‘Your health is your wealth, and that is more pertinent now’

MARK Redmond, one of the country’s leading uilleann pipers, is from Gorey, in Co Wexford. He has performed with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra — including as soloist during the State visit of Queen Elizabeth to Ireland.

When the Eucharistic Congress was held in Ireland in 2012, he played solo during the closing Mass at Croke Park.

When the renowned uilleann piper Liam O’Flynn became ill in 2017, he stepped in to perform ‘The Brendan Voyage’ in the National Concert Hall on St Patrick’s Night.

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

Always keep accurate details of past gigs — as unfortunately, you sometimes have to do a lot of chasing up to get paid.

What’s your favourite song about money?

It has to be ‘Money Makes the World Go Round’ — from the musical, ‘Cabaret’. In college, I shared a house with a school friend, who was studying accountancy. I am certain that he saved every penny, so I used to play that to drive him mad! I think of him every time I hear this song now.

Has the coronavirus crisis taught you anything about money?

Well, although we all knew beforehand that ‘your health is your wealth’, that is more pertinent now than ever. The Covid-19 travel restrictions also made me realise the amount I spend on diesel.

The most expensive country you ever visited?

I find parts of France unbelievably expensive. A bowl of onion soup for €25 in Rennes comes to mind!

What’s the most you’ve ever spent on musical equipment?

I’d be afraid to tell you how much a set of uilleann pipes cost — but they’ll make me the money back that I spent on them and I’ll hopefully have them for life. So I never look at them as expensive, as such.

What’s your favourite Irish coin or note?

The old £50 note designed by Robert Ballagh with Douglas Hyde on the front and the uilleann piper

Jack Twomey on the back. I regret not keeping one when the currency changed.

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

Probably my car as I paid for it straight up.

What was your worst job?

When I was in transition year in secondary school, I worked in an outdoor amusement centre where there was endless noise, screaming children and sun burn! I lasted two weeks.

What was your best financial killing?

Another school memory. In about 2006, I won a car stereo (when they were all the rage!) after buying a €2 raffle ticket. I didn’t own a car so I sold it for about €100.

Are you better off than your parents?

Yes, and no. My parents lived through tougher times — yet it was easier for them to buy a house.

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

I am not interested in villas or châteaus and so on. I would buy a house in the Gorey area and keep enough for myself and my family. Beyond that, I often say that I would like to be the Lorenzo de Medici of my hometown (that is, a patron of arts and culture). Then again, I would nearly give it all to see Wexford win the All Ireland Hurling Championship!

The best advice you ever got about money? My mother used to say something like: ‘A euro is a lot of money if you don’t have it’. In other words, don’t blow your money.

iTunes or Spotify?

I’m old-fashioned and still very much into CDs.

What was the last thing you bought online?

A 1914 publication: ‘Feis Ceoil Collection of Irish Airs’.

Would you buy Irish property now?

Yes — if I had the money to spare. It always seems like a good investment.