Boom Times, Not Boom Times
Arriving in Ireland, first impressions, and the legacy of the Celtic Tiger.
0:31 — The Celtic Tiger era: Irish attitudes toward the boom years and the real estate bust.
0:59 — The aftermath: Bank bailouts, national debt, and the business context we found as we moved to Ireland to open Slack’s AMEA HQ.
1:22 — Learning Irish business culture: Distrust of wealth and the influence of Catholic history.
1:55 — Money and Irish identity: Tension between enthusiasm for success and fear of collapse.
2:18 — Reading up: Michael Lewis on the Celtic Tiger and the mythic importance of land ownership.
2:42 — The Irish play the field: Land, history, and the new tech-driven boom.
3:04 — The new boom: US tech companies, Slack’s role, and Irish identity.
3:37 — Rich and poor: Tax avoidance, emigration, and the evolving Irish diaspora.
4:30 — A changed Ireland: Return migration, new opportunities, and a maturing economy.
5:25 — Dublin’s transformation: Housing shortages, digital nomads, and Slack’s diverse team.
6:24 — Irish hidden culture: Home counties, accents, and university traditions.
6:54 — Upward mobility: Dublin’s draw, real business, and the flow of venture capital.
7:38 — Tech’s impact: 10–20% of Dublin’s workforce in tech, joining a new world.
8:02 — Real estate stories: House prices before, during, and after the crash.
8:48 — Lingering effects: The Celtic Tiger’s hangover, corporate and personal taxes.
9:14 — Taxes in Ireland: High rates, deductions at source, and a sense of shared burden. An automated tax system: No returns for most, a mix of relief and helplessness.
10:04 — Playground conversations: Meeting locals, signs of a new boom.
11:45 — Exploring Dublin: Buses, the zoo, and the city’s layered history.
12:19 — Glimpses of hardship: North side poverty, abandoned buildings, and urban contrasts.
12:44 — Dublin in transition: The city’s past and future, setting up the next story.
13:20 — Closing: Thank you and a teaser for the next episode.
