Highland Radio Business Matters

Donegal’s growing reputation for producing great food will be highlighted again next month at the final of Blás na h’Eireann 2025 (the Irish Taste Awards) – the largest food awards in the country.

The event takes place in Kerry and there are a record number of food and beverage producers from the county through to the final.

Indeed, out of more than 3,000 entries nationally, 14 from Donegal have been shortlisted.

Donegal is unquestionably developing a great food and drink sector and through initiatives like Food Coast Donegal, there are supports there.

T...

In this week’s Business Matters, Chris Ashmore speaks with Ron Kerrigan, the general manager at the  Ballyliffin Lodge and Spa Hotel in Inishowen.

It’s a family run hotel and proprietors Sean and Mary Keogh and their four children have much to be proud about. Indeed this year marks 20 years in business for them in the hotel.

Not only is it Ireland’s Most Northerly Four Star Hotel but it is also arguably Ireland’s greenest hotel insofar as a whole range of eco-friendly and energy efficient measures have been undertaken.

And the...

On Business Matters this week, Chris Ashmore speaks with Kilcar native Rory Gallagher, singer, songwriter and business man, who now lives in the Canary Islands.

His business journey has certainly seen plenty of twists and turns, from his days with the Revs and touring Europe and Australia to gigging and then setting up a bar in Lanzarote, returning to Ireland, and then opening a bar in Scotland just as Covid hit.

But he is now back in Lanzarote once more where he runs three bars along with his wife Cara.

In this week’s programme Chris Ashmore looks at the wind energy sector, the potential, and the challenges.

He speaks with Justin Moran, Director of External Affairs with the Wind Energy Ireland as they discuss the opportunities that are arising for more off-shore development, and also the spin-off in terms of employment.

The post Business Matters, Ep 259 – On-shore and off-shore prospects: Justin Moran of Wind Energy Ireland appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

In this week’s Business Matters, Chris Ashmore has been speaking with Galway-based Joanne Sweeney about her new book which is called “AI Playbook – The strategic guide to AI for Marketing and Communications”.

Joanne, who is from Downings, is well known to many of our listeners, having work in the Highland Radio newsroom for a number of years before setting up her own company Media Box in Letterkenny, and then moving to Galway where she now runs the highly successful Digital Training Institute.

With more than 25 years experience in the digital communic...

In this week’s programme Chris Ashmore has been finding out more about the Wild Fuschia Bakehouse in Dunfananghy which has won a string of awards and which announced recently that its Irish Scone Mix has been one of the products selected for this year’s Grow With ALdi  initiative which champions emerging Irish food producers, giving them the chance to have their products stocked nationwide.

He speaks with Sian McCann, owner, founder, MD and baker, about how she began the business, her previous working career, how it has evolved, online sales and the product range...

On Business Matters this week, Chris Ashmore has been speaking with Donegal artist Jacinta Callaghan.

From a young age she was interested in art. She was also interested in hairdressing and at just 16 she left Donegal to go to Dublin to train with Peter Mark.

After further training in Jon Paul’s in Derry, she came back to Kerrykeel and set up a hair salon at the age of just 20.

She kept up her art but only on a limited scale with her hair salon taking centre stage, but when Covid str...

In this week’s programme, Chris Ashmore catches up with Donegal man Garrett Harte, a multi award-winning senior media executive whose family is steeped in politics and who has more than two decades of experience in the broadcast industry.

The former Editor-in-Chief of Newstalk, he led and shaped the national current affairs debate on critical political, social and cultural events for many years.

Several years ago Garrett left Newstalk and founded Harte Media, a communications and PR Agency in Dublin, which has already won a number of awards.

The Dublin-based company ha...

On Business Matters this week, Chris Ashmore looks at the success of the Connected (digital) Hubs in Donegal and also how the hotel sector is faring.

First up, he speaks with Majella Orr, who is manager of the Craoibhin Community Enterprise Centre in Termon which is one of the hubs with what are known as CoWork Plus spaces and she is also the manager for Gteic CarriaghÁirt 

Like some other hubs, the latter has some great summer incentives, including hot decks with fast Wifi for just €5 an hour or €10 for the whole day. T...

On Business Matters this week, Chris Ashmore speaks with Seamus McLaughlin, the Managing Director of iMotors in Drumkeen and Malin about new car sales figures for the first half of 2025.

There has been a surge in sales of electric vehicles and they exam some of the reasons why, and also discuss the popularity of hybrid cars and the move away from petrol and in particular diesel.

It’s been a particularly good month for Kia in Donegal, which is the most popular brand (iMotors are main dealers for the Korean brand, as well as...

