I'm Grand Mam podcast duo help first time buyers get a home (including themselves)

I'm Grand Mam's Kevin Twomey and PJ Kirby always find the funny side of things on their podcast, but the pair aren't afraid to weigh in on serious issues. The Cork natives' latest project sheds light on the difficulties of buying a home in Ireland today.

The duo is starring in the latest season of Virgin Media's Help Me Buy a Home, which is sponsored by Bord Gáis Energy, alongside their onscreen 'mammy', buying agent Liz O'Kane.

Kevin explained the importance of the pair appearing on the show, in an attempt to represent first-time home buyers, who are understandably in need of direction to help navigate the housing crisis.

'It is very much of the moment. It's on the tip of everyone's tongue, you meet people who are going, "Oh my god, we didn't go this weekend because we're putting the money away."'

While the pair, who are in their early thirties, have grown accustomed to hearing their friends struggle as they attempt to buy their first home, they point out another group who are struggling... parents.

'So many other people are still at home living under the one roof and parents are just as traumatised by the whole scenario and they are wondering if they will ever have a gaff to call their own as well,' Kevin explained.

'I think that's the appeal of the series. It's applicable to everyone and it's something that everyone is always thinking and talking about.',

PJ recalled the moment a mum and her daughter came up to the pair to gush about their appearance on the show. 'We were ecstatic because it was the two of them sitting down and watching it together. It was like a nice bonding moment.'

'That's a good point on the series itself, the fact that it is just as relevant for a mother watching it, as it is for the daughter,' Kevin added.

PJ and his husband Jose Galang, who tied the knot in a fairytale woodland wedding in September 2024, are currently in the market for a home.

The newlyweds are currently renting in North Dublin, with PJ explaining that they are in 'no rush' to find their forever home, after changing his outlook on the type of house he wants.

He explained that he focused more on dreamy interiors in his younger days (we have all fallen victim to a cottage core Pinterest board or two.) Now, PJ places more emphasis on more practical matters.

'I've learned a lot from the show,' the Cork native said. 'I think the way I would think about houses before was much more from a sales point of view of "Oh I want like this cool loft, I like this countryside home" but I never thought about when it's done.'

'You don't want it to cost you a bomb for the rest of the time you have it. I never thought that way before.'

'I think I've learned that I want something with a bit more character, so I probably will look at the derelict homes route. I do think it's going to take a bit longer, but the end result will be better in the long run hopefully.'

Kevin finds himself in a different position, as he is currently renting a flat in London. The Douglas native has often toyed with the idea of moving home on their podcast, but he won't be making the change just yet.

'London is very much a city to be enjoyed in your youth,' he joked. 'I think I would like to forego the smog and the pollution, and the blackening of the lungs, by moving back to our lovely island.'

'Being part of the show did make me go, "Well, geez, there's so much more scope, and you can get more bang for your buck than people might realise.'

'It's probably in the back of my mind (to move home) but it just solidified it after being part of this series.'

You can catch the hilarious duo asking all the important questions on the second season of Help Me Buy a Home, which is sponsored by Bord Gáis Energy, at 8 pm on Sunday nights on Virgin Media One and Virgin Media Player.

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