Highland Radio Business Matters

On Business Matters this week, Chris Ashmore has been speaking to a number of people about a couple of businesses that are in their infancy.

First up, he speaks with Elaine Fitzgerald, an interior designer, and Martha Hume, an Occupational Therapist about their new business, Eyra Collective.

They specialise in accessible home redesign. Changing needs should not mean you have to compromise on style. Circumstances change and people’s needs do as well. They can ensure your home continues to work for you, if you have people with disabilities, special needs or...

In this week’s Business Matters, Chris Ashmore finds out all about new sightseeing boat tours on Lough Swilly, plus a look at a recently launched website that promotes Letterkenny and what it has to offer.

First up, Chris has been speaking to Derry native Conor Cummings about his new business venture, Swilly Boat Tours.

He runs a variety of sightseeing trips around the spectacular coastline of Lough Swilly, doing both public and private tours . 

The tours include trips that take you to beaches and caves around the peninsula and...

On Business Matters this week, Chris Ashmore looks at a new business called Getmorecustomersonline.ie

It was founded by Letterkenny based Derrick Fotar, originally from Cameroon, who spent many years working in IT and finance in Dublin before moving to Donegal.

He is using his expertise to guide and help clients to get not just more traffic to their online platforms but to ensure they are targeting the customers who are more likely to get them additional business.

His client base is growing and he recently became a member...

In this week’s programme, Chris Ashmore has been finding out more about the Food Coast Donegal network which recently launched a new website, and he also learns about  a multi-million euro investment in the hi-tech photonics microchips education and research centre.

First up, he was joined by Lyndsey Reynolds, Project Facilitator, and Seamus McDaid, chair of Food Coast Donegal and Managing Director of Football Special, to talk about the continued evolvement and success of the Food Coast Donegal network. 

Food Coast Donegal has launched a new website and interactive map, bringing together prod...

On Business Matters this week, Chris Ashmore speaks with Letterkenny man John Logue who is the CEO of Social Enterprises Republic of Ireland (SERI), and who has been appointed to the Government’s SME Advisory Group to represent the interests of Ireland’s 4,355 social enterprises.

In the programme he talks about the importance of social enterprises where the social return is the driving force rather than profit.

Chris has also been speaking with India Kennedy from Donegal Town who has just taken up a role as as Executive Assistant to the CEO of the...

On Business Matters this week Chris Ashmore pays a visit to the Knockalla Caravan and Camping Park which will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year.

He speaks with Patricia Doherty about the business, which was set up by her parents, and looks at the changes and challenges and how the park has expanded .

She is also the Chairperson of the Irish Caravan and Camping Council and she explains what the role entails.

Also in this edition, Chris finds out more about plans to develop a Donegal Repair Cafes Network. He has...

In Business Matters this week, Chris Ashmore takes a look at a thriving glamping business in the heart of the West Donegal Gaeltacht.

At the award winning Glamping Rann Na Feirste, guests get the opportunity to stay in one of their luxury modern shepherds’ huts, each of which has a wood-fired hot-top outside.

Located in a quiet, sheltered hollow, it really is a little piece of paradise.

Glamping Rann na Feirste has received superb feedback. Indeed, it has a 4.9 out of 5 rating on AirBnB and is in the top 1% when it co...

In this week’s Business Matters, Chris Ashmore gets an update at what’s happening at the Tata Consultancy Service’s Global Delivery Centre in Letterkenny, plus he finds out about Gander Ireland which helps retailers to turn reduced-to-clear food into sales by promoting discounted items in real time. 

Tata Consultancy Services, a global leader in IT services, consulting and business solutions operates a Global Distribution Centre in  Letterkenny which is one part of an enormous Indian headquartered company that employs more than 650,000 people around the world in more than 55 countries.

The Letterkenny facility...

In this week’s Business Matters, Chris Ashmore has been looking at a west Donegal business that continues to prosper and expand.

Donegal Shores Hygiene & Catering dates back to 1990, and  supplies hygiene systems and catering equipment, and stocks over 10,000 lines of product from toilet rolls to crockery, from kitchen utensils to washing up liquid, along with commercial catering equipment including fridges, freezers, cookers, ovens and water boilers.

It has established an excellent reputation amongst restaurants, bars, hotels, cafes, schools and colleges, nursing homes and food production factories, and is based in Gwee...

In this week’s Business Matters, Chris Ashmore finds out about hundreds of jobs on offer at Vertiv, which has factories in Letterkenny, Burnfoot and Derry, and also hears from Ballybofey man Aiden Thompson and his new business venture The Mind Maze.

First up, Vertiv is undertaking a major recruitment drive with hundreds of positions on offer. This is a truly global company, with more than 34,000 employees worldwide and revenues of more than $10 billion.

