Down To Business

Athlone is home to some very old businesses in the country with Ireland’s oldest department store and also oldest pub. Joining Bobby is Rosie Boles of Burgess of Athlone & Declan Delaney, Manager of Seán’s Bar to talk about the businesses and the history behind them.

Bobby took a cruise up the River Shannon into the heartland of the country with Pearse Connell of Hidden Heartlands Tours where they took in the beauty of the area and chatted about the touring business in general. Bobby also stopped into the Wineport Lodge Hotel to chat to Ray Byrne where they recently celebrated 30 years in busniess.

Bobby is joined by Fianna Fáil TD for Longford/Westmeath Robert Troy who is also the Minister of State with responsibility for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation at the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment. Together they discuss AIB scrapping their plan to remove cash services in 70 branches and what role the Post Office might play in the years to some when it comes to managing personal finances.

Bobby is joined by Michael Hassett, owner of Cork-based 'Hassett's Bakery' who has just secured a deal worth €6m to supply Lidl with a chilled cake and dessert range, available in 175 Lidl stores across Ireland.

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Joe Queenan, Managing Director of Foxford Woollen Mills.

It is one of life’s fundamental truths that if we don’t push ourselves beyond what we think we’re capable of, to take ourselves out of our comfort zone, then we will never tap into the potential we have within us. Sue Stockdale, Business Transformational and Leadership Change Coach and author of ‘Explore: A Life of Adventure’ certainly knows a thing or two about high-pressure situations and living on the edge - she joins Bobby to discuss.

Tourism is a vital component of the Irish economy. So, now that things are back in full swing, Bobby thought he’d get the perspective of three tour guides who make it their business to showcase the natural beauty and historical richness that we have to offer. Joining Bobby is Lorcan Collins, Founder of 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour Derek Smith, Founder of Custom Irish Tours Tommy Graham, Founder of Historical Walking Tours of Dublin

Every leader, no matter whether they have several thousand people working with them or just one, has two main responsibilities: to create direction and clarity and to get out of the way. So says Paula Leach, Founder and Executive Coach of Vantage Points Consulting & author of ‘Vantage Points: How to Create a Culture Where Employees Thrive'. She joins Bobby to discuss.

Bobby stopped into the Celtic Whisky Shop on Dublin's Dawson Street to see how trade is going and to chat with Katie Gibson, Marketing Manager, Store Manager, Darren Maher, and Wholesale Manager, Colm O'Connor.

Paul Howard, creator of one of the most iconic literary fictional Irish characters of the last 20 years - Ross O'Carroll-Kelly - joined Bobby to chat about the return of his smash hit musical, 'Copper Face Jacks: The Musical'.