‘I won a 15-1 bet on a hole-in-one at the Irish Open in the early 1990s’

MYLES Dungan is a broadcaster and author. He presents RTÉ’s The History Show, which airs on Sundays at 6pm on RTÉ Radio 1. He was also a regular presenter of RTÉ’s television golf coverage in the 1980s and 1990s.

Dungan had been scheduled to speak at the Hindsight festival in Kells, Co Meath. However, that has now been postponed due to the coronavirus crisis. For more information about the festival visit hinterland.ie.

What’s the most important lesson about money which your career has taught you?

As a broadcaster, and as someone who has been a freelance broadcaster for 23 years, I have learned to put away money in good times. When times were good, my lifestyle didn’t necessarily reflect my income as when you’re in this line of business, you don’t know how long the good times will last for.

The best advice you ever got about money?

My brother — who was a bank manager and very sound with money — told me that when you’re buying your own house, you should stretch yourself.

You may think that you can’t afford it at the time, but what’s a real stretch at the time won’t be a stretch in three to four years’ time.

The most expensive country you ever visited?

When I was teaching in my 20s, I went on a school tour to Belgium and Holland. That was my first contact with the continent of Europe — and I couldn’t believe how expensive it was. Mind you, that was a long time ago — before inflation took off in Ireland — so when I visited those countries recently, I didn’t find them as expensive.

What’s your favourite Irish coin or note?

I’ve a great grá for the old half crown from my childhood. I also liked the old penny coin with the hen on it. However, the half crown meant you were better off — so when your aunt or uncle slipped a half crown into your hand, it was consolingly large.

Apart from property, what’s the most expensive thing you have ever bought?

I’ve a small collection of original cartoons — including an original Garry Trudeau and Martyn

Turner — which I’ve bought over the years and spent a good bit of money on.

What was your worst job?

Working very briefly in a tobacco factory in north London when I was a student. I wasn’t a smoker, and my recollection is that it was quite badly paid and real assembly-line stuff.

What was your biggest financial mistake?

Selling or buying a house or apartment at the wrong time.

What was your best financial killing?

I’m not a gambler but because of my previous involvement presenting golf on TV, I put money on a hole-in-one on the Irish Open golf championship in Killarney in the early 1990s, as some local bookie had odds of 15-to-one on it. I managed to get the bet in before the bookie lowered the odds and I made a lot of money from that.

Are you better off than your parents?

Yes, definitely — as they would have been better off than their parents before them.

If you won the Euromillions, what would you do with the money?

I would buy an apartment in San Francisco. I’d have to spend all the Euromillions win to buy it though, as property is so expensive in San Francisco. iTunes or Spotify? iTunes and vinyl. I’m very much going back to vinyl. I love it. When CDs came out, I would buy CDs of which I had vinyl copies — now I’m doing the reverse.

What was the last thing you bought online? A book or DVD. I still buy DVDs.

Would you buy Irish property now?

No, I wouldn’t buy Irish property now as it’s wickedly overpriced.

What three things would you not be able to do without if you were tightening your belt? Books, music and movies.