Joe Dolan on Money

Mullingar minstrel Joe Dolan would love to buy a big yacht, and feels that the price of petrol is a major rip-off.

What was your first job and how much did you get paid?
My first job was seeping the floor of Westmeath Examiner Office. I think I was getting about ten bob a week.

What is your biggest extravagance?
Spending on anything. If I walk into a place and I see something, I don't care whether I need it, if I like itI'll buy it.

Are you a spender or a saver?
I regard myself as a spender.

Did you buy Eircom shares?
No, I'm not that stupid.

Does money motivate you?
The need for money doesn't motivate me, but I like money. If I was doing a concert I never ask how much we are getting for it. I just go on and let the accountants do the rest.

What sort of car do you drive?
I drive an S320 Merc.

A Fashion statement? An ! to B job?
It's an A to B job. It is just something that I liked. It is a very fashionable car, but it's just something that I wanted.

What is the biggest rip-off in this country?
Petrol. You come into a garage and you see petrol at 69.9, and the garage down it's a different price. There's something wrong.

If money were no problem what would you like to buy?
A yacht. A big yacht.

What is your idea of a night out?
A quiet night out with friends in a restaurant, or to a local bar with the lads.

How much would you spend on a night out?
It depends on where you were. If you were in the Berkley Court you would spend more than if you were in Mother Kelly's outside Ballincollig in Cork.

What would your dream job be?
I always fancied myself a polititian, but in light of what's going on I decided I couldn't be that dishonest.