In this week’s Business Matters, Chris Ashmore finds out more about a tourism initiative which is helping a lot of businesses in the Mulroy Bay area – essentially an area north of Letterkenny taking in the likes of Cranford, Downings, Milford, Carrigart, Kerrykeel and Fanad.

He’s been talking with Paddy Logue, chair of the Mulroy Drive Tourism Group. In addition to producing a booklet about the idea, they have now developed a very user friendly and informative website – and it shows that there is an awful lot going on the area.

Tourism is very imp...

On Business Matters this week, Chris Ashmore speaks with Steve Frazer, Managing Director of City of Derry Airport, about the growth in passenger numbers, new routes, greater direct state support for the airport, and the significant amount of users going to or from Donegal.

Furthermore, they talk about the recent extension of the subsidy on the City of Derry to London route and the moves underway to re-establish a service to Dublin in the latter half of next year.

Also this week, Chris has been talking with business communications consultant Sally Murphy, who...

The Irish government has a goal of providing a hot meal in every school for every child in the country by 2030 at the latest.

When the school meals programme began in 2019 it was initially for a pilot number of disadvantaged schools known as DEIS schools. It has gradually expanded over the years, and the rollout is now really moving up through the gears.

Now this is big business, with a number of competing companies looking for a share of the business. One of those involved in the sector is a company called Fresh...

In Business Matters this week, Chris Ashmore has been speaking with award winning photographer Jay Doherty of Jay Doherty Photography about the wedding photography business, how it has evolved, what people are looking for, and planning for the big event.

Although a native of Derry, he calls Donegal his home and he has covered weddings all over the north-west, and beyond.

He points out how traditional weddings are still big here in Donegal and how there is a big spin-off economically.

Also in this week’s programme Chris has been speaking wi...

In Business Matters this week, Chris Ashmore speaks with the recently appointed new CEO of Highland Radio, Sean Quinn.

Sean has been the station’s Sales and Marketing Manager since 2019, and takes over from Fionnuala Rabbitt, who will remain with the station as Financial Controller.

Sean, who lives in Kilmacrennan, has been speaking about the challenges and opportunities for the radio station, the ever-evolving nature of the radio sector and how it has embraced technology and social media, and confidence about the years ahead.

You can listen to the full interview he...

In this week’s Business Matters, Chris Ashmore speaks with Derry based financial journalist and economic commentator Paul Gosling about his new book “A New Ireland – a Five Year Review” which considers what preparation has been made for a potential referendum on the constitutional future of Northern Ireland.

In the book he looks at the economies of both the North and the Republic and how they compare and he examines areas ranging from health, education, water and the public sector to the all-island economy, the annual subvention conversation and much more. 

Are we ready for...

On Business Matters this week, Chris Ashmore finds out more about the Wild Atlantic Way and, in particular, how it has been such a success here in Donegal.

Launched in 2014, the Wild Atlantic Way is a 2,500 km driving route that passes through nine counties and three provinces. Along the route, there are more than 157 discovery points, 1,000 attractions and and more than 2,500 activities.

Chris has been speaking with Failte Ireland’s Joan Crawford, Wild Atlantic Way, Manager, Donegal, to find out more.

The post Business Matters, EP 245 – Failte Ireland’s Joan Crawford on the...

On Business Matters this week, Chris Ashmore looks at Inishowen Boating which runs charter boats for sightseeing and angling excursions off the coastline of the Inishowen peninsula.

Given the spectacular scenery it is little wonder that there are many rave reviews of some of the trips and many a memory to treasure has been created.

Among the trips they offer from Bunagee Pier in Culdaff,  is one to Inishtrahull, the most northerly island off Ireland, which has the most northerly Irish lighthouse and which was the last light that many emigrants saw when t...

Entries for Blas na hÉireann 2025, the Irish Food Awards are open. Blas na hÉireann is the largest blind-tasted food awards on the island of Ireland, designed to recognise and celebrate the very best Irish food and drink. 

Donegal food producers have achieved consistent success at the awards which are in their 18th year.

Through the Food Coast Donegal initiative, it’s an opportunity for the county’s food and drink producers to grow what is vibrant local food sector and to showcase Donegal’s rich culinary culture. 

Over the years, Don...

DL Burger operates in Ballybofey and the man behind it is Gareth “Dutch” – who is well known in the Town Towns area.

When he returned to Ireland from Australia, he had to think long and hard about whether he would stay in the construction sector or would he fulfil a lifelong dream to run a burger outlet – but one with a difference, with a small but specialised menu and a particular emphasis on using fresh, local produce.

He has just celebrated his first year in business with his DL Burger outlet stationed on Chestnut...

A Letterkenny-based entrepreneur is developing a new version of ‘cats eyes’ that could have a major positive impact on road safety.

