Down To Business
Down To Business is Ireland's premier business show, hosted by Bobby Kerr. The podcast covers a wide range of enterprise-related topics, from personal finance to the latest business news. It promotes itself as offering conversation that counts, reflecting the ethos of Ireland's national independent talk station, Newstalk, which focuses on news, sport, analysis, and entertainment.
Episodes
What are the business implications of renaming Lake Ontario?
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.
Out & About: Morso
Bobby was out and about again this week where he stopped into the fabulously trendy sandwich spot on Dublin’s Drury Street - Morso!
Industry Review: Classic Cars
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
Bobby’s Business Roundup September 5th
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.
Executive Chair: John Kelly of Suir Engineering
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is John Kelly of Suir Engineering.
Tesco’s Blue Token Fund: Every Little Helps
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:Louis
Down to Business News Roundup August 29th
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.
Andrew Brownlee, CEO of the Construction Industry Federation
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.
Burn Bright, Build Slow: How to Build a Just Climate Future
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.
Executive Chair: Pam Stone, Chief Executive of Respa Beds
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Pam Stone, Chief Executive of Respa Beds.
Industry Review: Vintage Clothes
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 t
Carbon Tax: Is the Government rethinking its climate plans?
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 d
Industry Review: Dentists
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 Adju
Executive Chair: Declan Ryan, CEO and Founder of Project Foundry
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Declan Ryan, CEO and Founder of Project Foundry.
What separates a good conference from a bad one?
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
Could the e-sim boom spell the end of roaming fees?
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.
Breaking Out of Founders' Prison: Make the Shift and Scale Your Business
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 Sc
Bobby’s Business Roundup August 22nd
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.
The Executive Chair: William McCoglan
Joining Bobby in The Executive Chair this week is William McColgan of McColgan Quality Foods.
Industry Review: Civil Engineers
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. Ma
Upcoming Anthropic IPO
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.
Bobby's Business Roundup August 15th
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers are Declan Ralph of BWG Foods & journalist and author, Valerie Cox.
Out & About: OpenHive Honey
This week Bobby was Out & About at OpenHive Honey.
On The Pace Note
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 spo
Industry Review: Personal Stylists
From wardrobe makeovers to confidence boosts, personal styling has become a growing industry, helping people decide not just what to wear, but how they want to be seen. But what does the business of personal styling actually look like in Ireland? Who is paying for these services, and how has the industry evolved? For this week’s Industry Review, we’re looking at the world of person
Bobby's Business Roundup August 8th
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Robert Whelan, Managing Director of Rockwell, and Louisa Meehan, of Woodview HRM.
Love Irish Food with Bank of Ireland
How is the Irish food sector doing? With external threats like fuel and fertilizer costs and domestic costs going up around labour, is it a good time to be a producer? Bobby was joined by Conor Kilduff, CEO of Love Irish Food and Lucy Ryan, Head of Food & Beverage at Bank of Ireland to discuss.
Out & About: Mark Moriarty
Irish food businesses are facing higher costs on almost every front, but many are still planning to invest. Bobby travels to Wilton Terrace in Dublin, to ask Mark Moriarty why this is.
Executive Chair: Caroline Bocquel
Caroline Bocquel, Chief Executive Officer, Fáilte Ireland joins Bobby in this week's Executive Chair.
Paul Flavin's 'Build, Scale, Sell'
Now, running a business can be all-consuming, and without the right systems in place it's easy to become trapped in the day-to-day. In his new book, Build, Scale, Sell, entrepreneur Paul Flavin uses the fictional story of a business owner to explore the four pillars of building a successful company: marketing, sales, operations and finance. Paul joins Bobby to discuss.
Executive Chair: Bojana Djordjevic
Bojana Djordjevic, CEO and Director at Silver Stream Healthcare Group joins Bobby for this week's Executive Chair.
Cliff Taylor's Update on the Housing Market
The Irish economy is in a strange position - we have strong employment and rising wages, yet many people feel under increasing pressure from housing costs and the tax system.House prices continue to rise despite widespread agreement that they are unaffordable for many buyers, while the debate over whether middle-income workers are carrying too much of the tax burden is intensifying ahead of the Bu
Out & About: Paudie Murray
Bobby popped out to County Clare, to meet a 9-year-old businessman going viral for his honesty box. Bobby meets Paudie Murray, founder of Ubh by Paudie.
Bobby's Business Roundup August 1st
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Bob Hoffman, managing partner at Vista Executive Search, and Sarah Stone McDevitt, author of 'The Round Table - How Relational Intelligence Will Become Your Human Advantage in the AI Age.
Adam Kingl, Co-Author of Executive Eats
How much time should you give yourself for meals when you're working from home? What kind of food should you eat? How can food impact your performance? Adam Kingl joins bobby to discuss his new book on the subject, 'Executive Eats'.
Industry Review: Funeral Directors
It’s an industry that every one of us will encounter at some point in our lives, but one that we don’t often talk about from a business perspective. Funeral directors provide an essential service, but behind the scenes they are also running complex businesses facing changing customer expectations, rising costs and evolving traditions. For today’s Industry Review, Bobby's look
AI Gone Rogue
It’s a technophobe’s worst nightmare. A piece of technology seems to have more powers than its inventors thought, and, in modern parlance, it goes rogue. In the age of AI, the fear becomes more real. Earlier this month, a test by OpenAI seems to have done just that. It went beyond the parameters set for itself and launched a cyber attack on what it was testing. The scion of science here in Newstal
Bobby's Business Roundup July 25th
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Ronan Reid of Cantor, and Linda Daly, business reporter for the Sunday Times Ireland.
