Hawkeye Falconry based in the grounds of the Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny is a purpose built falconry school. John recently met with owners Caroline and John Duggan and chatted to them about their business and how they used the lockdown as an opportunity to develop their business and offer a unique experience. 

Kevin Brennan Managing Director of Kilkenny Company Modubuild was recently named as a finalist in the International Category of this year's Entrepreneur Of The Year awards. Kevin recently joined John on The Bottom Line to chat about the work they do and what it means to be named as one of the 24 finalists in this year’s awards.

Xuemei Germaine, CEO and Founder of Carlow based MicroGen Biotech spoke with John about her organisation, the work they do and what it means to be named as one of the 24 finalists in this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.

To take a look back over some of the biggest news stories of the week and the implications for business, John was joined by former Editor in Chief of NewsTalk and Managing Director of Harte Media, Garrett Harte. 

With the Government having announced the latest guidelines on easing of Covid restrictions, John was joined by Ciarán Conroy, Chair of Kilkenny Tourism and Colin Duggan, President of County Carlow Chamber of Commerce to discuss the changes and the implications for Tourism and Hospitality in Kilkenny and Carlow.

During the week John visited Hawkeye Falconry in Kilkenny, where he met with owners Caroline and John Duggan and chatted to them about their business and how they used the lockdown as an opportunity to build a Falconry school on the grounds of the Lyrath Estate.

Halo Business Angel Network the all-island organisation responsible for the promotion of business angel investment, will be hosting an online ‘Angel Investing South East Showcase’ webinar on Thursday 3rd June 2021 from 12-1pm and aims to provide more information for investors and those considering becoming investors.  Entrepreneur and Investor Michael Hoyne spoke with John about being an “Angel investor” and what investors can offer early stage start-ups.

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

To contact the show, email: [email protected] 

With the IMF urging Ireland to increase taxes, a report from the ESRI which suggested that broad based tax increases from the Irish Government may be needed to fund future public spending, Economist Jim Power joined John to share his thoughts on how this will impact consumers as well as businesses. 

With the news that Flakes for our '99's may be in short supply, Jim discusses Brexit, which despite not being discussed much in the first five months of the year, is having an impact on business.
 

 Last week the IMF urged Ireland to increase taxes while this week a report by the ESRI suggests that broad based tax increases from the Irish Government may be needed to fund future public spending. Economist Jim Power joined John to share his thoughts on how this will impact consumers as well as businesses. Jim also discusses Brexit, which despite not being discussed much in the first five months of the year, is having an impact on business.
 

Carlow and Kilkenny have a proud tradition of success in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards and this year the tradition continues with Carlow based MicroGen Biotech being named as a finalist in the Emerging Category while Kilkenny Company Modubuild was named as a finalist in the International Category. Xuemei Germaine, CEO and Founder of MicroGen Biotech and Kevin Brennan, MD at Modubuild spoke with John about their organisations and what it means to be named as one of the 24 finalists in this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.
 

Tiny Tipple is a new Carlow start-up which gives you the opportunity to sample some of the premium whiskeys and other spirits from around the world without having to break the bank to do so. Ivor O’Loughlin spoke to John about the business and how the idea came about.

Philip McDonald of Detail Menswear speaks to John about reopening their stores in Carlow and Kilkenny this week after the longest lockdown period since the pandemic began.

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

To contact the show, email: [email protected]

In a week that will have been a busy one for some businesses who reopened their doors for the first time since December, John Purcell spoke with Tánaiste & Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar about reopening business and the continuation of business supports, the continuing challenges facing the hospitality and tourism industries, paying the Government’s Covid bills and lots more.

In a week that will have been a busy one for some businesses who reopened their doors for the first time since December, John Purcell spoke with Tánaiste & Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar about reopening business and the continuation of business supports, the continuing challenges facing the hospitality and tourism industries, paying the Government’s Covid bills and lots more.

Colin Ahern, President of Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce joined John to discuss the latest developments in the closure of the Smithwick’s Experience in Kilkenny and the doubts that hang over the North Quays Development in Waterford city just on the border with Kilkenny, a project which has claimed to be a huge driver of business for the South East.

Laura Slattery, Journalist at the Irish Times chats to John about some of the business stories of the week.
 
Both Colin and Laura also shared their reactions on what the Tánaiste had to say about the reopening of the economy, the world of work post lockdown and how business is faring as the economy slowly begins to re-open.
 

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

To contact the show, email: [email protected]

Twenty Questions is our feature piece on getting to know the people behind the businesses and organisations within our communities and this month our guest was Fiona Deegan, Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office in Kilkenny. 

Prior to reopening of businesses  in early May,  Norah Casey joined John to chat about lockdowns - how they have been managed and their impact on SME's across the Country.  She discussed what was then the early stages of a roadmap to re-opening and how she feels about the future for business.