This week on The Bottom Line on KCLR John was joined by Helen Carroll to discuss the Agri business sector, the impacts of another year without the public being able to attend the Ploughing Championship and as restrictions have been easing over the last number of months Helen discusses how things are hopefully getting back to normal.
 
As concerts and live performance begin again after 18 months of closure John spoke with Niall Stokes, Editor of Irish Music Industry bible Hot Press about the industry and about how Hot Press, KCLR and 24 other radio stations around the country are teaming up for Irish Music Month.
 
Brian Butler of Ormonde School of Motoring chatted to John about his business and the growing shortage of truck drivers which has already become a crisis in the UK and what are the impacts for Ireland.
 
With the 43rd Ryder Cup teeing off on Friday, John caught up with Dean Klatt of Seed Golf to discuss how his Golf equipment business based in Carlow fared during lockdown, developing new ranges and crowdfunding.

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

To contact the show, email: [email protected]

Jason Clerkin, Chief Executive of Kilkenny Abbey Quarter Development, joined John to provide an update on the progress of the work at The Abbey Quarter Site and to answer questions about the development of business on the site.

Alexandra Hamilton, Senior Engineer at Three Counties Energy Agency joined John to discuss what simple changes businesses can make now to reduce their carbon footprint, how they can work towards being carbon neutral and save money.

As The Bottom Line returned for a new season, John Purcell was joined by Samantha McCaughren, Business Editor of The Sunday Independent to take a look back on what had been some of the big business stories from the summer from further lifting of restrictions to the ongoing challenges with the global supply chain.
 
Jason Clerkin Chief Executive of Kilkenny Abbey Quarter, joined John to provide an update on the progress of the work and to answer questions about the development of business on the site.
 
Alexandra Hamilton, Senior Engineer at Three Counties Energy Agency(3CEA) chatted to John about achieving carbon neutrality in your business. Alexandra provided some simple tips on what businesses can do to reduce their carbon footprint and save money.

During the week, Fáilte Ireland announced the allocation of €9 million in funding for 38 locations. The funding is for the development of outdoor dining facilities that are weather resistant. Locally nearly €850,000 has been allocated to Carlow and Kilkenny under the scheme and Brian O’Flynn, Head of Ireland’s Ancient East at Fáilte Ireland spoke with John about the funding and to discuss how the last few months in tourism has been.

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

To contact the show, email: [email protected] 

Laura Slattery, Irish Times journalist,  joined John to discuss some of the topical business news stories from the week. Laura also spoke to John about her recent experience of holidaying in Ireland and the impacts of Covid-19 on domestic tourism.

Many pubs and those in the licensed trade have been closed since March 2020, and with proposals for reopening being brought before cabinet on Tuesday, Padraig Cribben, Chief Executive of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland joined John to speak about the challenges and impacts on the industry as well as what needs to be done ahead of reopening.

"Twenty Questions” the feature where we ask our guests twenty questions designed to give you an insight into the individual outside of their role in business, this month our guest was Linda Codoul, President of Network Ireland Kilkenny.

Tom Cullen, Deputy Director General of The Society of The Irish Motor Industry joined John to discuss the challenges that the industry has experienced over the last year and a half due to Brexit and the Pandemic, how on a positive note the used car market and the electric vehicle market remain strong and what needs to be done to support the motor trade.

With thanks to O’Neill Foley, Produced by Deirdre Dromey.
 
To contact the show, email: [email protected] 

With the postponement of the planned full re-opening of restaurants and hospitality it has been a really hard week for many in the sector, John caught up with Economist Jim Power to hear his thoughts on the delayed reopening, the economic impacts and his view on the Central Banks latest forecast released during the week.

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open took place in Mount Juliet Estate over the weekend and with the event being broadcast to millions of viewers around the world, we spoke with Martin Donnelly, Product Sales & Distribution Manager at Fáilte Ireland about the importance of Golf Tourism to the Irish economy. 

The world of work has changed dramatically since the pandemic began, Breda Dooley, Regional Recruitment Manager at Matrix Recruitment spoke with John about recruitment through the pandemic, how things have changed and what changes may continue after the pandemic. Breda chats through some of the trends and what sectors are showing an increase in recruitment.

Campion Insurance recently announced their expansion into the West of Ireland through a merger with McLaughlin & Greaney Insurances t/a Future, having started in 1984 with just one office in Urlingford, Co. Kilkenny the deal sees Campion Insurance become one of the biggest insurance brokerages in the country. Jim Campion, Chief Executive of Campion Insurance spoke to John about the business and plans for the future. 

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

To contact the show, email: [email protected] 

Sonix Entertainment is an Event Management company based in Kilkenny and Managing Director Glenn Tector joined John to speak about the devastating impacts of Covid-19 on his business, what the future looks like for the sector which has been almost totally closed down since the pandemic began and how he remains resilient.
 

Health & Safety has changed irrevocably over the last year and as many business owners may now be preparing for staff returning to the office, John chatted to Emer Gaffney, Managing Director of Carraig Safety Consultants for Health & Safety guidance on what employers need to consider for a return to the workplace.

Samantha McCaughren, Business Editor of the Sunday Independent, joined John to chat through some of the business stories that were making the headlines during the week.

Sonix Entertainment is an Event Management company based in Kilkenny and Managing Director Glenn Tector joined John to speak about the impacts of Covid-19 on his business and what the future looks like for the sector which has been almost totally closed down since the pandemic began.

Emer Gaffney, Managing Director of Carraig Safety Consultants spoke with John about Health & Safety in the workplace. As business owners may now be planning for a return to the office, Emer provides some Health & Safety guidance on how organisations can work through the return to the office.

Garda Darren Leahy of the Community Policing Unit and Gerry Dunne, Chairperson of Carlow Town Business Watch spoke with John about the Carlow Town Business Watch programme, a community initiative aimed at crime prevention for the business community in Carlow.

With thanks to O’Neill Foley, Produced by Deirdre Dromey.
   
To contact the show, email: [email protected] 

 “Powerhouse – Carlow Businesswomen’s Network” is a new Women in Business Network and Helen Whelan, owner of Thrive Café, based in Tullow spoke with John about her own experiences of owning & operating a business and the benefits of having a business network for entrepreneurs.