Donegal

Business Matters, Ep 252 – The Mulroy Drive initiative with Paddy Logue

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 […]

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Business Matters, Ep 251 – Charlie Boyle, CEO of Customer Service Excellence Ireland

On Business Matters this week Chris Ashmore speaks with Charlie Boyle, the  CEO of Customer Service Excellence Ireland, which is based in the GTEIC Innovation Hub in Gweedore. Since the company was founded in 2014,  the west Donegal man has seen his company develop, building up clients not just in Ireland but also overseas, and

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Business Matters, Ep 250: City of Derry Airport on the up – plus Sally Murphy, new President of Donegal Women in Business Network

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

Business Matters, Ep 250: City of Derry Airport on the up – plus Sally Murphy, new President of Donegal Women in Business Network Read More »

Business Matters, Ep 248 – The wedding photography business with Jay Doherty Photography

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

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McLaughlin’s challenging cycling fundraiser for food allergy research

Donegal cyclist Ronan McLaughlin is set to circumnavigate Ireland by bike, solo and unsupported, in a bid to raise money for food allergy research. The 38-year-old Muff man – who has a string of cycling honours and endurance records – is taking on this challenge for his six-year-old daughter, who lives with multiple severe food

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Business Matters, Ep 246: Author Paul Gosling’s new book examines potential referendum on the constitutional future of Northern Ireland

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

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Business Matters, EP 245 – Failte Ireland’s Joan Crawford on the success of the Wild Atlantic Way

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

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Business Matters, EP 244: Inishowen Boating – trips including Ireland’s most northerly island, Inishtrahull

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.

Business Matters, EP 244: Inishowen Boating – trips including Ireland’s most northerly island, Inishtrahull Read More »

Business Matters, Ep 243: Big Donegal interest in Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards – plus retrofitting your home

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

Business Matters, Ep 243: Big Donegal interest in Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards – plus retrofitting your home Read More »

Business Matters, Ep 242: From Australia to Ballybofey – DL Burger celebrates a tasty first year

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

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Business Matters, Ep 239 – Mark Gallagher on his youtube revenue earning ‘Something To Remember’

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

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Business Matters – Ep 237: Anthony Kernan, MD of the Kernan Group – from Wolverhampton Wanderers FC to employing more than 350 people

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

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Business Matters – Ep 236: Last call for people in Donegal to avail of UK pension boost – plus the New Frontiers programme

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

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Business Matters – Ep 235: Award winning Spraoi agus Sport, plus calls to change defamation laws

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,

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Business Matters, Ep 234 – Highland Hospitality Awards a great success, plus the role of the Agri-Food Regulator

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

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Business Matters, Ep 233 – International Women’s Day event, an Education and Training Fair, and a guide to solicitors for businesses

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

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Business Matters, Ep 232: 3D Construction Printing, plus Local Enterprise Week

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

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Business Matters, Ep 231: Clare Ryan co-founder of ITUS Secure Technologies – plus .ie domain profile report

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,

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Dylan Browne McMonagle wins overall Donegal Sports Star Award – see all the category winners

More than 600 people attended the 2024 Donegal Sports Star of the Year Awards at a gala presentation function held in the Mount Errigal Hotel. The overall winner was jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle. He was announced as the winner from a short-list that also included hurler Liam Óg McKinney (Burt); Shelbourne title winning captain Mark

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Business Matters – EP 229: Courses and supports at Local Enterprise Office, plus Travel Counsellors and corporate travel

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

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Business Matters – EP 226: Killybegs Energy making its mark, plus record year for Ireland West Airport

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

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Business Matters – Ep 223: Donegal’s first woman golf professional, plus ISME’s calls for change

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

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Business Matters, Ep 219 – Wind Energy potential, Ballyliffin hotel in line for award, and Inishowen Innovation

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

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Business Matters, Ep 218: The Future Oak Farm project – plus a unique protein bar in the making

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

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Business Matters, Ep 216: Donegal woman is CEO of Ireland’s first registered baby bank charity

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,

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Business Matters, Ep 215: North West Future of Energy Conference, plus 50 years in business for McDaid’s Bathrooms Plumbing Tiles

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

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Business Matters, Ep 208 – Get Up and Go Diaries are truly inspirational

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

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Business Matters, Ep 196: Micro Finance Ireland loans, Food Coast Donegal events, and third level degrees at Donegal ETB

In this episode of Business Matters, Chris Ashmore speaks with Philip O’Kennedy, Business Advisor with the Local Enterprise Office in Ireland about how Micro Finance Ireland can help businesses. He also talks with Maura Toner, Food Coast Donegal Executive, about a number of great events over the coming months in Donegal  that are open to

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Mica campaigners doing the work of Government for too long – Diver

A Mica campaigner says homeowners have been doing the work of government ‘for too long’ over the mica scandal. Campaigners have called on the Government to cover the costs of replacing foundations under its remediation scheme. But engineers have denied the claim there could be problems with the foundations for homes hit by mica and

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Family of girl who died in swimming pool incident in Spain believed to be from Donegal

The family of a seven-year-old girl who died following an incident at a swimming pool in Spain are believed to be from Donegal. Emergency services were called to a hotel in Mallorca on Monday. The girl was treated for cardio-respiratory arrest using CPR and transferred to a nearby hospital where she passed away yesterday afternoon.

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Vhi Health & Wellbeing Fund grants awarded to three Donegal focused projects

Vhi and the Irish Youth Foundation (IYF) have today announced details of the three projects awarded grants from the Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund. Non-profit charity organisations who work with young people in Donegal, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny and Limerick were invited to apply for a share of the €85,000 Fund. The winning organisations impacting

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Men urged to take action to improve their health during Men’s Health Week 2022

Men are being encouraged to take action and improve their health as Men’s Health Week 2022 (MHW) kicks off today. The theme for MHW 2022 in Ireland is ‘Mission is Possible’, and the call to action is ‘The Action Starts With You’ Focusing on asking everyone (men themselves, service providers and policy makers) to take on realistic and achievable ‘missions’ (tasks,

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Cardiac services at LUH still under threat – Deputy Mac Lochlainn

Donegal TD, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has given the news that angiography services will continue at Letterkenny University Hospital a guarded welcome as he believes the overall cardiac services at the hospital are still under threat. Deputy MacLochlainn says the decision to reinstate the angiography services is only a temporary decision and stated that this is

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Special event held to mark contribution by Defence Forces at Covid vaccine centre

A special Recognition Event was held on Wednesday May 25th to pay tribute to and mark the contribution of the Defence Force members whose assignment to the Letterkenny COVID-19 Vaccination Centre has ended. The Defence Forces from the 28 Infantry Battalion based at Finner Camp, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal have supported the vaccination programme throughout key

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Further calls for macular degeneration treatment in Donegal

There’s further calls for provision and access to macular degeneration treatment to be provided in Donegal. Patients from the county are being forced to travel to Sligo for treatment due to limited ophthalmic services at Letterkenny University Hospital. A recruitment campaign is underway for a Consultant Medical Ophthalmologist to deliver an injection service in Donegal.

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