Eugene Devereux, founder of Irish Boostrapper, and his BMW 3 Series CoupeIrish Bootstrapper was founded by Eugene Devereux and promotes positive mental and physical health through travel and adventure. Eugene produces the popular podcast The Bootcast, which features inspiring interviews with people living and working in the travel and adventure space. Eugene also loves cars and he accepted our invitation to feature on Changing Lanes with his BMW 3 Series Coupe! I spoke to Eugene about the story behind Irish Bootstrapper, his favourite travel memories, and the most memorable journey he ever took in his BMW.
1. Can you introduce yourself in a few sentences?
Hi, I’m Eugene Devereux from Carlow, Ireland. My passions lie in travel, adventure and business, while my interests are in tech, media, music, motors and of course Ireland. My professional background is in media, sales and marketing, and in 2019 I started a new Adventure/Travel brand called Irish Bootstrapper.
Irish Bootstrapper: A new travel and adventure brand2. What inspired Irish Bootstrapper?
I’ve always had a love of travel and adventure, ever since taking my first flight to Wales at 14 years old. Since then, I’ve been to a lot of Europe, the US and most recently South East Asia. Also, I take part in adventure races around Ireland, which are a fun, challenging way to see the country and meet new people. I had always wanted to start my own business. So, when I went travelling in 2019, I started Irish Bootstrapper effectively as a blog and it naturally progressed into what you see today: a fresh Irish brand bringing you travel and adventure products, services and content with will one day be a global powerhouse in the space.
3. As you’ve travelled the world, have you made any observations about cars and transport in other countries?
European cites: They love to drive cars and in general smaller cars. Take Paris or Amsterdam with their Smarts, Fiat 500s and little Renaults .
Asian Cities: They love to drive 2-wheelers!
Cambodia: Tuk-tuks and rickshaws are common public transport options.
Vietnam: The bus drivers take no prisoners! On your little scooter, get out of their way! Streets are narrower and very congested in the Vietnamese cities, like Ho Chi Minh, so it’s a space thing. And, you’d be surprised what you can get onto a Honda 50! I’ve seen anything from a chicken pen to a ghetto blaster to literally somebody’s entire home on the back of a scooter whereas in Ireland or Europe, you might think you need an SUV with a roof rack and hitch for doing the same journey. Resourcefulness with their vehicles I guess.
Irish Bootstrapper reaches Ho Chi Minh4. What has been your most memorable car/transport moment to date while travelling?
In South East Asia, being a passenger on my friend’s scooter on my first night in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. The sheer volume of traffic (99% 2-wheelers) and what appears to be absolute pandemonium is a total driving-awakening to somebody from a small Irish town.
In Europe, doing a road-trip with three friends from Nice in the South of France, along the coast and up into the French mountains, going through places like Grasse, Antibes, Castellane and another little gem of a town high in the mountains.
An absolutely amazing journey in terms of driving experience, scenery and stop off points. And all in a trusty Peugeot 307!
5. What in your opinion are three of the best road trips and which car would you choose to explore each of them?
Oh good question. From what I’ve done and what I’d like to do:
1) The South of France road trip mentioned above. You could start off in Monte Carlo and go through the coastal towns before heading into the mountains. I would do this again in an Ariel Atom. These are real “driver’s roads” and the car would be ideal for maximising the spectacular views en route.
2) A trip to the West of Ireland and around the West, in something like a VW Camper. The West is so amazing in terms of terrain, scenery and its rugged Irish appeal, as well as a host of activities and traditional taste along the way.
3) The entire Route 66 in either an original Mustang or Dodge Charger. Clichéd maybe but it would be so “American muscle”!
When not travelling abroad, Eugene is driving the 2010 BMW 3 Series Coupe6. Tell us about your car/what do you like about it?
I drive a 2010 BMW 320d M Sport Coupé. It’s a lovely car to drive, it’s reliable and actually quite fuel-efficient for a 184 bhp 2 litre. The boot is pretty big for packing for trips around Ireland and long journeys are comfortable, even on the low-profile 19s. It can be fun in the wet too!
7. Most memorable journey to date with that car? Where did you go?
Probably driving it back from Wales when I bought it. I was so excited to have bought it and the journey from Cardiff, through Swansea and onto Fishguard before boarding the ferry was a great intro to my future with the car. I drove about 300 km in total so was pretty used to its handling and response by the time I pulled into the driveway at home!
The 2010 320d is powered by a 184 bhp 2.0-litre turbo diesel8. How did you prepare for the journey?
Got my insurance changed over, brought a few snacks for the way and filled the tank in Cardiff! I found it difficult to sleep on that ferry though.
9. What was on the stereo during this journey?
Born To Be Wild – Steppenwolf.
10. What did you learn from that journey?
If you really want to do something in life, make a bit of a plan to achieve it and then take the first step. It doesn’t have to be entirely mapped out with precision. Once you have a starting point, an end goal and a rough idea of how you might get there, the rest tends to fall into place. But anyway, it’s the journey that matters.
Hence, the Irish Bootstrapper tagline is “Become The Journey”.
Irish Bootstrapper in Saigon – eyes on the worldListen to The Bootcast here.
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Thanks to Eugene for taking part in our interview.