brushing over some of the details - but you get the gist.
I’m all for financial independence, it’s a huge part of what I do. It’s the second half that I’m not really on board with yet.
Early retirement
Every person I know, be it my parents, my friend's parents or my extended family members have either struggled with retirement or given up on it completely and gone back to work. We are seeing a growing trend of people ‘un-retiring’.
This trend doesn’t surprise me.
We seem to underestimate the loss of purpose that comes with retirement. A huge part of your life is suddenly ripped out and you’re just left with an empty cavity while those who once depended on you, move on seamlessly.
Mentally that can’t be easy.
You’ve undoubtedly lost a sense of self.
“I won’t be worrying about all that, I’ll be too busy holidaying and playing golf”.
Sure, there is the initial honeymoon period but think past that. Spending your days filling time just to fill time is sure to get old pretty quickly.
The general response to this one is; “Oh but I will have the freedom to do whatever I want”.
But why are you waiting until retirement to pursue ‘whatever you want’?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting people should work until they drop (literally), but trading your 40 healthiest years to a corporation in exchange for 20 years of freedom when your body is breakdown isn’t ideal.
Surely there is a balance
Why can’t we prioritise our hobbies in the best 40 years while working a bit less instead of working non-stop and then coming to an abrupt halt.
Why can’t we operate on a glide path system into retirement where you can work less, but still offer your skills and earn an income into old age.
As Michael O’Leary said "It’s better to wear out than rust out".
Granted this is a pretty idealistic view but there is surely another options besides making retirement your ultimate financial goal.
This whole rushing to the finish line idea just seems flawed to me.
Living on the breadline for years just so you ‘put your feet up’ a year or two earlier isn’t a financial plan.
You’re simply forgoing comfort now for perceived comfort in the future.
Make sure the sacrifices you are making are worth the trade-off.
Like most things in life, you need to find the balance.
*Come back to me on this one when I’m 55 and my future kids have squeezed me for every bit of energy and money I have. I’ll likely have a completely different take.
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News
Killarney twinned with Italian town
By Sean Moriarty It has taken 10 years but the Italian town of Casperia is now an official twin town with Killarney. The idea to twin the picturesque town near […]

By Sean Moriarty
It has taken 10 years but the Italian town of Casperia is now an official twin town with Killarney.
The idea to twin the picturesque town near Rome was first mooted by the old Killarney Town Council.
However, when town councils were discontinued in 2014 the task was handed over to Killarney Town Twining Association and was supported by the elected Killarney Municipal District members of Kerry County Council.
A delegation from the association and the council visited Casperia in 2019 to sign the Italian side of the twining agreement.
The pandemic further delayed the process but on Thursday last Killarney Mayor Niall Kelleher and Casperia Mayor Marco Cusso met to formally sign the charter in Killarney.
“This was honouring a commitment made by the former town council to establish a twinning under European guidelines back in 2014,” said association chairman Sean Counihan.
“Unfortunately the town councils were abolished and Killarney Town Twinning Association pursued the matter.
“We are delighted that the municipal authority saw fit to move the beautiful town of Casperia near Rome from association status to full twinning with Killarney.
“We deeply appreciate the members’ positivity in honouring the former Town Council’s decision.”
The signing between the two mayors took place over the St Patrick’s Festival weekend when Killarney Town Twining Association also welcomed groups from other towns like Pleindfeld in Germany and Concord, North Carolina, USA.
News
Music and fun at Fossa Rambling House
By Sean Moriarty The Fossa Two Mile branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann held its first Rambling House night of music and dance on Saturday night. Their return to the stage […]

By Sean Moriarty
The Fossa Two Mile branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann held its first Rambling House night of music and dance on Saturday night.
Their return to the stage was timed to coincide with the St Patrick’s weekend celebration and also marked the first big event at the Castlerosse Park Resort since it re-opened on Thursday night following its winter break.
As well as a feat of Irish music, dance and poetry, Fossa-based Ukrainians gave performances in their native language too.
“What a great night we had at our CCÉ Rambling House last Saturday night,” Chairman Tim Kissane said.
“There are so many people to thank that we apologise in advance if we miss anybody out. Firstly, to the management and staff Castlerosse Park Resort for hosting our event and the wonderful service they provided.
“To our very talented stalwart musicians Mike Jack, Noreen and Maura who entertained us all so well from start to finish.
“To all our guest performers, from The Racing Pigeons to the Biddy Group and all the singers, musicians and storytellers in between go raibh mile maith agaibh. Special mention to our Ukrainian singers who performed two songs in their native language for us on the night. Thank you to all our members and supporters and to Fear an Tí, Mick Myers agus Bean an Tí, Theresa Kissane who kept the night flowing. Our fireplace display was kindly lent to us by the Beaufort Pioneers and adorned with ‘things of old’ from Brendan O’Sullivan.”
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