‘My nearest bank is 12 miles away in winter; my nearest post office is five miles away’

Des Lavelle is an author, seaman and photographer from Valentia Island. He has guided many thousands of visitors to the Skelligs on his boat, the Béal Bocht. He has also worked on the movie production team of the film Ryan’s Daughter. His latest book, Island Boy, has just been published. For more information on the book, visit obrien.ie.

What’s the most important lesson about money which your career as an author and seaman has taught you?

Money – and the pursuit of it for itself – is not a worthwhile target. Nor is the pursuit of everything that money can buy a worthwhile ambition.

What has the coronavirus crisis taught you about money?

Money doesn’t buy freedom.

What’s the best advice you ever got about money?

Pay as you go; if you can’t pay, don’t go! This was the mantra of my maternal grandmother.

What’s your favorite saying about money as Gaeilge?

Ní fiú biorán is é… It’s not worth a pin!

Do you still carry cash?

I carry a couple of €5 notes in my cell-phone wallet. It’s no hindrance tucked away there. I prefer cash to card – as the occasional non-availability of convenient cash tempers any hasty buying urges.

What’s the best – or worst – thing financially about living in Valentia?

The best thing is that there are no ongoing incentives or promotions to spend money; nor are there many outlets in which to spend it. Our village – Knightstown, with only one general grocer and two pubs – isn’t quite Grafton Street. The worst financial aspect of living at Glanleam on Valentia is that the nearest bank is 12 miles (19km) away in winter – even though summer ferry service shortcuts the distance to four miles. The fact that the nearest year-round post office is also some five miles away is another downside.

If you could design your own euro note, what image would you put on it?

Our natural national monuments.

What’s the most expensive country you have every visited?

Switzerland.

Your biggest financial mistake?

Selling my long-time home at Valentia’s Cable Terrace in the early years of the boom. Had I delayedI could have realized double the price.

Are you a spender or a saver?

I am not a spender. I don’t hanker for the latest gadget. I drive a 2004 car. The one commercial boat I owned – the Béal Bocht – lasted me for some 50 years.

The last thing you bought online?

I bought groceries online during the early Covid lockdown. They were delivered free to my door from SuperValu in Cahersiveen.

Would you buy Irish property now?

No. I am totally happy within my four seaside acres.

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

I would copper-fasten the financial security of my family. If I were to name a charity that might benefit from my good fortune, it would be the Royal National Lifeboat Institution – particularly the Valentia Island branch where I served as a volunteer over many years.

What was your worst job?

My worst job – which lasted only a few months – was as a laborer on the construction of Valentia Island’s bridge in 1968. I could have stuck it longer but I got a better offer – to join the Ryan’s Daughter movie production team as diver and marine adviser.

What could you not do without if tightening your belt?

My mobile phone, my iPad and my laptop (keeping in touch with family who live and work in the US is one of my greatest pleasures), my media accessories (to follow news) and to pursue a great pastime that suits my years and costs nothing – writing.