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Money Diaries follow-up A Kilkenny agricultural worker looks back at her spending

This week, our reader has a different and much lower spend in her life now that she and her husband are empty-nesters.

WELCOME TO HOW I Spend My Money, a series on The Journal that looks at how people in Ireland really handle their finances.

We’re asking readers to keep a record of how much they earn, what they save if anything, and what they’re spending their money on over the course of one week.

Are you a spender, a saver or a splurger? We’re looking for readers who will keep a money diary for a week. If you’re interested send a mail to money@thejournal.ie. We would love to hear from you.

Each money diary is submitted by readers just like you. When reading and commenting, bear in mind that their situation will not be relatable for everyone, it is simply an account of a week in their shoes, so let’s be kind.

Last time around, we heard from a hospitality manager on €55K living in Munster. This week a Kilkenny agricultural worker revisits her diary after four years and realises how much has changed financially.

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Four and a half years ago, I submitted a diary and it was published. As my circumstances have changed quite a bit, I’ve decided to send an updated one.

I have six children, three abroad, all gainfully employed. We’re empty nesters now!

Occupation: Agricultural worker

Age: 63

Salary: €32000 approx

Monthy pay (net):  €2000 approx. My husband contributes €800/month to household expenses. He’s a pensioner who works part -ime in the same job as me, but in a different department. He loves his job and plans to continue as long as he can. I’m considering deferring my own pension if my health allows.

I try to save €100/week into a separate savings account with no real goal. Trying to create a buffer I suppose but I often dip into it for unexpected expenses or to treat myself. I also have a very small private pension plan that I pay €20/week into.

Monthly Expenses

Transport: €120. We live very near work so we don’t spend much on diesel. If we’re going to Dublin, we generally take the train as my husband has a companion travel pass.

Mortgage: None. Paid off July 2022

Household bills: €1,200. All paid via direct debit weekly to our local credit union. €100/ car loan, finished end March, €100/ motorhome loan (I treated myself to a modest motorhome when the mortgage was paid! Have had some lovely trips around Ireland since we got it, but have yet to venture abroad. Would highly recommend it to anyone, the sense of freedom is great!), €100/budget account which covers all the main bills; Electricity, Solid fuel, Car and motorhome tax, insurance, servicing, repairs etc.

Phone: €30 payg

Groceries: €400 approx

Health insurance: none

Subscriptions: Netflix, that we rarely watch, paid by one of our sons.

********

Monday

7.45 am: Haul myself out of bed, hate getting up these dark mornings. Gently encourage hubby to rise and shine too! Let the dogs out to the toilet.

8.00 am: Porridge, banana and flaxseeds with tea for hubby. I tend to vary it. Today it’s toast and cheese spread with tea. We log in at work at 8.15. Our hours officially are 7.30 to 15.30, a throwback to Covid times when we were put in bubbles of 3 or 4 and allocated different start, lunch and finishing times and that has largely continued. As we are the seniors in the job, they cut us some slack!

10.00 am: I have a banana, I suffer from IBS and I find eating little and often is a big help.

12.00 pm: Lunch is a sandwich, fruit and yoghurt, prepared last night. We have good facilities at work, hot water boiler, toaster microwave fridge etc. Tea and coffee supplied.

12.30 pm: Back to work for the afternoon. Hubby goes home at 1.30 pm and I finish at 4 pm.

4.30 pm: Home now and a cup of tea before putting on the dinner, chicken casserole in the slow cooker for 3 hours on high!

7.00 pm: We eat dinner in front of the telly, hubby falls asleep, I scroll on my phone while watching the soaps.

9.00 pm: Tidy up after dinner, feed and let the dogs out. Make lunches and set up breakfast for the morning. More telly and bed around 11.30.

Today’s total: €0.00

Tuesday

8.10 am: Late this morning, didn’t get up till 8.10, breakfast as yesterday, in work for 8.45.

10.00 am: Banana as usual.

12.00 pm: Lunch, same as yesterday. Hubby goes home at 1 pm and I work till 4.30 pm.