Brian McGeehin, co-founder of Blue Eye Highway, has a patented product that essentially turns cats eyes blue when it is freezing and this acts as a warning on roads where there can be black ice.

The idea for this invention came from the breakfast table during a telephone conversation with Brian, who had left home early for work in Derry where he was an engineer. Sons Eóin and Ronan McGeehin entered the i...

On Business Matters this week, Chris Ashmore finds out more about McGinley Coach Travel which has expanded considerably in recent decades and which now employs almost 50 people.

Founded by John McGinley over 50 years ago, the coach travel firm’s distinctive white, orange and blue branded buses are particularly well known in north and north-west Donegal.

The Donegal to Dublin service (from west Donegal, via Letterkenny, and from Inishowen), is used by thousands of people every year, and the company has also been long associated with a Donegal-Glasgow service.

Based in Magheroarty in...

On Business Matters this week, Chris Ashmore speaks with Termon’s Mark Gallagher, who along with his partner Asya have a youtube channel called Something To Remember.

They both have a passion for travel and began to make videos of places that they were visiting. Having set up the youtube channel, they reached the threshold to start earning revenue from it.

In the programme, Mark explains how it all began, how the monitisation of youtube works, and how it can provide a passive income.

Mark and Aysa love exploring “off the beat...

On Business Matters this week, Chris Ashmore speaks with Jimmy Stafford, Bank of Ireland Area Operations and Risk Manager, about the changing face of banking, fraud, legislation about cash and ATMs, and his own career.

A native of Cobh in Co. Cork, Jimmy outlines how he came to be in Donegal and his love for his adopted county.

Recently he was elected as President of Letterkenny Chamber for a second time, and while there are many challenges he is upbeat about the future.

Many listeners to Highland Radio will also know...

In this week’s edition of Business Matters, Chris Ashmore talks with Anthony Kernan, the Managing Director of the Kernan Group, which has more than a dozen outlets in Donegal, and also in Mayo.

After a career as a professional footballer in England was halted due to injury while still a teenager, Anthony returned to Ireland and soon became involved in the family shop in Newtowncunningham. Indeed, the family business dates back to the early 1920s.

One outlet became two, and one by one the business expa...

On Business Matters this week, the main topic is pensions and how if you worked previously in Northern Ireland or Great Britain, not only could you  get a small UK pension but by paying additional National Insurance Contributions, you can get an increased UK pension worth in excess of €14,000 per annum.

Many people who worked in the UK and subsequently moved to Ireland, or anywhere worldwide, are unaware of their entitlement to a UK State Pension, or ability to increase their entitlement. By leveraging voluntary National Insurance (NI) contributions (the equivalent of PRSI), individuals can now...

In this week’s programme Chris Ashmore looks at an award winning social enterprise business, plus calls by Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association on the Government to strengthen the Defamation Amendment Bill to provide meaningful protections for small businesses and citizens against costly and often unjustified defamation claims.

First up, Chris speaks with Helen Nolan, Chief Executive of Spraoi agus Sport which is based in Carndonagh. It has numerous social enterprises running, and is worth an estimated €2 million to the local economy. This year it will celebrate its 15th anniversary.

In the seco...

In this week’s programme, Chris Ashmore is joined in studio by Sean Quinn, Head of Sales at Highland Radio, who reflects on the hugely successful Highland Radio Hospitality Awards which were held last weekend.

In part two, he finds out about what the Agri-food Regulator’s role is and how it is of relevance to businesses here in Donegal. He hears from Melanie Hall, who is the head of Unfair Trading Practices Compliance & Enforcement at the Office of the Agri-Food Regulator.

Chris also has an update on how new routes from City of De...

On Business Matters this week, Chris Ashmore looks at a Donegal Women in Business Network event to coincide with International Women’s Day, a two day Further Education and Training Fair, and also a new book, The Business Owner’s Guide To Choosing And Using A Solicitor.

First up, he talks with Maria Rushe of Rushe Fitness who will be the MC at the Fit for Business event being held on Thursday, March 6th in An Grianan Hotel in Burt. The guest speaker will be Jenni Timoney, the CEO of Athleisure wear company FitPink.

Ne...

In this week’s edition, Chris Ashmore looks at the subject of 3D construction printing, and also the forthcoming Local Enterprise Week.

Recently Ireland’s first 3D printed homes came on stream for Louth County Council in Dundalk. The families are the first residents to live in 3D concrete homes in Ireland and the UK.

Two Donegal natives – Paul Kelly and Richard Mullin originally from Letterkenny and Ballybofey respectively – are founders of a company known as Harcourt Technologies Limited, or HTL.tech  It is strategically partnered with a Danish firm COBOD International – the world leade...

