Highland Radio Business Matters

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...

In this week’s edition, Chris Ashmore speaks with Liam Tinney, the owner of Tinney’s Toys, a Donegal firm that has enjoyed considerable success since it was established in 2013 and which has seen massive growth having really pushed its online presence.

Chris paid a visit to the premises in Drumnahoe on the outskirts of Letterkenny to find out more.

Also this week, we hear from Michael Burke whose company Woolow specialises in producing pillows filled with organic wool. These can really help your sleep and among his customers is the Hastings Hotel grou...

On Business Matters this week, Chris Ashmore reflects on the Letterkenny Chamber Business Awards nights and also takes a look at Wild Atlantic Camp glamping and its Christmas initiatives.

The Chamber Business Awards were held in the Silver Tassie Hotel, Letterkenny, and once again the gala presentation night was a big success.

Toni Forrester, Chief Executive of LK Chamber speaks to Chris about the event, the various category winners, the Hall of Fame recipient and also the overall Business Person of the Year Award.

The award winning Wild Atlantic Camp in...

On Business Matters this week, Chris Ashmore finds out more about the wind energy sector, and especially off-shore developments. He’s been speaking with Dave Linehan, Head of Policy and Research at Wind Energy Ireland.

He has also been speaking with Ron Kerrigan General Manager of the Ballyliffin Lodge and Spa Hotel about a major €1 million investment in sustainable energy practices which has also seen the hotel  shortlisted for the the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s (SEAI) Energy Awards 2024.

And Chris has also been finding out more about ii, the Inishowen innovation hub and...

In this week’s edition, Chris Ashmore speaks with John Duffy who, along with Laura McGoran, runs a regenerative, organic farm near Churchill.

What they are doing could be an eye opener for many when it comes to uplands farming, and they have a business with several different revenue streams.

These include on-farm events  on their Future Oak Farm project – and products online for sale, and more recently plans for a unique protein bar using dehydrated beef or indeed venison.

John  was born in London, with his father from Gartan...

On Business Matters this week, Chris Ashmore speaks with Newtowncunningham based Andy McGowan who has been in the plumbing business for 20 years. He now specialises in leak detection, using the latest technology. 

Meanwhile, a new first phase of the entrepreneur development programme known as New Frontiers, which is funded by Enterprise Ireland, begins next week. Delivered in the North West through ATU Letterkenny and Sligo, this is a part-time online programme and is free. Geraldine Beirne, New Frontiers North West Programme Manager, has been outlining what it is about.

The full programme can h...

The CEO and Co-Founder of Ireland’s first ever national baby bank is from Donegal.

Community Connect is a newly registered charity that provides essential baby items to families struggling to afford them.

In this week’s progamme, Chris Ashmore speaks with CEO and co-founder Elaine Noonan about Community Connect.

It currently has hubs in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, and Athlone, and she would love to see a hub in the future in the north-west. 

Recently IKEA announced a new partnership with Community Connect.

This new collaboration aims...

The CEO and Co-Founder of Ireland’s first ever national baby bank is from Donegal.

Community Connect is a newly registered charity that provides essential baby items to families struggling to afford them.

In this week’s progamme, Chris Ashmore speaks with CEO and co-founder Elaine Noonan about Community Connect.

It currently has hubs in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, and Athlone, and she would love to see a hub in the future in the north-west. 

Recently IKEA announced a new partnership with Community Connect.

This new collaboration aims...

In this episode of Business Matters, Chris Ashmore looks at the forthcoming North West Future of Energy Conference which will take place on Thursday, November 7th at Ebrington Square in Derry, and also 50 years in business for Buncrana based firm McDaids Bathrooms, Plumbing, Tiles.

Sponsored by SSE Renewables, this annual cross-border event brings together energy suppliers, technology providers, industry buyers, investors, and policymakers to share knowledge and showcase energy innovation.

Highland Radio is a media partner for the event.

To find out more Chris was joined in studio by Toni Forrester...

In this week’s Business Matters with Chris Ashmore, the programme begins with a look back on the highly successful inaugural Ballybofey and Stranorlar Chamber of Commerce Awards. Secretary Louise Patton reflects on the night and goes through the winners.

