Down To Business

From sourcing unique pieces and restoration work to adapting to changing consumer tastes, antiques are a business built on expertise, craftsmanship and history. For this week's industry review, Bobby takes a closer look at the antiquing industry in Ireland. Joining Bobby was, Eoin Ryan, Owner, Straffan Antiques, Kildare Garrett Weldon, Weldon's Jewellers George William, Antiques Restoration Specialist and Historian

Joining Bobby in the executive chair this week is Rosie Connolly Quinn of Irish Womenswear Label 4th Arq.

When talking about Irish business, we often concentrate on large companies and multinationals, but what does Irish business actually look like on the ground? Irish Independent Columnist Conor Skehan joined Bobby to see what really goes on behind the scenes in Ireland's economy.

Communication expert and friend of the show Gina London joined Bobby to discuss her brand new book Amplify You: How to Connect More Powerfully in an AI World.

Ireland's Fittest Family continues to capture the public imagination, and showcase a thing or two about competition, leadership and performing under pressure. While at the Ploughing last week, Bobby bumped into Davy Fitz and Andrew Trimble and spoke about what life is like after sport.

Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers are Louisa Meehan of Woodview HRM and Bob Hoffman of Vista Executive Search.

Ever thought of putting creatine in chocolate bars? Well that is exactly what Creatime Bars has done. Bobby chats to the founders behind Creatime bars, Milo O'Donohoe and Tom Glynn.

We have spent a lot of time talking about the technology industry and the extraordinary pace at which AI and other technologies are developing but what about the people whose job it is to keep up with all of it? Tech journalism has changed dramatically in recent years, with journalists having to cover everything from AI and billion-euro investments to regulation, job losses and the impact of new technology on businesses and consumers. So this week's Industry Review, we're going behind the headlines to find out what it's actually like to be a technology journalist in 2026. Joining Bobby to discuss: Elaine Burke, Science and Tech Journalist and host of the For Tech's Sake Podcast Charlie Taylor, Technology & Innovation Editor, Business Post Ciara O'Brien, Business and Technology Journalist at The Irish Times.

Joining Bobby 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 Financial

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Stephen Smith, Kitman Labs Founder & CEO

Steven Bartlett is most famous for being a dragon in the UK version of Dragon's Den and his successful Diary of a CEO podcast. But what is he really like?Bobby chats to one man who has spent time with him, Daniel Thomas, Global Media Editor with the Financial Times.

At the Bank of Ireland tent at The National Ploughing Championship, Bobby chats to Eoin Lowry Head of Agri, Bank of Ireland, Shane Halpin, FBD Young farmer of the Year and Vegetable Grower, Liam Barton FBD Land Mobility Winner and Grasstec Group and Contract rearing dairy and beef, and Aoife Mahony, Teagasc PHD student and Sheep and Beef farmer - the future of the agricultural sector.

The canals of Ireland are more than just historic waterways running through the country, it has become a workplace, a destination and a business built around tourism, food, leisure and recreation. Nut what is it like to run a business on and around the canal and what opportunities and challenges does it present? Joining Bobby are Mícheál Ó Cionna, proprietor of Canal Boat Restaurant in Dublin. Robert Crilly, proprietor of Midlands Cycle Hub in Longford. Ger Loughlin, founder and skipper of BargeTrip.ie based in Sallins, Co. Kildare.

Bobby was out and about again this week, where he stopped into Volume Records record shop in Dun Laoghaire.

Justin Pennington is the author of The Intrapreneur Leader, and he joined Bobby to discuss why we need to reframe what or who a leader actually is.

Joining Boby to go through the main business stories in Saturday's papers is Gina London, communications consultant and author of Amplify You: How to Connect More Powerfully in an AI world, and Newstalk's own Eamonn Toursney.

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Conor Maning, MD of Pipelife Ireland.

Paul Gillespie, columnist with the Irish Times and UCD academic recently wrote about the town of Shannon and claimed it was a symptom of failure to decentralise the state. Paul joined Bobby this morning to share his thoughts.

Doug Stephens is the Founder and CEO of Retail Prophet, and widely regarded as one of the world's foremost retail industry futurists. He joins Bobby to discuss the real world business implications of renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America.

Bobby was out and about again this week where he stopped into the fabulously trendy sandwich spot on Dublin's Drury Street - Morso!

There's something about a classic car that goes beyond simply getting from A to B. Whether it's nostalgia, an investment, a restoration project or just the pleasure of driving something with a bit of character, there's a thriving business built around these cars. So today, we're looking at the business of classic cars in Ireland - what's driving demand, what makes a car valuable, and whether these old motors really are a good investment.Joining Bobby to discuss is:Simon Deane of Deane MotorsBernard Bradley, owner of Courtyard Classic CarsMichael Lyons from Lyons Garages in Clare

Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Sarah Stone McDevitt, author of ‘The Round Table: How Relational Intelligence Will Become Your Human Advantage in the AI Age' & Jon Ihle, Deputy Business Editor of the Sunday Times Ireland.

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is John Kelly of Suir Engineering.

