In this first episode of The Irish Property Podcast, Michael shares his journey from arriving in Ireland in 2011 with just €50 and no long-term plan, to building a portfolio of seven properties and achieving financial independence. What started as a short trip quickly turned into a new life - meeting his wife, starting a family, and navigating the challenges of the recession - all of which laid the foundation for his approach to money, investing, and risk.Michael explains how his path into property began almost by accident during his FIRE journey, when refinancing his first home allowed him to upgrade and become a landlord. Since then, he has scaled his portfolio through a mix of personal and company-owned properties, focusing on one key principle: yield. By targeting strong rental returns and using bank leverage wisely, he has been able to grow equity over time and reinvest into new opportunities.While honest about the risks, setbacks, and effort involved, Michael shares why he still loves property investing — from analysing deals to building long-term wealth. Despite negative headlines about landlords exiting the market, his core message is clear: property investing in Ireland is still very much possible for those who understand the numbers, structure deals properly, and take a long-term view.Show Notes:The Irish FIRE Podcast:https://www.firepodcast.ieSubscribe to The Irish Property Podcast newsletter:https://www.propertypodcast.ie