Down To Business

Joining Bobby to chat about the health of local tourism in Kilkenny as part of Newstalk’s 2026 Summer Tour is Sheena Dignam, founder and owner of Kilkenny and Galway Food Tours; Colin Ahern, GM on the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel and co Chair of Kilkenny DEDP (Destination Experience Development Plan); and Anthony Morrison, owner of Christy's Bar and former chair of the Vinters Federation of Kilkenny.

Joining Bobby to go through the main stories from the Saturday papers is Eimear Ní Bhraonain, author of ‘The Dodger: DJ Carey and the Great Betrayal’ and owner of communications firm Eimear.ie & Claire McInerney Brown, President of Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce  and export development consultant at Suas Mane consulting.

This week, Down to Business was coming to you live from the River Court Hotel in Kilkenny as part of Newstalk’s 2026 Summer Tour, all with thanks to ESB - Ireland’s largest EV charging network. There, we heard from local band Lincoln Skins as well as Anthony Smith, General Manager at the Kilkenny River Court Hotel to chat about how the hotel is faring in 2026, tourism numbers, and more.

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Paul Young, CEO of Cartoon Saloon.

Bobby continues his chat with some of Kilkenny’s movers and shakers in the business world as part of Newstalk’s 2026 Summer Tour with Peter McCreery, Managing Director at Sherry Fitzgerald McCreery; Edward Hayden, Chef and owner of Edward Hayden School of Cookery; and Naoise Nunn, festival creator, producer, and co-director at Schweppe Curtis Nunn.

Next Tuesday marks 10 years since the UK voted to leave the EU. Bobby is joined by award-winning journalist and author of A History of Brexit in 256 Disasters, Jonty Bloom, to look back at the morning after the result, the immediate shock in markets, and why he wasn’t surprised by the vote.

Rising costs, higher interest rates, and continued uncertainty are putting fresh pressure on Irish farming - but what does the outlook really look like in 2026? Bobby is joined by Eoin Lowry, Head of Agri at Bank of Ireland to discuss.

Bobby was out & about again this week at Druid Padel in Kimmage to find out why padel has become the fastest-growing sport in the world, and why it’s taking off in Ireland.

Joining Bobby to go through some of the main business stories from the week is Bob Hoffman Managing Partner Vista Executive Search & Gina London Sunday Independent Columnist and Communications expert.

This week’s Industry Review on Down to Business, Bobby digs into the world of the garden centre - the, "one-stop shops" behind one of the nation’s favourite pastimes. Oliver Schurmann, Owner of Mount Venus Nursery Ltd Barry Doyle, CEO of Arboretum Paul Harvey, of Windyridge Garden Centre

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Stephen O'Malley, CEO & Co Founder of Civic.

Bobby was out & about in Dún Laoghaire, discussing a sport near and dear to his heart, sailing.

For this weeks' Industry Review, Bobby will be taking a look at the EV market. With Ireland having set the ambitious goal of 845,000 EVs on the road by 2030, the question remains, is this possible? Joining Bobby was Conor Faughnan, Independent Motoring Expert with Carzone, Derek Reilly, General Manager at Nevo.ie, and Brian Cooke, Director General of SIMI.

Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Linda Daly, business reporter with the Sunday Times, and Stephen O'Leary, founder of Olytico.

With the business world changing quickly, we talk to Mike Soutar, one of Lord Sugar's trusted advisors on The Apprentice, on his new book 'Next Gen CEO'.

Bobby was joined by Conor Galvin, CEO of Ornua, in the Executive Chair this week.

The European Central Bank has raised its interest rates for the first time in almost three years. To find out more Bobby's joined by economist Jim Power.

The founder of Hildun Beauty and winner of Arnott's Pitch 2025 competition, Suzy Griffin Dunne, joins Bobby to discuss her business.

The quest for love seems to be an eternal one, but the business of helping others find it is more contemporary. As disillusionment in dating apps, speed dating, and social media rises and AI poses new challenges, matchmaking is ready to become mainstream again. Joining Emmet Oliver to discuss the industry’s rebirth was Feargal Harrington, MD & Co-Founder of Intro Matchmaking, Sharon Kenny and...

Emmet, in for Bobby, was  joined in the Executive Chair this week by Zoe Kavanagh, Repak CEO.

We take our connected lifestyle for granted these days. The shiny bells and whistles websites may look easy to navigate, but how accessible are they if you have any form of disability? My next guest has personal experience of living with a disability. He is also the founder and CEO of a company that offers clients solutions to make their websites accessible to over one billion potential customers...

We have spoken about what makes a great workplace many times here on Down to Business. My next guest believes a happy and safe workplace is crucial for recruiting, nourishing and retaining employees. It will also help with your bottom line. Dr Audrey Tang Chartered Psychologist joined Emmet Oliver to discuss

Ireland's tax revenues continue to surge, driven largely by a small number of US tech and pharmaceutical giants. But with Brussels warning about over-reliance on multinational corporation tax, unemployment beginning to tick upwards, and growing uncertainty around US trade and tax policy, questions are being asked about how resilient Ireland's economic model really is. Emmet Oliver was joined by Cl...

Joining Emmet Oliver in for Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers, Louisa Meehan of Woodview HRM and Declan Ralph of BWG Foods

Now, for this week’s Industry Review, we’re talking about one of Ireland’s most iconic food traditions - the chipper. So, how are operators adapting to changing tastes, rising costs, and major staffing challenges? To discuss Bobby was joined by Nuisin Jalilvand, Manager at Hooked in Galway Roberto Macari, Operations Manager with Romayo's Diner Group John Beshoff, Co-owner of Beshoff' Bros