This week I’m joined with Darach Honan. I know Darach since we were kids and we actually played hurling together growing up.
Here’s the link to the full episode
Darach went on to represent Clare for many years and won an All Ireland in 2013. He was one of the top players in the country in his prime but unfortunately he had to retire early at 26 due to injury.
Since then, he has created a successful financial planning firm in Limerick.
The discussion involves an interview with Darach Honan who reminisces about his past, growing up with Conor in Clonlara.
Darach delves into his educational and career background, highlighting his studies in finance during the global financial crisis and his subsequent masters in financial services. He touches on the life choices he made, balancing his commitment to hurling with career aspirations.
Creating Work-Life Harmony: The Power of a Dedicated Workspace and Financial Literacy
Many of his decisions, including choosing universities and job locations, were influenced by his love for hurling and his strong ties to his hometown. However, he acknowledges the benefits of freeing up time post-hurling in terms of focusing on his professional growth. The discussion also touches on the demanding time commitment required by Inter-county hurling and its potential impact on players’ professional lives.
Darach elaborated on his transition from being employed by a company to becoming a business owner, shedding light on the complexities of non-compete agreements.
He emphasized their fortunate circumstances, where their former employer was understanding and cooperative, ensuring a seamless transition into entrepreneurship.
Furthermore, the discussion delved into the significance of establishing a dedicated workspace, a topic particularly relevant in the age of remote work.
Darach candidly recounted his initial work-from-home setup but soon recognized the necessity of a distinct office space. This decision was instrumental in maintaining a clear demarcation between his personal and professional life, allowing for greater work-life balance and productivity.
The conversation deepened into financial education, with an emphasis on the lack of financial literacy in Ireland.
Darach stressed the importance of starting financial planning and investments early, citing the advantages of compound interest and how delays can significantly impact the final savings outcome. The significance of seeking advice from trusted financial planners was also underlined.
Lastly, the interviewer touched upon common financial misconceptions, like the fear of an impending recession and concerns about investing.
The Wisdom of Long-Term Diversification: Darach Honan’s Investment Insights
Darach Honan explains the importance of long-term, globally diversified investments rather than timing the market. There’s a suggestion that investing heavily in tech giants (FANG – Facebook, Apple, Netflix, Google, and companies like Tesla) is risky despite their significant market share.
Instead, the preference leans towards global equity funds, which offer a balanced portfolio across various industries, though these funds still often have substantial tech exposure.
The conversation also touches on the personal impact of COVID-19 and the polarized perspectives it fueled. It underscored the importance of keeping an open mind, continuously challenging one’s views, and being willing to change opinions based on new information, rather than staunchly adhering to one camp.
When asked about influential people in his life, he highlights his wife, whom he met in college.
Their journey includes building a career and family together, underscoring the profound personal and professional impact she has had on his life.
You can check more about Darach Honan here:
Discover other episodes: Limerick High Performance Podcast