Down To Business

Conor Lynch is a digital innovator, educator and entrepreneur, and he has just launched his new book ‘Learn Earn Own: Learn More. Earn More. Own More'. He joins Bobby in studio to discuss.

Bobby was out & about in Simmonscourt at the 2026 Hardware Show, where he spoke to a few people spearheading innovation and shaping the future of hardware and tools.

Joining Bobby to go through the main stories from the Saturday papers is Caroline Reidy, Head of HR Solutions with NFP & Ciaran Hancock, Business Editor with the Irish Times.Bobby also spoke with Chief Economist at the Institute of International and European Affairs and Columnist with The Currency, Dan O'Brien, about the US Supreme Court striking down President Trump's sweeping emergency tariffs.

For this week's Industry Review, Bobby delves into the world of sound engineering and sound production. As Ireland continues to be at the forefront of some of the biggest creative industries around the world, Bobby speaks to three people in different areas about how it has evolved and the challenges for the future.CEO of Windmill Lane Recording Studios, Naomi MooreFounder and CEO of Gorilla Post Production, Barry ReidSound Engineer and Designer at Blast Audio, Will Farrell

Bobby is joined by veteran broadcaster & journalist Matt Cooper to chat about his book ‘Dynasty: Scandals, Triumph, Turmoil and Succession at the Heart of Dunnes Stores'.

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Ursula Kelly, Managing Director at Cormac Tagging.

For this week's Industry Review, we're talking about the business and future of graphic design - exploring how brands are built, how creative decisions get made, and what separates good design from design that actually works.Bobby is joined by three leading figures from across the industry:Brian Nolan, Founding Partner of Detail. Sinead Lawlor, aka Designer G, is a Freelance Graphic DesignerKeith McGuinness, Creative Director at Red&Grey

Bobby was out & about this week at the Hospitality Expo 2026 where he got a sense of the hospitality sector & chatted to the likes of TV Chef and Tallaght native, Anna Haugh.

Bobby is joined by Stephen O'Leary, founder of Olytico & Louisa Meehan of Woodview HRM to go through the big business stories from the Saturday papers.

The Giant is a cutting-edge visitor attraction concept consisting of three shapeshifting 15-60 meter tall LED-clad statues with moveable arms and heads. It is spearheaded by Irishman Paddy Dunning, who chats to Bobby about it all.

Bobby is joined by Anne-Maartje Oud, author of 'What To Do If...?: How to Handle Any Situation at Work and Come Out Winning'.

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chaor this week is John O'Neill, CEO & Co-founder of SeatFair.

Magnum Ice Cream reported its first full-year results since its December demerger from Unilever, but posted a disappointing 3% drop in sales volumes in the fourth quarter but is it down to the widespread use of GLP-1 drugs? AJ Bell's Investment Director, Russ Mould joins Bobby to discuss.

For this week's Industry Review, we turn to the business of wellness, speaking to three operators about building and running spa and wellbeing spaces, the pressures behind the scenes, and how the sector is evolving in a competitive service market. Joining Bobby to discuss is: ● Adrienne Stewart, Founder of hotelandsparesorts.com / Director at Powerscourt Springs Health Farm & Owner at Rainforest Spa in Summerhill House Hotel, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow ● Tara de Courcey, Director of Spa & Wellness at Cashel Palace Hotel ● Eileen Fleming, Co-owner of The Buff Day Spa

The founder of CityJet, Pat Byrne, joins Bobby in this week's Executive Chair.

The Michelin Awards are set to be hosted in Dublin for the first time this coming Monday. There's much talk about who might be added to the list or if Ireland will finally get its third star, but what is the significance of getting a star, and how are they awarded? One man who knows a thing or two about it is Ross Lewis of Chapter One, who received his own coveted star many years ago.

Bobby took a trip out to Dixon Hempenstal on Suffolk St, where he spoke to owner, Mike Wyley, about the business of eye care, how the industry has changed, and to get an eye exam.

To go through the main stories from the Saturday papers, Bobby is joined by Susan HayesCulleton aka The Positive Economist and presenter of Taking Stock, as well as Doug Keatinge from Avolon.

Have you ever sat on an interview board and the candidate facing you is just too good to be true? In the age of AI and online interviewing, the reality is that more candidates are using AI tools to impress or even fool interviewers into giving them the job. Bobby is joined by Sinead English, Founder and CEO of HILT, to look at both sides of the recruiting equation and to explore how common this scenario is becoming.

Joining Bobby to go through the Sunday papers is Gina London, Leadership communication expert and Bob Hoffman of Vista Executive Search.