5.00 pm: Tea and a biscuit and watch a small bit of TV. I’m trying to do a bit of decluttering, clearing out stuff left behind by the kids when they moved out. Stuff they insisted they wanted to keep but is still in the spare room three years later!

6.00 pm: We have dinner, bacon chops, frozen cabbage and turnip with jacket potatoes. I always buy frozen veg now, less waste and less work for me!

7.00 pm: Watch some TV and scroll on my phone after dinner.

9.00 pm: Feed the dogs, let them out, make lunch and set out the breakfast things. Another bit of TV and bed for 11 pm.

Today’s total: €0.00

Wednesday

7.30 am: Up and awake. It’s just me going to work today, hubby doesn’t work Wednesdays anymore.

7.500 am: He drops me to work after breakfast and I clock in for 8 am.

10.00 am: And it’s the usual banana.

12.00 pm: Lunch of sandwich, fruit and yoghurt. Someone has brought in biscuits so I have a couple with my tea.

3.45 pm: Home at 3.45, tea and I have a snooze on the recliner with the dogs. Hubby is off somewhere so I have the house to myself.

5.30 pm: The hubby rings to say he’s on his way home, that’s my cue to put the dinner on. Today it’s chicken burgers with homemade chips and coleslaw.

7.00 pm: Watch the soaps until 9 pm and feed the dogs, make lunches and set up for breakfast. Hubby goes to bed before me, to watch documentaries on his phone. He’s hard of hearing so has to have the volume turned way up and it deafens me!

Today’s total: €0.00

Thursday

8.00 am: Up at 8, dogs out and in, breakfast of usual porridge for hubby. I have poached egg on toast.

10.00 am: You guessed it… banana.

11.45 am: Staff meeting which goes on for an hour. It’s a monthly thing, same old, same old.

1.30 pm: Our lunch is late today cos of the meeting, 12.45, same as usual, sandwich, fruit and yoghurt.

2-4.00 pm: Hubby finished at 2 pm and I finish at 4.15 pm. It’s raining so I get a lift with a colleague. If it’s fine, I usually walk home.

5.00 pm: We have to go into town today so decide to have pub grub for dinner. Hubby has bacon and cabbage and a pint of Heineken and I have the fish and chips and a pint of Miwadi. He pays.

6.30 pm: Home, have tea and a biscuit and settle down to watch a bit of TV till 9 pm when I do my usual nighttime routine.

Today’s total: €0.00

Friday

7.30 am: Up and in work for 8.15. I could give up Friday work, it’s the least busy day for me. Maybe later in the year. I usually finish up with hubby on Fridays at around 2 pm. I love Fridays! Always my favourite day of the week. No lunches to make!

3.00 pm: Today I have to go to our local recycling centre. We don’t have a bin service and I am an avid recycler. We live close to the county centre so we are able to get rid of anything that we need to.

5.00 pm: I take the dogs for a walk to a local park and head home.

6.00 pm: Dinner is baked potatoes with toppings.

9.00 pm: Hubby is off to the pub and I head to Aldi for the weekly shop which comes to €85.00.

Today’s total: €85.00

Saturday

8.30 am: Up and let dogs out and in, banana and toast for me and usual porridge for hubby.

9.00 am: It’s our weekend to work so we’re in and finish at 11.30. We have complete flexibility at the weekend so, barring any catastrophes, we’re usually in and out in less than three hours.

12.00 pm: Home and it’s a fry up for brunch.

1.30 pm: I sit down to watch Location, Location, Location on Channel 4 while hubby grumbles! I remind him that he can spend hours watching documentaries at full volume.

3.00 pm: I put on a wash and do some of the dreaded housework. I hate it and can’t understand how it gets so grubby but I suppose the dogs don’t help. Sometimes I’ll head into town and have a browse around the charity shops. I don’t have much reason to dress up so I spend very little on clothes. I sometimes get really nice preloved stuff online for a fraction of the original cost.

6.00 pm: We order a takeaway from the local chipper, two doner kebabs. Husband pays. I do very little cooking on Saturday!