The company is hosting an Open Day at An Grianan Hotel in Burt on Wednesday, May 6th, and Fiona Fis...

In this week’s Business Matters, Chris Ashmore talks with Martin McGowan, who recently became the new Chair of Ballybofey and Stranorlar Chamber of Commerce. He hears about plans for future growth of membership and how the chamber can really help those in business in the Finn Valley.

He also finds out about the forthcoming Letterkenny Motor Show at the ATU Letterkenny campus, and speaks with Daniel Carlin, Area Sales and Portfolio manager with First Citizen Finance who are working in conjunction with the dealerships as finance partners for the show.

Finally, he pa...

On Business Matters this week, Chris Ashmore has been speaking with St. Johnston based Bert Galbraith of Galbraith Construction, and John Daly, Economist with the Northern and Western Regional Assembly.

First up, Chris hears about the growth of Galbraith Construction over the past 20 years, the changes in the construction industry, and the challenges and opportunities ahead.

We then find out more about the recently launched County Data Dashboards, including one for Donegal. It’s a mine of information, and will be updated at regular intervals, giving a great snapshot insight into the latest fi...

On Business Matters this week, Chris Ashmore has been speaking with Karoline Sweeney, Managing Partner of Castle Grove Country House Hotel, just outside Letterkenny, who recently became the President of Letterkenny Chamber.

They talk about her role as Chamber President and her main objectives for the year ahead, plus her thoughts on the tourism and hospitality sector and indeed the Donegal economy and its potential.

We’ll also hear about Karoline’s own background and the history behind the award-winning four-star Castlegrove Country House and the great success story that it is.

Yo...

On Business Matters this week, Chris Ashmore has been finding out about Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, how millions of euro’s worth of energy is being wasted each year – but this could change – and also the challenges facing the construction industry due to increased oil and gas prices.

Up first, Chris has been speaking with David McCann of the Sea Collective based in Gweedore, an environmental outreach group that aims to inspire people to act positively in relation to marine biodiversity. He has benefited from a programme run by Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, and came back to Irelan...

In this week’s Business Matters, Chris Ashmore pays a visit to the office of Print Supplies in Frosses to interview its founder and owner Dermot Doherty.

Managing printing for your business or organisation shouldn’t be overly time consuming, or even frustrating, and it doesn’t need to be complicated. 

Print Supplies provides solutions that save you time and money when if comes to managing your printing (and photocopying) needs.

From small beginnings, the company has expanded over the years and services the needs of many small and medium sized busines...

In this week’s programme, Chris Ashmore begins with some interesting thoughts from Tomás Ó Síocháin, the CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta, who firmly believers that Gaeltacht areas could find themselves having to manage in influx of people.

Next up there’s up update on new car registrations in Donegal.

And then Chris speaks with Brendan Mulry, a project officer with Irish Rural Link, about social enterprises, and in particular the new Rural Innovation and Social Enterprise (RISE) programme designed to put social enterprise at the centre of sustainable rural development...

In this week’s Business Matters, Chris Ashmore talks with Mairtin Kelly, originally from Galway, but who now lives just outside Letterkenny, and who many listeners will know from his days at Kelly’s Centra and Diner at the Mountain Top in the town.

He bought the store back in 2011, and developed it into a thriving business that expanded rapidly.

Indeed, he became a significant employer and in 2023 won the Letterkenny Chamber Business Person of the Year award, in recognition of his achievements.

In 2024, he made a big, big decision, to sell...

On Business Matters this week Chris Ashmore speaks with finance expert Dan Malone about how savers should shop around to get better interest rates, and finds out more about the recently launched savings comparison website, honest.ie

Ireland is a nation of savers, but many people are getting paltry interest rates on their deposits.

Dan explains how you can set up put your money into accounts all over Europe, very simply, and how they have the same guarantees as Irish banks for depositors while also offering – in many cases – considerably higher interest rates.

In Business Matters this week Chris Ashmore finds out about an event being held as part of Enterprise Week that ties in with International Women’s Day, and he also finds out about the next New Frontiers programme at ATU Letterkenny, which is geared towards people with innovative business ideas that have the potential to scale up and provide employment.

First up, Chris has been speaking with Sally Murphy, President of the Donegal Women in Business Network, to find out more anout about the “Built on Belief, Women Building Businesses in Donegal” event which is taking...

On Business Matters this week Chris Ashmore has been finding all about how a Donegal oyster producer who is using AI to monitor oyster health with support from Enterprise Ireland, ATU Donegal and Board Iascaigh Mhara.

Lee Hunter, a marine biologist and owner of Oisirí Oileán Cróine Teoranta in Dungloe Bay, has created the system, known as The Oyster Pitch, which analyses the sound oysters make when they are handled to distinguish live shellfish from dead stock with a high degree of accuracy.

