As we start our video call to record The Currency’s podcast, Donal O’Riain appears in front of a wall on which colourful framed paintings reminiscent of the French post-impressionist style depict sunny country scenes. The largest is centred around an imposing white bascule bridge, complete with engineering details such as counterweights and suspension cables. This is a fitting backdrop to O’Riain’s career. The 73-year-old has spent nearly half his life in France and joins the call from his home office in Paris. As for the painting’s theme, “most of the motorway bridges that you drive under or over in Ireland…

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