This week on The Bottom Line on KCLR John Purcell spoke with Olga Barry, Director of Kilkenny Arts Festival about the arts sector and it's impact on the economy, what the festivals such as Kilkenny Arts Festival would have contributed to the local economy in previous. They also chat about how the Festival is taking place this year.

Cliff Reid of BoatTrips Ireland chats to John about his company which offers boat trips on the River Nore in Kilkenny and the River Barrow in Carlow and how they are adapting to new reality of Tourism industry.

The Little Mill Company based in Bennettsbridge, Co. Kilkenny was one of the companies who during the height of the lockdown would have been at their busiest, ensuring that they flour they produce was in plentiful supply for a nation who couldn't get enough of baking. Robert Mosse, Director of The Little Mill Company joined John to chat about their business, operating through Covid and what learning they would take from it.

MySkin Integrity Ltd is a Kilkenny based business which creates natural skincare products to help soothe and support clients during their cancer journey.  The business was founded by Denise O’Connell who joined John to chat about her business and how it began.

Sunshine Juice Ltd a local company based in Tinryland, Carlow is one of the largest freshly squeezed orange juice producers nationally, and MD Paul Walshe spoke with John about his organisation, working through Covid and the products that they produce.

Deirdre Dunne, Enterprise Executive with Kilkenny Local Enterprise Office joined John on the programme to chat about the recent Shop Local, Shop Safely which took place across the County.

With thanks to O’Neill Foley, Produced by Deirdre Dromey.

To contact the show, email [email protected]