His innovation has considerable potential in the shellfish sect...

On Business Matters this week Chris Ashmore looks at a Donegal company that looks set to play a major role in helping to solve underground issues that ultimately can affect millions of people.

Underneath our cities, towns and villages and reaching into rural areas too there is an enormous network of pipes, of water mains, of sewers, of drains.

And so when there is a problem, be it leaks, blockages of structural collapses, locating the exact spot is vital, but can be time consuming, costly, and difficult and there can be health and...

In this week’s programme Chris Ashmore finds out more about Emerald Education which is based in Bundoran.

A mum of three daughters, Elaine Lingard wanted them to get the best from her. She left the school system having been a teacher and started tutoring, giving her also a better work-life balance and more time with my family.

Back in 2016 she founded Emerald Education, initially tutoring children in person and soon adding  the option of online learning.

Indeed, she began tutoring Maths and English, working  with children all over the world rang...

On Business Matters this week Chris Ashmore looks at a great Donegal success story.

He’s been speaking with two brothers who started out selling bobble hats to local sports teams, and who are now presiding over an expanding and thriving business that is now employing more than 30 people in Ballybofey and which is also manufacturing as well as importing.

O’Reilly’s is run by brothers Martin and Steven O’Reilly and supply sportswear, leisurewear, workwear and corporate clothing to clubs, businesses and organisations throughout Ireland, the UK and America. 

Martin, a...

On Business Matters this week, Chris Ashmore speaks with coaching psychologist and well-being specialist Anna Marie Brosi.

She will be speaking at a Business Leadership Breakfast being hosted by Letterkenny Chamber in the Century Complex in the town on Friday, January 30th, where the theme will be Strategies to Thrive.

Chris has been finding out about her career path, how she deals with clients – ranging from the self employed to big business – and how she can help in areas ranging from burnout prevention to managing stress.

You can listen to the full...

On Business Matters this week, I’ll be finding out about how people living in Ireland can avail of a UK pension – even if they only worked for a year in the North or in Britain – and also hearing about the supports and grants available through the Local Enterprise Office.

Many people in Donegal may be unaware that not only are they eligible for a UK pension, but they could actually pay in additional contributions which will then be topped up by the British taxpayer who will be adding to their pension pot when they retire...

On Business Matters this week Chris’s Ashmore’s guest is Dr. Siobhan Murray, the founder of Blue Poppy Dentistry and Orthodontics.

A native of Omagh and a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, she opened her first practice in Donegal Town in 2010. Then in 2019  a second practice was opened on the Pearse Road in Letterkenny.

The company has grown over the years expanding the range of treatments and using the very latest technology.

And shortly they will open a third premises, this one being in the Letterkenny Shopping Centre, where there will...

In this week’s Business Matters, Chris Ashmore traces the story of McGinley Coaches, founded by John McGinley more than 50 years ago.

In December, James McGinley was named as the 2025 Business Person of the Year Award at the Donegal Dublin Business Network Gala Night.

The current CEO and son of John McGinley, he has overseen both growth and diversity in recent years as the West Donegal company continues to go from strength to strength.

So it is timely to hear about the company – including its venture into the cruise tourism sector – in thi...

In this week’s Business Matters, Chris Ashmore’s main focus of attention is a look at a very exciting Donegal Diaspora Initiative that is taking place in March in Philadelphia. 

And later in the programme, he’ll be speaking with Paul O’Donnell, about his role as Employment Engagement Coordinator, with the Donegal Local Development Company and what it entails. 

But first, the event in Philadelphia is essentially all about turning connections into action, and bringing together Donegal people through sport, culture, music, and business.

And by linking global experience with local...

In this week’s Business Matters, Chris Ashmore has been finding out more about a great little Donegal business that is expanding rapidly and which looks to have a bright future.

Donegal Sea Salt, based in Cranford, is making waves, and has won a number of awards, most the most recent being at the Donegal Enterprise Awards where it was named as the Best Start Up Business for 2025.

Located on the shores of Mulroy Bay, it’s a wonderful example of using a natural product and bringing it to the market.

Chri...

On Business Matters this week Chris Ashmore talks with Martin Hilferty of Orbit Security which has now been in business for over 30 years.

From small beginners, the company has expanded considerably over the years, during which time there have been periods of growth, but also challenges.

Martin also overcame a major health issue several years ago following the discovery of a tumour in his heart that required major surgery.

He speaks with Chris about his business journey, changing trends in the security industry and keeping abreast with technological changes – not least AI...

In this week’s edition, Chris Ashmore looks at the new auto enrolment pension scheme in Ireland, called “My Future Fund” which will begin on January 1, 2026, automatically enrolling eligible employees into a retirement savings plan.

