Beyond Money by Alpha Wealth

Thinking about investing but not sure where to start? Investing has never been more talked about, yet for many people in Ireland it still feels confusing or out of reach, and much of the advice online is written for the US or UK, where the rules are very different.

In this episode of Beyond Money, Nick Charalambous, Managing Director of Alpha Wealth, takes us back to basics and explains what investing actually looks like for someone living in Ireland.

We cover:

• What to have in place before you invest your first euro, from an emergency fund to your workplace pension
• The different ways to invest, whether through an app, a fund or with a financial adviser
• What Irish investors need to know about tax, costs and risk, including ETFs and deemed disposal
• What the new Personal Investment Account (PIA) could mean for you
• Real questions from people starting out, including how much to invest, what to choose to invest in and what to do when markets fall

If you’ve been meaning to make your money work harder but haven’t known where to start, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Beyond Money, our own David Looney, Financial Advisory Director at Alpha Wealth, is joined by Dr Aisling Farrell, a General Practitioner with a specialist interest in Lifestyle Medicine, preventative health and longevity.

We often spend years planning financially for a long retirement but how much thought do we give to the health and quality of life we hope to enjoy when we get there?

Dr Farrell explains the difference between simply increasing our lifespan and improving our healthspan, the number of years we live with good health, independence and vitality. She discusses how the everyday choices we make around nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress, social connection and purpose can have a significant impact on the way we age.

There is a strong connection between looking after your health and looking after your finances. In both cases, the earlier you begin, the greater the potential long-term benefit. It is about understanding where you are today, identifying where you want to be in the future and getting the right professional guidance to help you create a realistic and sustainable plan.

Dr Farrell also speaks openly about the importance of having trusted experts in your corner including the value she has found in working with a financial adviser herself.

She leads the Lifestyle Medicine service at the UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic’s Swords Outreach Centre, where patients can access one-to-one consultations, comprehensive health screening and personalised, evidence-based plans designed to reduce future health risks and support a longer, healthier life.

This is a fascinating and practical conversation about taking control of your future, making meaningful changes and giving yourself the best possible opportunity to enjoy the life and the retirement you are working so hard to build.

Enjoy the conversation.

In this episode of Beyond Money, we're joined by our own David Looney, Certified Financial Planner and Financial Advisory Director at Alpha Wealth, to look at why so many Irish households are sitting on record levels of cash savings and what that means for their long-term financial future.

David explains why deposit accounts remain the default choice for so many savers, even as inflation steadily erodes the value of that money, and what's holding people back from investing instead. He unpacks the real difference between saving and investing, and what long-term investing can offer that cash sitting on deposit simply can't.

Cliona and David also look ahead to Budget 2027, where Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris is expected to give further detail on a proposed new Government-backed savings and investment scheme, designed to encourage people to move money out of low-interest accounts and into capital market investments. They discuss what's known so far, the questions still to be answered, and how a scheme like this could change the way ordinary savers approach growing their money.

An honest and practical conversation about the benefits of saving, the opportunity cost of playing it too safe and what to watch for as Ireland's savings landscape prepares for one of its biggest shifts in years.

In this episode of Beyond Money, we’re joined by Cork entrepreneur Conor Galvin, founder of Press Print Paper and one of the Irish contestants who took on The Apprentice in 2026.

Conor shares the story behind Press Print Paper, his innovative business that transforms special moments into personalised, vintage-style newspapers for weddings, corporate events, sporting occasions and more. What started as an idea quickly grew into a thriving business operating across Ireland, the UK and beyond.

David and Conor discuss the journey of building a business from the ground up, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and what Conor learned from putting his business and himself under the spotlight on one of television’s toughest business competitions.

From his experience in the boardroom to growing Press Print Paper and his ambitions for the future, Conor offers an honest insight into what it takes to back yourself, deal with setbacks and keep pushing your business forward.

A fascinating conversation about entrepreneurship, ambition, resilience and the lessons that come from putting yourself outside your comfort zone.

In this episode of Beyond Money, we sit down with John Boyle and Tom Edwards, the founders of Stone Valley Roasters, to explore how a shared passion for great coffee turned into one of Ireland's leading specialty coffee brands.

What began with two musicians discussing coffee on the way to a gig has grown into a thriving business, roasting specialty coffee in the heart of Clonakilty and supplying cafés, restaurants and coffee lovers across Ireland.

