Playback Archives - Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport

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 rise in membership, and plans for the future. As you will hear, Shane Deery is full of enthusiasm and drive and is upbeat about the future for local businesses in the Finn Valley area.

Later in this week’s edition, Chris has a very interesting conversation with Tyrone entrepreneur Mary McKenna MBE.

Have you heard of the Awaken Angels or the Awaken Angels Hub? Awaken Angels is the first and only women-led investment syndicate across the island of Ireland – and it may be of interest to lots of women founders throughout the county and women (and men) who may want to learn more about how they can actually become an angel investor and back brilliant Irish businesses – or how, if they are a women founder or cofounder of a business in Donegal they can find out about the supports available to them.

A new report – Breaking Barriers, Backing Women, Building Businesses – reveals growing interest in women-led investment across the island of Ireland, stemming from the creation of their new syndicate that enables people (men and women) to back women-led businesses here that are seeking to scale/internationalise.

Mary is a serial angel investor, essentially someone who invests in a small business in exchange for a minority stake.

Originally from Dungannon, she lives in Greencastle, and has a wealth of experience in business and investing. Indeed, she co-founded the successful Derry based online learning company Learning Pool following a solid government career and a spell as a Silicon Valley dotcommer.

She’s really passionate about helping early stage start-ups to get off the ground, and especially working with first-time and female entreprenesurs.

Her diary is always busy as she’s always travelling. Indeed, she took time out of her busy scheduled recently to talk to Chris from New York all about Awaken Angels.

The post Business Matters – Ep 271: Ballybofey & Stranorlar Business Chamber on the up – plus Awaken Angels and investing in women-led firms appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

This week on the DL Debate, Brendan Devenney is joined by Burt’s Conor Gartland, Setanta Chairman Simon McMenamin and Gaelic Life’s Michael McMullan as they take a look at all the GAA news stories and reviews of Ulster Club Championship ties from the weekend.

The DL Debate in association with Sara’s Kitchen at Sister Sara’s Letterkenny:

The post DL Debate – 17/11/25 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

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  at Kernans Bistro & Coffee House in the town.

And what a successful event it was, as those in attendance heard about how Galway has given bilingual status in 2016. Letterkenny is designated as a Gaeltacht Service Town and there is no doubt that the use of more Irish can pay real dividends. Letterkenny can learn from the Galway experience.

In the programme, Chris Ashmore hears from three of the speakers from the event, Bairbre Uí Chathail of Lionra Leitir Ceannan, which was established to promote the Irish language in Letterkenny and further afield,  Bríd Ní Chonghóile of Gaillimh le Gaeilge, and Polish woman Joanna Ciezka who despite having no Irish background has developed an Irish themed sock business which actively uses Irish.

First up, a few days after the event Chris paid a visit to the offices of Líonra Leitir Ceanainn to find out a bit more…..

The post Business Matters – Ep 270: Why using more Irish is a win, win for Letterkenny businesses appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

This week on The Score…

We’re joined by Donegal’s new 100-mile world-record-holder Caitriona Jennings, we speak to the camps of Burt and Setanta ahead of the big Ulster Club hurling games for both clubs this weekend, Chloe Magee will talk about the local interest in this week’s Badminton Irish Open…

Plus, we hear from the two Gweedore teams – United and Celtic – ahead of Sunday’s big local derby…

The post The Score – 13/11/25 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

This week on the DL Debate, Brendan Devenney is joined by Young Footballer of the Year and All Star Finbarr Roarty,Erne Gaels and New Fermanagh boss Declan Bonner plus Loughmacrory coach Luke Barret and Donegal and Noamh Conaill legend John Gildea.

The DL Debate in association with Sara’s Kitchen at Sister Sara’s Letterkenny:

The post The DL Debate 10/11/25 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

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 Laura McGoran, a food and fitness enthusiast, and John Duffy, a regenerative farmer working to restore native woodlands at Future Oak Farm near Churchill, Wild & Co turns locally sourced 100% wild Irish venison into high protein, low calorie snacks with nothing artificial added. 

The product achieves a 12-month ambient shelf life without artificial preservatives, a first for Irish wild game products.

There’s a great story behind the product, and there is certainly big potential going forward.

For more details abou  Wild & Co, see: www.wildandco.ie

You can hear the full interview here:

The post Business Matters: Ep 269 – New Donegal firm to launch wild venison protein bars appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

This week on The Score” with Mark Gallagher…

We look ahead to the big games in Ulster for Naomh Columba and Naomh Conaill this weekend as they enter the Ulster Club Championships, we have a preview of the upcoming Donegal Harvest Rally with Deputy Clerk Of The Course Brian Brogan…

Plus, we hear from our horse-racing correspondent Dave Keena on the achievements of Letterkenny jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle…

The post The Score – 06/11/25 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

This week on the DL Debate, Brendan Devenney is joined by Pauric Hilferty and Gaelic life’s Micheal Mc Mullen to discuss all the big Gaa news stories of the week plus the upcoming Ulster club games.

The post The DL Debate – The Championship 3/11/25 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

This week on The Score… We look ahead to the final weekend on the League Of Ireland calendar with Joe Boyle, we hear from Lifford Celtic manager Lee White about where the club are heading, Kyle McBride joins us to talk about his recent success in the world of rallying… Plus, Spencer Saberton will cast an eye over the big event at Lifford Greyhound Stadium this weekend…

The post The Score – 30/10/25 appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.

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, but in many top hotels across Donegal and beyond. 

They also have a range of top quality bedroom furniture, sofas, chairs, lighting, and pictures.

Sleep is so, so important, and when it comes to the world of mattresses, Dermot knows all about it, having been involved in the business from a young age.

To find out more about the business, how it all began, designing and manufacturing mattresses and divans, and the journey to date, Chris went round to their showroom at the Pinehill Industrial Estate at the Mountain Top in Letterkenny to speak with Dermot.

The post Business Matters, Ep 268: Dermot Doherty of Restex as it celebrates 50th anniversary year appeared first on Highland Radio - Latest Donegal News and Sport.