Thousands of people in Donegal are set to benefit.

You will be automatically enrolled in the new pension scheme if you are an employee and you: Are aged between 23 and 60; Do not pay into a pension through payroll; Earn €20,000 or more per year across all employments, or more than €5,000 over a 13-week period.

Neil McDonnell, CEO of ISME, the Irish Small...

This week Chris has been looking at two very different  businesses, one aimed at storytelling and creativity and getting children away from screens, and the other which is a luxury hotel and spa gifting platform that is rapidly expanding.

First up, Fudge and Gandol is a new Donegal-based children’s creativity company built around storytelling.

Founded  by Ballyshannon mum Julie Dowling, it all stemmed from a bedtime routine and telling stories to her own children. That routine led to the creation of a full set of Story Cards.

And so the idea...

In this week’s programme Chris Ashmore speaks with Shane Deery, the recently appointed Business Office Manager with Ballybofey and Stranorlar Chamber, and also Mary McKenna MBE, who is chair and co-founder of Awaken Angels, which invests in women-led enterprises.

First up, Chris went to the Twin Towns to find out more about the local business chamber, the rise in membership, and plans for the future. As you will hear, Shane Deery is full of enthusiasm and drive and is upbeat about the future for local businesses in the Finn Valley area.

Later in...

In this week’s programme the focus of attention is the Irish language and in particular how businesses in Letterkenny could reap the rewards by promoting it and using it to a greater extent.

Recently, Líonra Leitir Ceanainn and Letterkenny Chamber came together to host a Give it a Go – As Gaeilge business breakfast event  at Kernans Bistro & Coffee House in the town.

And what a successful event it was, as those in attendance heard about how Galway has given bilingual status in 2016. Letterkenny is designated as a Gaeltacht Service Town and there...

In this week’s programme Chris Ashmore finds out about a new Donegal food company, Wild & Co, which has launched a five week campaign to fund the first production run of its innovative wild venison snacks, a clean, tasty and sustainable alternative to the many ultra-processed protein bars out there on the  market.

Founded by Laura McGoran, a food and fitness enthusiast, and John Duffy, a regenerative farmer working to restore native woodlands at Future Oak Farm near Churchill, Wild & Co turns locally sourced 100% wild Irish venison into high protein, low calorie snacks with nothing art...

In this week’s programme, Chris Ashmore speaks with Dermot Doherty of Restex beds and furniture which is based in Letterkenny.

Founded over 50 years ago by Terence Doherty, the company is now operated by Terence’s son Dermot, and is well known for its  quality mattresses. Indeed, their luxury mattresses can not only be found in homes, but in many top hotels across Donegal and beyond. 

They also have a range of top quality bedroom furniture, sofas, chairs, lighting, and pictures.

Sleep is so, so important, and when it comes to the wor...

In this week’s programme, Chris Ashmore finds out more about a series of business support clinics geared towards the tourism sector. They are being held during November with one in each of the municipal district council areas.

Mary Fowley Daly, Senior Tourism Development Officer with Donegal Co. Council has been outlining the thinking behind the initiative which is being promoted by the council’s tourism unit in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland and Local Enterprise Office Donegal.

There will also be an update on the forthcoming Letterkenny Chamber Business Awards, plus a look...

On Business Matters this week, Chris Ashmore looks at the forthcoming Donegal ETB Enterprise Day for around 250 students from 17 post-primary schools, and also what business energy support grants are currently available from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.

First up he finds out more about the enterprise event which is being stated in ATU Letterkenny. He’s been speaking with Fiona Temple, Principal at Mulroy College, who has been coordinating the working group behind the event.

He then catches up with Fergus Sharkey, Head of Business Supports at the SEAI, to learn about th...

In this week’s programme, Chris Ashmore speaks with  Dr. Caitriona Strain, General Manager of Ernact, an international digital transformation network that was established back in 1991.

Based in the CoLab at ATU Letterkenny, it is constantly involved in exploring opportunities for funding, and development and knowledge transfer for digital transformation, and has been instrumental in the development of numerous very interesting projects.

Also this week, Sean Quinn, CEO of Highland Radio, joins Chris in studio to discuss the recent hugely successful Highland Radio Customer Service Awards.

You can listen to the ful...

In this week’s Business Matters, Chris Ashmore speaks with the owner and founder of Purple Velvet, a bespoke bakery based in Glenmaquin, just outside Letterkenny.

During Covid, Diane Nesbitt found herself with time on her hands and decided to try selling some home-made cup cakes. The response was hugely positive. That was the beginning of a journey that she could scarcely have imagined.

Fast forward to the present day and she now employs 11 people, making a whole range of cakes and tasty treats, including the very popular yummies.

She also ha...