John and Tom share the realities of building a business from the ground up, the lessons they've learned as entrepreneurs, and why staying true to quality, authenticity and community has been central to their success. They also discuss the growth of Ireland's specialty coffee industry, the importance of building a strong brand, and how passion can become a sustainable business.

Whether you're a coffee enthusiast, an aspiring entrepreneur or simply interested in hearing the stories behind successful Irish businesses, this episode is packed with practical insights, honest advice and plenty of inspiration.

In this episode of Beyond Money, we’re joined by Pat Falvey, entrepreneur and founder of Blarney Brewing Company and co-founder of Active Brewing, for an inspiring conversation about building businesses, spotting opportunities and disrupting traditional industries.

After a successful career in property, Pat took on a completely new challenge by entering the brewing industry with a vision to create an independent Irish brewery focused on quality, sustainability and value. He shares the story behind building Blarney Brewing Company from the ground up, the lessons learned along the way, and why backing yourself is essential when taking on established players.

The conversation also explores the launch of Active Brewing, an innovative alcohol-free brewing company combining premium brewing with health and wellness. Pat discusses changing consumer trends, the rapid growth of the non-alcoholic drinks market, and why he believes functional beverages represent the future of the industry.

From entrepreneurship and innovation to resilience, branding and scaling a business, this episode is packed with practical insights for aspiring entrepreneurs, business owners and anyone interested in building a brand that challenges the status quo.

In this special episode of Beyond Money, we bring you Part Two of the live recording from Alpha Wealth’s Motivate. Prepare. Empower. event at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Featuring insights from Carrie McDermott, Mairead O’Driscoll, Lesley Giltinan and David Looney, this conversation explores key themes across legal, tax, wellness and financial planning, offering practical guidance for both personal and professional life.

Each speaker shares their expertise on preparing for the future, making informed decisions, and building resilience across different areas of life and business. From financial wellbeing to legal awareness and overall health, this episode highlights the importance of taking a holistic approach to success.

A must-listen for anyone looking to gain real-world advice from experienced professionals across multiple disciplines.

In this special episode of Beyond Money, we bring you the audio from Alpha Wealth’s Motivate. Prepare. Empower. event, held at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Featuring insights from world-class athletes, business leaders and industry experts, this episode explores what it takes to perform at the highest level, build resilient teams and develop a mindset for long-term success. From leadership and motivation to preparation and wellbeing, our speakers share the lessons that have shaped their careers both on and off the field.

With contributions from Bernard Jackman, Peter O’Mahony, Sonia O’Sullivan, Conor Niland and a panel of experts across finance, tax, law and wellness, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiring stories for business owners, leaders and anyone looking to unlock their full potential.

Whether you're striving for peak performance in sport, business or life, these conversations offer valuable lessons on how to motivate, prepare and empower yourself and those around you.

In this episode of Beyond Money, David Looney sits downwith Alan Purcell, founder of Cloud Accounts,to discuss the realities of modern accounting, tax planning and building abusiness in Ireland.

A Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser, Alanfounded Cloud Accounts in 2019 with the aim of simplifying tax and accountingfor individuals, employees and business owners through practical,easy-to-understand advice.

In this conversation, Alan shares his journey fromtraditional accounting into entrepreneurship, the biggest financial mistakespeople make, and why understanding tax can have a major impact on long-termwealth. David and Alan also discuss entrepreneurship, financial education,pensions, investing and the importance of making finance more accessible foreveryone.

An insightful episode packed with practical advice,real-world examples and straightforward financial guidance.

In this episode of Beyond Money, Clíona sits down with Max Kahn and Robbie O’Flynn, co-founders of Crush Coffee, to explore how they built one of Cork’s most recognisable coffee brands.

What started as a simple idea during lockdown, serving coffee from a converted horsebox, quickly evolved into a thriving business, with locations including the ever-popular Marina Market.

Max and Robbie share the journey behind scaling Crush Coffee, the realities of starting a business in uncertain times, and how community, consistency and quality helped them grow a loyal customer base. They also discuss the challenges of expansion, building a brand in a competitive market, and what’s next for the business.

A conversation full of honest insights on entrepreneurship, resilience and turning a small idea into a standout success story.