Highland Radio Business Matters

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 post Business Matters, Ep 250: City of Derry...

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 post Business Matters, Ep 249 – Richie Nangle of Fresh Today on the school mea...

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 […] The post Business Matters, Ep 248 – The wedding...

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 […] The post Business Matters, Ep 247: New Highla...

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 […] The post Business Matters, Ep 246:...

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 […] The post Business Matters, EP 245 – Failte Ireland’s Joan Crawford...

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. […] The post Business Matters, EP 244: Inishowen Boating &#8...

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 post Business Matters, Ep 243: Big Donegal interest in...

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 […] The post Business Matters, Ep 242: From Australia to Ballybofey – DL Burger celebrates a...

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 […] The post Business Matters, Ep 241 – Brian McGeehin...

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 […] The post Business Matters, Ep 240 – J...

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 […] The post Business Matters, Ep 239 – Mark Gallagher on hi...

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 […] The post Business Matters, Ep 238: Jimmy Stafford on banking, Letterkenny Chambe...

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 […] The post Business Matters – Ep 237: Anthony Kernan, MD of...

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 […] The post Business Matters – Ep 236: Last call for people in Don...

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, […] The...

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 […] The post Business Matters, Ep 234 – Highland Hospitality...

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 […] The post Business Matters, Ep 233 – International Women...

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 […] The post Business Matters, Ep 232: 3D Construct...

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 post Business Matters, Ep 231: Clare Ryan co-found...

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, […] The post Business Matters – Eps 230: Highland...

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 […] The post Business Matters – EP 229: Courses and support...

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 […] The post Business Matters – EP 228: I Am Self aromatherapy &#8211...

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 […] The post Business Matters – EP 227: Atlantic...

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 […] The post Business Matters – EP 226: Killybegs Energy making it...