Highland Radio Business Matters

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 […] The post Business Matters – Ep 276: Phil...

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 […] The post Business Matters – Ep 275: Donegal Sea Salt is making wave...

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 […] The post Business Matters – Ep 274: Martin Hilferty...

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 a...

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  […] The post Business Matters – E...

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 post Business Matters &#82...

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  […] The post Business Matters – Ep 270: Why using more Iri...

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 […] The post Business Matters: Ep 269 – New Donegal...

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, […] The post Business Matters, Ep 268: Dermot...

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 […] The post Business Matters, EP 267: B...

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 […] The post Business Matters, Ep 266: Enterp...

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 […...

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 […] The post Business Matters, Ep 264 – D...

In this week’s edition Chris Ashmore has been finding out more about a whole range of courses offered by the Donegal Education and Training Board, and the opportunities to explore new fields, upskill, and perhaps even consider a change of career. In the second part of the programme, Chris finds out more about gender pay […] The post Business Matters, Ep 263 – Skills for work with...

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 post Business Matters – EP 262 – Lyndsey Reynolds, Project...

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 post Business Matters, Ep 261 – Ireland’s ‘greenest...

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 […] The post Business Matters, EP 260 – Rory Gallagher &#8211...

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 prospe...

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 […] The post Business Matters, Ep 258 &#82...

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 […] The post Business Matters, Ep 257 – Sian Mc...

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 […] The post Business Matters, Ep 256 – artist Jacinta Callaghan appeare...

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, […] The post Business Matters, E...

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 […] The post Business Matters, Ep 254: Digital hub success in Donegal – plus how 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 […] The post Business Matters, Ep 253 – Seamus McLaughlin on Kia’s t...

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 […] The post Business Matters, Ep 252 – The Mulroy...