Today’s total: €0.00

Sunday

8.30 am: Up and in work at 9 after the usual breakfast.

12.00 pm: Home at 12 noon and hubby has smoked mackerel for lunch and I have scrambled eggs. This time of year we tend not to do much travelling. Too cold and miserable but we might go for a drive on a fine day to meet up with family for a coffee if they were free but everyone is so busy these days, getting on with their lives.

4.00 pm: I stick on our Sunday dinner, roast chicken, roast potatoes, marrow fat peas and carrots.

5.00 pm: Chill for the evening until 9 pm when I feed the dogs, make the lunches etc etc and it starts all over again.

Today’s total: €0.00

Weekly subtotal: €85.00

What I’ve learned - 

  • I guess my life must appear very boring but I love being at home with my beloved dogs. They have in a way, replaced the children in my life. It’s also nice only having to consider hubby and myself when making decisions.
  • Looking back, I don’t know how we put the kids through college with all the associated expenses, while paying a mortgage on relatively modest wages. But you do what you have to, I suppose. I’ve always been a thrifty person so that helped.

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15 Comments
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    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute FoxyBoiiYT
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:36 AM

    That’s terrible, honestly not being sarcastic. These facilities are great for sports

    392
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    Mute Temp Stuff
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    Jan 24th 2025, 11:29 AM

    @FoxyBoiiYT: Hope they paid the insurance!

    43
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    Mute Tony
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    Jan 24th 2025, 12:22 PM

    @Luke Littler: Such a clown comment. Sure make some more stuff up in your head there and blurt it out lad.

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    Mute Barry Lehane
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    Jan 24th 2025, 1:14 PM

    @Luke Littler: it was built perfectly. It should have been deflated before the storm. Like your head. Major questions will need to be answered.

    45
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    Mute Patrick MC Dermott
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    Jan 24th 2025, 1:54 PM

    @FoxyBoiiYT: It didn’t stand a chance.

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    Mute Patrick MC Dermott
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    Jan 24th 2025, 1:55 PM

    @Barry Lehane: Maybe they didn’t hear about the coming storm.

    11
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    Mute Barry Lehane
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    Jan 24th 2025, 2:06 PM

    @Patrick MC Dermott: couldn’t blame em sure they still on dial-up internet up there !

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    Mute brendan C5
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    Jan 24th 2025, 3:27 PM

    @Temp Stuff: and if they did, what will the renewal quote be. I’d say that place is finished if the insurance goes up dramatically. It was amazing to look at from the inside on how it was constructed.

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    Mute Jp Cleary
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    Jan 24th 2025, 9:20 PM

    @FoxyBoiiYT: Fear not…. Government will dip into taxpayers money for a quick grant.

    6
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    Mute Mairead O Connor
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:38 AM

    The Dome can be rebuilt.
    No lives were lost…

    202
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    Mute Jason Walsh
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:38 AM

    Surely they had to know what wind it could handle and do something about it the last few days. Fully destroyed now and they’ll probably pop up the exact same thing again only to be destroyed a few years later.

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    Mute Ger Murphy
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:40 AM

    @Jason Walsh: there’s always an expert…

    177
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    Mute Alan OConnor
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:40 AM

    @Ger Murphy: and Jason isn’t it.

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    Mute he didnt take the 120k because he already got it split over 3 years
    Favourite he didnt take the 120k because he already got it split over 3 years
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    Jan 24th 2025, 11:10 AM

    @Jason Walsh: ye they should have gone down the shops and got some windbreakers we use at the beach that would have saved it

    22
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    Mute John
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    Jan 24th 2025, 11:18 AM

    @Ger Murphy: it’s a fair point he’s making. When you pay over 3m to build a complex you’d expect to know what kind of weather conditions it can withstand

    69
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    Mute Alan Kennedy
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    Jan 24th 2025, 11:22 AM

    @Jason Walsh: It’s not Kansas Doherty!

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    Mute Éamonn O'Kane
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    Jan 24th 2025, 12:36 PM

    @Jason Walsh: winds at speed never recorded in Ireland before.