For a business, “giving back” can sometimes sound like a bit of a corporate cliché, but what does it actually mean when that support reaches the ground and makes a measurable difference to people's lives? Tesco's Community Fund has been doing that since 2014, distributing more than €10 million to some 27,000 community projects across Ireland. Joining Bobby to hear all about the initiative is:Louise Glennon, Head of Community at Tesco Ireland John Moylan from Blood Bike West Jacinta Walsh from ABACAS

Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is employment law expert, Caroline Reidy & Lorcan Allen of Keating and Associates.

The Budget is only a few weeks away so pre-budget statements are arriving thick and fast. We also know investment in infrastructure will be key to ensuring the Irish economy can function in the years ahead. Andrew Brownlee, CEO of the Construction Industry Federation joins Emmet Oliver to discuss.

When you think about climate change and its effects on your business, how do you feel? Stressed at every new regulation? Or do you see it as a positive challenge that may well add value to your company if you get it right. Sandhya Sabapathy follows the second path and her new book offers a guide to achieving this - she joins Emmet Oliver to discuss.

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Pam Stone, Chief Executive of Respa Beds.

From timeless pieces to one-of-a-kind finds, vintage clothes shops are reshaping the way we think about fashion, sustainability and style. But what does the business of vintage actually look like in Ireland? Where is demand coming from, what makes a vintage shop successful, and how is the industry changing? For this week's Industry Review, we're looking at the world of vintage clothing with three experts from the sector. Joining Emmet Oliver are: Eddie Shanahan, Retail Consultant Michael Mc Quade, Founder of Badlands Vintage Naomi Fitzgibbon, Vintage Finds You

In a story on the front page of this morning's Irish Independent, the Government is considering slowing or delaying planned carbon-tax increases as it weighs the cost-of-living burden against Ireland's climate commitments. The current path towards a €100-per-tonne carbon price would add significantly to petrol, diesel and home-heating costs by 2030, but ministers are examining alternatives, from differentiated rates to stronger supports for cleaner cars and home heating. For more on this Emmet is joined by Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor of the Irish Independent.

For this week's industry review Bobby talks to a group of professionals from an industry we're all familiar with in some way; Dentists. Though they provide us all with a huge service, this often-overlooked healthcare branch has unique challenges even compared to other areas of the health industry.Joining Bobby to discuss all of this is:National Group Advisor to Portman Dentex Ireland and Adjunct Faculty at both the Royal College of Surgeons and University College Cork, Dr Paul O'DwyerOwner of Boyne Dental in Navan, David MurnaghanDentist in Truly Dental Bray and Cherrywood Eavan Deithrick

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Declan Ryan, CEO and Founder of Project Foundry.

Many of us over the years have attended various conferences and events for work, whether they're in-house offsite events or larger gatherings of hundreds of businesses and industry professionals. But what separates a good conference from a bad one? What is the best way to organise one so that attendees get the most out of it? Joining Bobby to discuss is Professional Public and Motivational Speaker, Enda O'Doherty and Founder of Pendulum Summit, Frankie Sheahan.

We all know how much of a hassle travel can be, from delayed flights and packed airports to the moment you switch off airplane mode and wonder just how much your phone bill is about to cost. But that last part might be changing as an e-sim boom might spell the end of roaming fees. Joining Bobby to discuss is Ciara O'Brien, Irish Times business and technology journalist.

When you have created your own business, brought it to market, and seen it grow, the time to step back and allow others manage it on your behalf can be the hardest decision you will make. Dennis Kuipers has personal experience of this and his observations on how to break free from doing everything yourself forms the backbone to his new book, ‘Breaking Out of Founders' Prison: Make the Shift and Scale Your Business' - he joins Bobby to discuss.

Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Joan Mulvihill, Digisation expert and artist & also by Stephen O'Leary the founder of Olytico.

This week Bobby was Out & About at OpenHive Honey.

From designing bridges to building software, engineers are behind much of the world we rely on every day.  But what does the business of civil engineering actually look like in Ireland? Where is demand coming from, what skills are most valuable, and how is the industry changing?  For this week's Industry Review, we're looking at the world of civil engineering with four experts from the sector.  Mark Cotter, Chair of Engineers Ireland Cork Region,Dr Mary Moloney, civil structural engineer and lecturer at MTU,Liam Gleeson, Director at GK Consultant Engineers in Lucan,and Eugene O'Brien, Civil Engineer, Adjunct Professor at UCD, and director at Research Driven Solutions

Killian Duffy began his working life as a Rally co-driver. This passion led him to start streaming the final stages of races both here and in the UK. In time, he became frustrated at companies like facebook either deleting his work too soon or not allowing him monetise the real value of the time and energy he put into his work. That has all changed now as On The Pace Note provides all sorts of sports the chance to both stream and monetise their events without being dependent on third parties.

Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers are Declan Ralph of BWG Foods & journalist and author, Valerie Cox.

Anthropic investors expect the AI stand-up to float at a valuation of $2 trillion in what would be the world's largest IPO.   A listing at that level could unlock billions of dollars in gains for the five-year-old company's early investors.   Ronan Reid, the director of Cantor Fitzgerald, joins Bobby to discuss all things IPO. 

Joining Bobby in The Executive Chair this week is William McColgan of McColgan Quality Foods.