In this week’s programme, Chris Ashmore speaks with the co-founder of a cyber security company based in CoLab in Letterkenny who was on a recent trade mission to the United States, and also to the CEO of .ie the national registry for over 300,000 domain names. 

First up we’ll hear from  Newtowncunningham based Clare Ryan, the co-founder of ITUS Secure Technologies, who was among a group from the north-west on a recent St. Brigid’s Day Trade Mission to US in bid to secure significant investments. Her company provides Managed Cyber Security services for business...

In this edition of Business Matters, Chris Ashmore speaks finds out more about the forthcoming Highland Radio Hospitality Awards with Sean Quinn, Head of Sales at the station.

The shortlist has been decided and it looks all-set to be another sell-out on March 2nd in Jackson’s Hotel, Ballybofey.

In the second part of the programme, Chris finds out more about the use of slate in building projects from Drumkeen man Shaun Peoples of SMS Stoneworks.

The post Business Matters – Eps 230: Highland Radio Hospitality Awards, plus SMS Stoneworks appeared first...

In this edition of Business Matters, Chris Ashmore finds out more about the big range of courses and supports on offer at the Local Enterprise Office Donegal, and also delves into the corporate travel sector.

First up, he has been speaking with Brendan Hegarty, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Donegal, and hears about how 2024 was good year for the county in terms of job creation figures and those engaging with LEO.

She then outlines some of the courses and supports that are available...

In this week’s Business Matters, Chris Ashmore speaks to Inishowen-based Edelle Harrigan Edgar of I Am Self Care.

Her award winning aromatherapy business has made great strides since she started it in 2001, and she is hoping to expand in the years ahead.

In the second part of the programme, Chris finds out more about a not for profit Volunteer led community called I Wish which encourages young women to pursue careers in what are known as the STEM subjects, that is Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

He hears fr...

In this week’s programme, Chris Ashmore talks to Emma McHugh, Managing Director of Atlantic Travel in Letterkenny about the changing nature of the travel agent business, and the advantages of using a travel agency.

They also discuss the importance of travel insurance, and how despite all the online options many, people are going back to travel agents, and often getting a better deal.

Chris also speaks with Convoy entrepreneur Elaine Ayton whose online fashion brand Calculate Clothing is really taking off.

Since being on...

In this week’s programme, Chris Ashmore finds out more about the award winning Killybegs Energy, and also how 2024 was a record year for Ireland West Airport in Knock.

First up, he finds out more about Killybegs Energy which recently won the Best Start up Award at the Donegal Local Enterprise Awards.

Run by father and son Mick and Michael O’Donnell, Killybegs Energy produces high-quality wood chips, logs, and pellets using locally sourced, sustainable materials and renewable energy.

Essentially it is a successful spin off from the well-established and award winn...

In this week’s programme, the first of 2025, Chris Ashmore finds out more about a new barista milk product that is set to hit the shelves this month.

Grove Dairy in Casltederg in Tyrone  is a family-run business established by Jack and Hazel Mitchell, who began processing and bottling milk on their farm in 1978. Today, the business is still operated by the family, with John, his mother, father, and sister playing crucial roles in daily operations.

Their new Barista Milk – crafted specially for coffee lovers – is available in two creamy options, 2.2% fat for a light...

In the last programme in the Business Matters series for 2024, Chris Ashmore takes a look at a rapidly expanding and highly successful Inishowen based marine engineering company, Seabound Engineering.

The company specialises in the building of aluminium vessels and its order book is full for the next three years. With quite a few projects in the pipeline and new markets clearly identified, these are exciting and positive times for the company and all involved.

Recently it won a major contract to construct an advanced 25 metre mussel harvester for one of the...

In this week’s programme, Chris Ashmore speaks with Donegal’s first woman professional golfer, Gemma McClenaghan (nee Hegarty)  from Shrove in Inishowen.

A graduate of the famous uUniversity of St. Andrew’s in Scotland back in the late 90s, she went back to third level education in 2019 and undertook a Professional Golfers Association training course through the University of Birmingham.

Her noteworthy achievements include captaining the St.Andrew’s University Golf Team, representing both Ireland and Ulster at senior and junior levels and contributing to the success of the Royal Portrush Golf Club Senio...

On Business Matters this week, Chris Ashmore’s guest is Mark Doherty, owner of the Century Complex in Letterkenny, which in addition to the multi-screen cinema also boasts a superb indoor Century Play area for kids, a new indoor crazy golf facility, reality darts, shuffleboards and much more including the Backstage Restaurant, Bida’s Corner bar and corporate facilities.

Chris paid a visit to the complex to catch up with Mark about all their latest developments, as well as looking at how the whole cinema industry and experience has evolved over the decades.

They...