    14
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    Mute Tom O' Donnell
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    Jan 24th 2025, 1:40 PM

    @Éamonn O’Kane: Unprecedented by 1km/h. So we’ve had similar winds previously

    15
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    Mute John
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    Jan 24th 2025, 1:57 PM

    @Éamonn O’Kane: 1km/h more than previous records. Buildings are usually designed to withstand a much higher exposure to various conditions then possible or likely.

    14
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    Mute Patrick MC Dermott
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    Jan 24th 2025, 1:57 PM

    @Ger Murphy: He’s not wrong. Questions will be asked by insurers as to what steps were taken to minimise the damage

    18
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    Mute Jason Walsh
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    Jan 24th 2025, 2:01 PM

    @Alan OConnor: More expert then you buddy I’d say, I’ve experience in structural design and wind loading is always factored by 30-40%. That’s equivalent to 140-160kph winds for an inexperienced person as yourself.

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    Mute Vincent B
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    Jan 24th 2025, 5:19 PM

    @Jason Walsh: sure what could they do. It’s 150m x 100m Throw a few ropes over it and secure with some wooden stakes. The initial design should have been constructed with these storms in mind. But I’m no expert

    4
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    Mute den
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:37 AM

    Another excuse not to win Sam again this year!! Jeez

    69
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    Mute danny larkin
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    Jan 24th 2025, 12:07 PM

    @den: Connacht GAA don’t normally play in the All Ireland so doubt they’ll ever win Sam

    35
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    Mute Tony
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    Jan 24th 2025, 12:24 PM

    @Harry Paisley: I’m not sure you realise Connaught isn’t in the championship. It’s a region and not a county. Connaught has never and will never be in the all Ireland.

    18
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    Mute Mark R
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:41 AM

    These type of domes are supposed to be a ‘Temporary Structure’. Did the sales man tell them. otherwise?

    63
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    Mute Jack Dermody
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:46 AM

    @Mark R: we have Domes for decades in Ireland. It will be insured and will be back up in 6-9 months eat

    23
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    Mute Tony
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    Jan 24th 2025, 12:25 PM

    @Mark R: another expert. Lol

    13
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    Mute John Brown
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:38 AM

    Awful for the community…but seriously..tents in Ireland ?

    54
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    Mute Willie Marty
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    Jan 24th 2025, 1:00 PM

    @John Brown: what about the lads in the tents down by the canal.

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    Mute Leon
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:52 AM

    That’s a big let down

    35
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    Mute Seán O'Sullivan
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:46 AM

    How would checking it more often have prevented it collapsing ? Did they forget to add a ratchet strap and say that’s not going anywhere or something

    33
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    Mute John K
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    Jan 24th 2025, 11:36 AM

    @Seán O’Sullivan: they did say “that’s not going anywhere” but apparently they forgot to tug on the ratchet strap before saying it, a simple but crucial step of securing any load or vulnerable structure? Lessons will be learned.

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    Mute Tony
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    Jan 24th 2025, 12:26 PM

    @Seán O’Sullivan: Oh another expert, even have the lingo of ratchet straps. Amazing you aren’t running the world with your expert knowledge lad.

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    Mute John Staunton
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    Jan 24th 2025, 12:32 PM

    @Tony: Tony doesn’t get jokes…

    17
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    Mute niall Dorr
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    Jan 24th 2025, 1:25 PM

    They knew it was coming. Why not deflate it? And prepare?

    17
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    Mute Victor Carrera
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    Jan 24th 2025, 2:35 PM

    Credit: fireengineering.com
    The International Building Code, Chapter 31, Special Construction,1 requires these air-supported structures to withstand a wind load of 90mph/144kph for a three-second gust. The record was broken last night at 183kph. When the positive pressure from wind exceeds the internal pressure of the structure, the structure will begin to dimple on the windward side. This dimple may come in close contact with items within the structure, such as hanging lights or boards surrounding an ice rink, causing a puncture. When there is a strong wind weather advisory, the onsite engineer should increase the structure’s internal pressure.

    16
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    Mute Ronan Mc
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:37 AM

    Any pics?