Next, Chris looks at the new auto-enrolment pension scheme which is set to begin in September 2025 and which will affect employers and also hundreds of thousands of employees.

The new auto-enrolment pension scheme is to be called My Future Fund. Tata Consultancy Services, which has a base in Letterkenny, will be managing the se...

In this edition of Business Matters, Chris Ashmore has been speaking with Catherine Devine, the founder of Pumpskynz which sells stylish and functional accessories for diabetes management devices which also empower individuals to embrace their diabetes with confidence and style. 

She’s outlines the journey to date for her business which has considerable potential. Indeed, there are an estimated half a billion people around the world with some form of diabetes. Catherine’s company already exports to more than 20 countries.

The outlook is very positive and a major organisation called Beyond Type 1 has been i...

On this week’s Business Matters, Chris Ashmore is joined by the owner of Inis Communications, Trish Hegarty.

Trish worked as a journalist with the Irish Times, RTÉ and BBC Radio Foyle before setting up her PR, social media, and digital content agency in 2004.

In this episode, we’ll hear about how her Inishowen-based PR agency has flourished and adapted to ever changing requirements, big undertakings like the Love Donegal campaign who some of her major clients have been, and what her plans are for the future. 

Inis Communications recently became the fi...

The directors of the Finn Valley Voice. From left. Katherine McGovern, Celine McGlynn, Eileen Griffin, and Ann McMenamin.

In this week’s Business Matters with Chris Ashmore, the focus of attention is the Finn Valley Voice newspaper in Ballybofey, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month.

The origins of the paper date back to June 1994, when then-president of the Chamber of Commerce, Susan McGonagle, had a simple but powerful idea – to set up a newspaper for the Twin Towns of Ballybofey and Stranorlar.

The first issue came out in September of that year and init...

In this episode of Business Matters, Chris Ashmore will be looking at a report from farming, food and agribusiness specialist professional services firm IFAC  finds that expanding internationally is high on priority list for many Irish agrifood SMEs. He speaks with  David Leydon, Head of Food & Agribusiness with IFAC about its report which is called  ‘Getting your business fit for export’

He also finds out more about the country’s first digital readiness monitor which analyses Ireland’s progress on digital development. One of its key findings is that 36% of websites in Ireland have a low or very...

In this week’s edition of Business Matters, Chris Ashmore begins by speaking with Louise Patton of the Ballybofey and Stranorlar Business Chamber about its inaugural awards night, and also the chamber itself and the role it can play in promoting a positive message about the Twin Towns.

He also finds out about how Business in the Community Ireland is seeking to get more Donegal companies involved in its education programmes with schools. Pamela Kearney, North-west Regional Co-ordinator has been telling him more.

And Chris interviews David Fox, Business Development Manager with Home Bu...

In this week’s edition of Business Matters, Chris Ashmore has been speaking with the key personnel behind a very successful Ballyshannon based company, Get Up and Go Publications Ltd.

It produces high-quality inspirational diaries, journals and planners that go far beyond Ireland’s shores and retail outlets. Indeed, around 600,000 copies have now been sold.

The publications can inspire and motivate and are beautifully produced and illustrated.

In recent years, the company has expanded its range considerably. The range of diaries and related publications really have a feel good fact...

Have you ever thought about launching your own fashion brand? Well, for one Donegal entrepreneur a long held dream has been realised. Back in spring, Convoy woman Elaine Ayton launched a brand new online brand Calculate Clothing, offering a unique mix of comfort and style.

And she is this week’s guest on Business Matters with Chris Ashmore.

It’s early days yet but she has been hugely encouraged by the support that she has received and also the level of orders and reaction and feedback that she has received.

El...

In this week’s Business Matters, Chris Ashmore looks at two businesses in the county, one that is just opening and other that is well established.

A new sustainable fashion centre Circular Dress Collaborative is a new hub for sustainable fashion and events in the communities of Donegal and surrounding counties. It encourages consumers to participate in the circular economy by selling their clothing dresses and event clothing and accessories. A price is set with 60% going to the seller and 40% is commission. Sellers can earn money from the clothes that find new homes while keeping te...