Beginner’s pluck: Multimedia journalist Adam Maguire

'The Bailout Babies' asks what has become of the generation, born in the boom, who had to contend with the crash?

Adam Maguire wrote 'The Bailout Babies' in six months, fitting the writing around his work shifts.

From a young age, Adam enjoyed writing stories and wanted to be a writer, and in his teens decided as a back-up plan he’d study journalism.

“I found I really liked it and, by the time I graduated, I wanted to pursue radio. Writing a book went onto the back-burner.”

He freelanced for five to six years, writing articles around technology, explaining blogs and YouTube.

“And then, in 2011, I started some freelance shifts in RTÉ, eventually working on the business desk website, and then, over 10 years ago, I went into radio and TV full-time, doing Morning Ireland, TV news, website features, and Drivetime, and, more recently, regular pieces telling stories around consumer affairs, on Today with Claire Byrne.”

It was these that led to his book.

Looking at these trends, I wondered it there was a way to develop the ideas, and I spoke to Sarah Liddy in Gill Books.

“We discussed how young people are behaving differently and are spending their money differently. There were so many interesting elements.”

He wrote the book in six months, fitting the writing around his work shifts. 

He wrote in cafes because, with builders in, he and the family were living with his in-laws, where he hadn’t a desk.

“I wrote it chapter by chapter.”

Who is Adam Maguire?

Date/ place of birth: 1985/ Dublin

Education: Rosmini Community School, Drumcondra; Coláiste Dhúlaigh, Coolock, diploma; then degree in Wolverhampton, England, in journalism and editorial design.

Home: Glasnevin, Dublin.

Family: Wife Sarah and children Fiadh and Ruadhán.

The day job: Multimedia journalist with RTÉ News.

In another life: “Maybe a baker. I was making sourdough before it became trendy.”

Favourite writers: Roald Dahl; JRR Tolkien; Naomi Klein; Donal Ryan; Jon Ronson; David Sedaris.

Second book: “I have lots of ideas that might work.”

Top tip: “Just do it now.”

Instagram: @adammaguire.

The debut

The Bailout Babies,

Gill Books, €22.99

What has become of the generation, born in the boom, who had to contend with the crash?

Looking at the trends through various people who have found alternative ways to cope, Maguire examines their lives and finds that many are frugal and want settled, monogamous relationships.

The verdict: Fascinating and accessible. Leads to real understanding of a new generation.