Down To Business

Things are definitely getting back to normal because after two years of virtual events 'Bloom' is back live in the Phoenix Park.

Now in its 16th year, 'Bord Bia Bloom' has become one of Ireland’s largest showcases celebrating the best of Irish horticulture, food, and drink.

Bobby took a trip out to Phoenix Park to taste some of the food on offer, meet the people, and of course, take a stroll around the gardens.

Animation is a magical medium that not only captures the imagination but can also teach us valuable lessons as well.

It just so happens that here in Ireland, we have some of the most talented and dedicated creative minds in the animation business.

So, to help Bobby better understand how it all works, he was joined by three people in the know to discuss:

- Tomm Moore, Co-founder & Creative Director of Cartoon Saloon

- Gillian Comerford, Creative Director at Bouldermedia

- Ronan McCabe, Chief Executive Officer at Animation Ireland

Across the water our closest neighbours are celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee where Queen Elizabeth II has been on the throne for a staggering 70 years.

But how are things looking for the British economy with a Prime Minister who has skirted dangerously close to being fired, a war in Ukraine, and of course rampant inflation?

Bobby was joined by Economics Editor & columnist with the Sunday Times, David Smith to discuss.

For many pop music fans, the return of ABBA live-in-concert has been long-awaited.

Tech guru Andy O'Dononbhue joined Bobby to talk about the Abba avatars that have been created to make the show possible - technology which he thinks is the metaverse happening in front of our eyes!

Joining Bobby in the Executive chair is Paul Candon, CEO of United Hardware Limited.

Neil Bannon is a well-known retail property expert and the executive chairman at Bannon.

He thinks that the death of the retail property market is being overstated and that the media, including us here on 'Down to Business', are over-egging it.

Neil joined Bobby to discuss.

We are a nation of animal lovers, and with that comes a lot of care.

But how have things been for those who make it their life’s work to take charge of that care in the last few years?

To find out Bobby is joined by:

- Elise O'Byrne White, Veterinary Surgeon at the DSPCA who also features on the RTÉ series ‘The Shelter: Animal SOS’ on Friday nights.

- Conor Geraghty, Veterinary Surgeon at Geraghty & Neary Veterinary in Mountbellew, Co. Galway & also Former President of Veterinary Ireland.

- Dr. Rosalinda Devereux, Owner at Wexford Equine Veterinary Practice & President of Irish Equine Veterinary Association.

Friend of the show, Mark Simmonds, has just published a new book that looks at the growing and the seemingly inescapable problem of letting work stress get the better of you.

Mark took a call from Bobby to chat about what we can do to mitigate the impact of a heavy workload as well as his book, ‘Beat Stress at Work-How to Balance Your Ambition With Your Anxiety’.

Leo Cullen’s Leinster take on Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle at Stade Velodrome in Marseille in the Heineken Champion’s Cup Final this afternoon and so to look ahead to what promises to be a colossal match, Bobby is joined by Off the Ball’s Will O’Callaghan to get his predictions.

Bobby welcomed to the studio Fiona Uyema, who is a cookbook author and founder of the Asian cooking essentials range ‘Fused’.

Her food, and indeed business journey, began after time spent in Japan and she’s just this week launched 2 new spicy sauces with 100% of profits going to the Irish Red Cross's vital work in Ukraine.

She joined Bobby to discuss.