Expert Financial Advice Donegal – Who are we?
Advice First is an Irish owned financial services company based in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal offering a comprehensive range of expert financial advice Donegal and services for your Life Assurance, Retirement, Savings, Investment and Mortgage & Mortgage Protection needs.
As financial advisors Advice First have no ties to any one Institution or Insurance Company.
We work with
We offer a wide range of financial services including advice on Life Cover, Salary Protection, Pensions, PRSA’s, Investments, Savings & Mortgages. We recommend a holistic approach to financial planning and we can help you put your plans in place.
The team at Advice First Financial Services
Owned by Pascal Curran
Advice First Financial Services Ltd. trading as Advice First Financial was set up by Pascal Curran (on the 1st January 2005.
Pascal has a wealth of experience having been in the Life Assurance industry since 1992 working with the likes of Irish Life & Canada Life. He is also a member of the LIA & Brokers Ireland and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
In 2004 Pascal says “I became a disillusioned employee as the Industry was more interested in selling rather than giving advice, so I decided that I had to employ myself. I wanted to give advice first to people on their finances before selling anything, I couldn’t believe my luck when choosing a name of this venture, when Advice First Financial was not already in use. So that was it”
Pascal Curran QFA, APA
Director & Financial Advisor
Pascal has been helping people make informed financial and mortgage decisions for over 30 years. After working with Irish Life and Canada Life, he founded Advice First Financial Services in 2005 with a clear aim: to offer honest, straightforward advice built on trust. Today, Pascal continues to lead the firm with a steady focus on growing the business responsibly and helping more people build financial resilience through personalised advice.
email: pascal@advicefirst.ie
Mattleen
Company Secretary
Mattleen has been a valued member of Advice First since 2008. Now part of our administration team, she plays a key role in keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes. With years of experience and a sharp eye for detail, Mattleen ensures our advisors and clients are fully supported every step of the way.
email: mattleen@advicefirst.ie
Tanya QFA
Mortgage Administration Team Lead
Tanya joined Advice First in June 2011 and has brought her skills to several areas of the business over the years. With a Degree in Business Management and a deep understanding of how we work, she now leads our Mortgage Administration team. Tanya’s calm efficiency and broad experience make her a key part of delivering a smooth mortgage process for our clients.
email: tanya@advicefirst.ie
Aidan
Financial Services Administrator
Aidan joined Advice First in July 2022, new to the world of financial services. Since then, he’s become a key member of our Administration team. Working closely with our financial advisors, Aidan plays an important role in keeping clients’ application processes running smoothly from beginning to end.
email: aidan@advicefirst.ie
Shauna Duggan QFA, MA
Senior Mortgage & Financial Advisor
Shauna joined Advice First in March 2025, bringing over two decades of experience from her time with Ulster Bank. With a strong track record in financial advice, mortgage lending and operations, Shauna is known for her calm approach and deep expertise. We’re delighted to welcome her to the Advice First team – our clients are in excellent hands.
email: shauna@advicefirst.ie
Zara Blaney
Administrative Assistant
Zara joined us in March 2025 and hit the ground running. She’s often the first friendly voice you’ll hear when you contact Advice First and keeps things running smoothly behind the scenes too. Zara’s energy and attention to detail make her a vital part of our team – we’d be lost without her.
email: zara@advicefirst.ie
Geraldine McCarthy
Client Services
Geraldine joined our team in September 2025 following our acquisition of W.M. Grant & Co in Buncrana, where she had spent many years supporting clients and keeping the wheels turning behind the scenes. Her deep familiarity with the firm’s long-standing clients gives them a steady hand during the transition, and her practical knowledge of day-to-day financial administration is already proving invaluable.
She brings the same calm, seasoned approach that W.M. Grant’s clients have relied on for years, helping ensure their experience remains seamless as they move under the Advice First umbrella.
email: geraldine@advicefirst.ie
Jay Mendes
Digital & Social Media
Jay manages our social media presence with the mix of precision, curiosity and quick thinking this fast-moving world demands. He blends sharp visual instinct with an ability to translate complex financial ideas into clear, engaging content.
His work shapes how we show up online — keeping our message consistent, responsive and human. From crafting posts that cut through the noise to monitoring trends and community feedback, Jay ensures our digital voice reflects who we are and what we stand for.
email: events@advicefirst.ie
Michael MacGinty
Digital Strategy & Web Support
We have been working with Michael and the team at MEANit since 2006, they oversee our broader online presence, combining technical know how with a clear grasp of how people actually engage with financial content. Their team brings a steady, detail-driven approach to website management, analytics and digital strategy behind the scenes work that keeps everything running smoothly.
From ensuring our site performs reliably to advising on best practice across design, user experience and search visibility, MEANit give us the structure and expertise needed to stay competitive online. Their support allows us to focus on clients, knowing our digital foundations are solid and continually evolving.
email: hello@meanit.ie
Mission Statement
Advice First Financial set off with a mission to “Empower people to make prudent financial decisions through knowledge and understanding of financial services & product” this is still our mission today.
As an financial planning company, Advice First Financial, we pride ourselves on offering a unique personal service. Advice First Financial provides all customers with honest advice, with no jargon, and provide one to one contact to ensure any questions or queries you have regarding your financial matters, be that about life cover, pension or mortgage are answered.
We guarantee to work with you and provide tailored financial advice reflective of your needs.
Sustainable Finance Disclosures Regulation
When providing advice, the firm considers the adverse impact of investment decisions on sustainability. As part of our research and assessment of products, the firm will examine the Product Providers literature to compare financial products and to make informed investment decisions about ESG products. The firm Advice First Financial will at all times act in the client’s best interests and keep clients informed accordingly. The consideration of sustainability risks can impact on the returns of financial products.
Where are we now?
Today, Advice First Financial is well established in the life assurance and financial planning industry. We continue to grow based on our reputation of offering customers a friendly and honest service, providing clear, transparent advice based on the individual needs and requirements of each customer. With no obligation to one specific insurance provider, Advice First Financial is able to provide the advice that best suits you and your family.
We recommend a holistic approach to financial planning and we can help you put your plans in place. We recommend that you speak with us before you make a decision to buy any financial product.
Advice First Financial is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland
Link to our registration: Financial Service Provider Profile (centralbank.ie)
Advice First Financial are members of Financial Broker
Financial Brokers are experts on financial planning matters and work on your behalf
giving you a choice of products and providers from across the market.
Advice First Financial a member of the Life Assurance Association (LIA)
LIA is the Centre of Excellence for the Education and Development of Finance Professionals – dedicated to enabling and promoting the highest quality standards in financial advisory practice. We work on our members’ behalf to provide continual education and forward-looking supports.
Advice First Financial contributions to The Investor Compensation Fund
The Investor Compensation Company DAC (ICCL) is the compensation fund of last resort for customers of authorised financial services firms
If you have questions that you would like us to answer, please contact us 074 910 3938
Get expert Financial Advice in Donegal
For the latest updates and financial news, connect with us on Facebook and LinkedIn. If you have any questions or would like to discuss how to get your finances in shape, contact us in Letterkenny and now Buncrana. Our team is here to provide expert financial advice wherever suits you best. Whether you’re planning your future, buying a home or reviewing your pension, we’re just around the corner when you need us.
Letterkenny 074 910 3938 | Buncrana 074 936 3500
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