For this week's Industry Review, we turn to Ireland's booming distillery sector, finding out how Irish whiskey has been growing at home and abroad, and what that means for producers on the ground and the wider industry.Joining Bobby to discuss is:Eoin Ó Catháin, Director of the Irish Whiskey AssociationPádraic Ó Griallais, Co-Founder at Micil Distillery in GalwayPat Rigney, founder & owner of The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney in Drumshanbo

Ireland's economy shrank in the last three months of 2025, in a time when we hear about bursting government coffers, but how can this be? Joining Bobby to talk through the details is economist, Austin Hughes.

Bobby is joined by Paul Sloane to talk about his book 'The Art of Unexpected Solutions: Using Lateral Thinking to Find Breakthroughs', a guide to fostering innovation by embracing unconventional and indirect thinking methods.

How do you tip and who do you tip to are two of the hardest questions to answer on a night out. This week, the consumer watchdog tried to make things clearer as the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) issued a report which said technology has changed the tipping landscape. It also issued guidelines to ensure that people more clearly understand where their money is going and why. Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Editor from The Irish Times, joins Bobby to discuss.

John Corley, CEO and co-founder of Spanish Point Technologies, joins Bobby in the Executive Chair.

Joining Emmet Oliver in the Executive Chair is Jenny Johnston, CEO at Azure Communications.

Joining Emmet Oliver to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Linda Daly, business reporter with the Sunday Times and Robert Whelan of Rockwell Finance.

For this week's Industry Review, we looked at businesses that operate partly or entirely through the Irish language and asked what that choice means in practical terms for growth, customers, and competitiveness in the modern economy. Joining Anton to discuss is: ● Deirdre Ní Thuathail, Managing Director with Cló Iar-Chonnacht ● Darren Ó Rodaigh, CEO & Founder of Coláiste Gaelchultúr ● Deirdre Ní Choistín, Director General at TG4

How threatened by AI do you feel? Will it take away large chunks of your employment skills? Andrew Bryant, author of 'Potential-Ize: How Leaders Unlock Human Potential in the Age of AI' thinks we may be overthinking things, and that humanity can never be matched by AI. He joins Emmet Oliver to discuss.

Liam Collins, journalist for Mediahuis Ireland covering the Irish Independent and Sunday Independent, joins Emmet Oliver to chat about the publication of his late father's book 'Kings, Druids, and Traitors'.

Following one of the strangest weeks in geopolitics, where the eyes of the world were on Davos, Emmet Oliver wanted to look at where Ireland now stands in the world when it comes to American relations. Cliff Taylor, Managing Editor of the Irish Times, has been watching events all week - he joins Emmet to discuss.

Across the world, governments are exploring ways to boost food reserves as political instability and climate concerns bring food resource management into sharp focus. Emmet Oliver is joined by Susannah Savage, Commodities Correspondent for the Financial Times, who has been writing about this and how it may affect the market.

Joining Emmet Oliver to go through the main stories from the business pages of the Saturday papers is Ciara McDonagh of Healy Communications and Ronan Reid of Cantor Fitzgerald.

Down to Business has a long association with the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and that will continue this year. This year's awards programme has just been launched, and joining Emmet Oliver to discuss is Roger Wallace, Head of Assurance and EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Ireland.

Creativity is something we all understand, but does it differ across cultures and societies worldwide? Frederick Heren, author of The World of Creativity, A Journey Across 37 Countries to Discover the Secrets of Creative Minds, joins Emmet Oliver to discuss.

For this week's Industry Review, we're looking at the business behind sports journalism. It's an industry driven by deadlines, digital subscriptions and intense competition - but what's it really like to build a career covering sport in Ireland today? Joining Emmet Oliver to discuss is: Roy Curtis, Sportswriter & Columnist for The Irish Daily Star and The Irish Mirror David Kelly, Chief Sports Analysis Writer with the Irish Independent Alanna Cunane, Sportswriter with the Irish Independent

Joining Emmet Oliver in the Executive Chair is Sheila O'Donnell and John Tuomey of O'Donnell + Tuomey Architects.

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Daniel Rubin, founder of Dune London and author of ‘Sole Survivor: How I Built a Global Shoe Brand'.

For this week's Industry Review, Bobby looks ahead to the year in travel. Joining him are three industry leaders: Claire Doherty, Product and Operations Director at Travel DepartmentPeter Cullen, Chief Operating Officer of Click&GoMartin Skelly, Director of Navan Travel

Joining Bobby to chat about his new book 'How To Think About AI: A Guide for the Perplexed' is Richard E. Susskind.

In C.O.U.R.A.G.E., Christopher O. H. Williams reveals how to harness innate courage in everyday life to make a lasting impact and live authentically, without regret. He joins Bobby to discuss.

As a family doctor, Dr Mark Rowe has seen first-hand the impact of investing in your future self with simple, small changes to your daily routine that leverage the science of habits for lasting results. He joins Bobby to chat about his book, ‘Things Your Future Self Will Thank You For'.