Brendan Courtney's My First Home

On the Podcast this week...Jade Kirwan, known as the “self-build solo girl,” is a true force of resilience and ambition. Taking on the huge challenge of designing and building her own home entirely on her own, she’s become a powerful example of what’s possible with determination, courage, and self-belief.On the AIB podcast with Brendan Courtney, Jade shares a refreshingly honest insight into the realities of self-building, from the obstacles and doubts to the immense pride of creating something from the ground up. Her story is inspiring a new generation of women to step outside the traditional path, take risks, and build lives and homes completely on their own terms.For more information and to speak with a mortgage advisor, checkout aib.ie.

This week’s guests are Mark Rogers and Paul Kinsella; beauty influencer and interiors experts who have been together for years and tied the knot in 2021 becoming a stylish Irish duo known for their style, design and sharing their life online.Mark and Paul are not only partners in life & love but co- host the Glow Home Podcast and chat about why location was everything in their house hunt, and how they have transformed their space into a home that truly reflects them.Have a listen to this extraordinary & hilariously funny pair!For more information and to speak with a mortgage advisor, checkout aib.ie.

This week’s guest is the brilliant Fiona Frawley comedian, broadcaster, and one half of Spin 103.8’s Breakfast team, helping Dublin wake up laughing every morning.Off‑air, Fiona shares her home with her husband Duane Doogan and their dog Danish and as she tells Brendan, actually buying that home back in 2022 was anything but straightforward. From unexpected roadblocks to moments that felt more farce than fairytale, Fiona opens up about a house‑hunting journey that seriously tested her patience (and her sense of humor).It’s a light‑hearted, honest chat about comedy, radio, relationships and discovering that getting the keys to your dream home can sometimes come with a few plot twists along the way.There are plenty of practical tips along the way - so have your pen and paper ready - as well as moments of humour, heart and reassurance.If you’ve ever wondered if home ownership is possible, Fionas story proves that with the right support, it absolutely is. For more information and to speak with a mortgage advisor, checkout aib.ie.

This week on Brendan Courtney’s My First Home, Dublin-based content creator, brand advisor and former magazine editor Laura Cunningham shares her deeply honest and inspiring journey to buying her first home as a solo parent. From renting across Dublin to moving in with family to save, Laura shares the real story behind getting on the property ladder in today’s market. She opens up about the emotional highs and lows, navigating schemes like Help to Buy, and the determination it took to finally get her keys in 2024. There are plenty of practical tips along the way - so have your pen and paper ready - as well as moments of humour, heart and reassurance.If you’ve ever wondered if home ownership is possible, Laura’s story proves that with resilience and the right support, it absolutely is. For more information and to speak with a mortgage advisor, checkout aib.ie. 

PR founder, style influencer and all-round creative Rob Kenny joins Brendan for a warm, honest and often hilarious chat about the realities of getting on the property ladder. From renting a ‘chaotic but iconic’ Stoneybatter house in his twenties to eventually buying it, Rob shares the behind-the-scenes truth of navigating mortgages while self-employed, learning to save (the hard way), and discovering a love for interiors later in life. Now planning a wedding and dreaming of a forever home with his fiancé Shane, Rob reflects on what he’d do differently the second time around , and why having the right support makes all the difference. It’s a candid, relatable listen packed with humour, heart and plenty of reassurance for anyone starting their own home-buying journey blending personal insight with practical tips. For more information and to speak with a mortgage advisor, checkout aib.ie. 

There’s something special about a first home; it’s independence, stability, and the freedom to shape life on your own terms. But in Ireland today, taking that step can feel as daunting as it is exciting. That’s where Brendan Courtney’s My First Home comes in, offering inspiration and practical guidance for anyone navigating the journey. This week, TV presenter and digital creator Katja Mia joins Brendan to share her honest perspective as someone still figuring it out. From managing the challenges of self-employment to understanding the twists and turns of buying a first home, her story is relatable, engaging, and refreshingly real. Blending personal insight with practical tips - from saving for a deposit to early mortgage advice - this episode is a must-listen for aspiring homeowners looking for reassurance, guidance, and a reminder that the journey doesn’t have to be perfect to be extraordinary. For more information and to speak with a mortgage advisor, checkout aib.ie.