    16
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    Mute P. V. Aglue
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:45 AM

    It cost 3 million to build, it should only cost a couple of hundred to repair.

    14
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    Mute Leon
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:54 AM

    @P. V. Aglue: I don’t know about that, what with inflation

    77
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    Mute J Bro
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    Jan 24th 2025, 11:53 AM

    @Leon: comment of the day

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    Mute Steve Bradshaw
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    Jan 24th 2025, 1:57 PM

    @Leon: it needs inflation to stay up….

    4
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    Mute Shimo F
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    Jan 24th 2025, 10:47 AM

    Well isn’t that wat insurance is for.

    11
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    Mute Kathleen Murphy
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    Jan 24th 2025, 12:22 PM

    They know they will not be insured for new building / construction unless it meets required specifications.

    10
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    Mute Tony
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    Jan 24th 2025, 12:28 PM

    @Kathleen Murphy: Thanks for your expert advice. Amazing how many experts there are on the journal comments. I’m surprised you have the time

    9
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    Mute Patrick MC Dermott
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    Jan 24th 2025, 1:59 PM

    @Tony: You haven’t offered any constructive comments other than criticizing others. You’re quite an expert

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    Mute DJ D
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    Jan 24th 2025, 2:23 PM

    @Tony: troll,,,alert!!!

    1
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    Mute Eugene Comaskey
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    Jan 24th 2025, 2:25 PM

    It is a real pity to see it destroyed . Was it a crazy thing to build in the first place ??. It seems that a tremendous amount of money was spent on it . Surely someone thought about deflating it yesterday ?.

    11
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    Mute Victor Carrera
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    Jan 24th 2025, 3:00 PM

    @Eugene Comaskey:
    It is not a quick or simple procedure. Normally only the supplier has the skills, not the local maintenance staff. If no backup power available for fans to maintain or increase pressure it may have dimpled and been damaged by internal structure such as goal post and then collapsed.

    6
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    Mute Patrick Newell
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    Jan 24th 2025, 2:32 PM

    And yet the dail is still standing……life aint fair at all

    9
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    Mute Annette Cooke
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    Jan 24th 2025, 12:47 PM

    Hope it’s gets fixed quickly for the locals. I also hope it will be stronger and better.

    8
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    Mute Jack
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    Jan 24th 2025, 3:04 PM

    Well I guess he meant the dome is completely destroyed, as the wider campus is fine, or nothing an aftermath clean up won’t sort.
    Questions should be asked why they chose a structure of its type ? there was kind of an inevitability about this situation.

    7
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    Mute Ádhamh Ó Nuanáin
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    Jan 24th 2025, 3:12 PM

    Will the architects/engineers be sued or will the tax payer need to foot the bill?

    6
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    Mute Darren Forde
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    Jan 24th 2025, 6:40 PM

    GAA awash with money id not worry to much

    6
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    Mute bernadette connaughton
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    Jan 24th 2025, 1:48 PM

    But sure of course it got destroyed a breeze would blow that thing away!!!

    4
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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Jan 24th 2025, 8:23 PM

    It is not as bad as it looks, all the groundwork is fine and the pitch is more or less intact. The need a new done section installed.
    In Longford you can clearly see that the wall was badly designed and made!

    3
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    Mute Kevin O Brien
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    Jan 24th 2025, 3:25 PM

    Mayo never going to win Sam now

    3
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    Mute Brian Smith
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    Jan 24th 2025, 4:41 PM

    THE GAA SHOULD GET IN CONTACT WITH THEIR PATRON NAMELY THE ARCHBISHOP OF CASHEL FOR MONEY TO REPLACE THIS DOME.IT WILL SAVE INSURANCE COMPANIES IN PAYING OUT MONIES AS THE CATHOLIC CHURCH HAS AN INTEREST IN THE GAA.

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    Mute Desmond Lyons
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    Jan 24th 2025, 12:49 PM

    My yurt is just fine this morning!

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    Mute William O leary
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    Jan 24th 2025, 8:28 PM

    who paid for it in the first place ..another gaa farce

    2
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