Executive Chair: Liam Kearney
Liam Kearney, CEO and co-founder of environmental engineering company The Revive Group joins Bobby in this week's Executive Chair.
Economist Austin Hughes
With the summer economic statement this week, Bobby is joined by economist Austin Hughes to make sense of Ireland's economy in the context of domestic and international matters.
Industry Review: Dietitians
This week’s Industry Review, we’ll be hearing all about the medical professionals who keep us eating well, Dietitians. We’ll ask how to tune out social media fads, what the differences are between dietitians and nutritionists, and much more. Joining Bobby are three CORU registered Dietitians: Sarah Keogh, Gabriella Cruz, and lecturer in nutrition at SE
Two Pups Cafe
Bobby goes on the road this week to visit the husband and wife team behind Two Pups Cafe in the Liberties.
Award Winning Speaker Robin Kermode
Bobby is joined by the UK's speaker of the year 2026, Robin Kermode, to discuss the value of effective communication in business.
Bobby’s Business Roundup July 18th
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Susan HayesCulleton. Presenter of Taking Stock here on Newstalk &Ciaran Hancock, Business Editor of The Irish Times.
MyWallSt’s Emmet Savage: 10 Years On
10 years ago Bobby interviewed a man called Emmet Savage, who was building a subscription service for stock recommendations. After a decade, and a few brand transformations, the company, now called MyWallSt, has finally taken off. Emmet joins Bobby to discuss.
When is too young to start working?
Did you have a summer job? Do your children currently have one? When is too young to start working or should teenagers just be given the summer off? Saoirse Hanley of the Irish independent recently did a deep dive into the area - she joins Bobby to discuss as does Sinead English a career management specialist from ‘HILT'.
Industry Review: Solar Energy
Solar power has gone from being a niche technology to one of the fastest-growing parts of Ireland’s energy landscape. But as the sector expands, there are big questions around investment, grid capacity, planning, and whether Ireland has the infrastructure needed to make the most of this renewable resource. So, to look at the future of solar in Ireland, Bobby is joined by three people working acros
Executive Chair: Diarmuid O’Brien the CEO of Research Ireland
Joining Bobby in the executive chair this week is Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO of Research Ireland.
Out & About: Steel Frames Direct Ireland
Bobby popped out to Dunboyne in Co. Meath to check out a company providing modular solutions for new builds - Steel Frames Direct Ireland.
Bobby’s Business Roundup July 11th
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Ciara McDonagh of Healy Communications & communication consultant Doug Keatinge.
How Relational Intelligence Will Become Your Human Advantage in the AI Age
Sarah Stone McDevitt was made to sit at the back of the class when she was a child in school due to her dyslexia but this experience helped her on the road to writing her book ‘The Round Table- How Relational Intelligence Will Become Your Human Advantage in the AI Age’. She joins Bobby to discuss.
Out & About at Clonmel Show 2026
As it’s agricultural show season, Bobby takes a trip to Tipperary to visit Clonmel Show 2026.
Industry Review: Food Trucks
Food trucks have become a major part of Ireland’s food scene, bringing everything from gourmet burgers and wood-fired pizza to seafood, Asian cuisine, and locally sourced produce directly to customers. But behind the popularity of the movement is a challenging business model, with rising costs, licensing issues, competition, and the ongoing struggle to find suitable locations. Today, Bob
Is the Irish economy as healthy as it seems?
Wages are rising, unemployment is relatively low, lots of people are making Ireland home, and tax receipts are buoyant thanks to our US cousins who manufacture or headquarter here. What could possibly go wrong? One person who thinks things aren’t as rosy, is economist and columnist with The Sunday Times, Cormac Lucey. He joins Bobby to discuss.
Executive Chair: Caitriona Ryan & Nicola Ralph
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Professor Nicola Ralph, Consultant Dermatologist and Co-founder of the Institute of Dermatologists, Surgical Institute Dublin and ID Formulas & Professor Caitriona Ryan, Consultant Dermatologist and Co-Founder at Institute of Dermatologists, ID formulas, and Surgical Institute Dublin and a Clinical Professor at University College Dublin.
Executive Chair: Tony Lanigan
Joining Bobby in the executive chair this week is Tony Lanigan, MD of Creative Technology Ireland.
Golf improvement and performance app - ApexGolf
ApexGolf is your personal AI coach for golf and fitness - helping you train smarter, move better, and lower your scores. Bobby speaks to its creator, Barry Moroney to find out more.
Can Andy Burnham rid England of its North-South divide?
Andy Burnham is expected to become Labour leader at a special conference on July 17th and hence the Prime Minister. One of his plans is to have a Number 10 in the North and he’s attempting what’s being called ‘ Manchesterism” that attempts to rid England of the North South divide - but is that possible? Political Economist Will Hutton joins Bobby to discuss.
Paul English on giving away profits and walking out of meetings
Paul English is a serial tech entrepreneur best known as the co-founder and former CTO of Kayak.com. He is also the author of The Meeting Book: How the Best Companies Meet Better, which outlines his strategies for cutting out wasteful corporate meetings and improving decision-making. He joins Bobby to talk about his life in business, philanthropy, and more.
Bobby’s Business Roundup July 4th
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is journalist and author, Valerie Cox & Deputy Business Editor of the Sunday Times Ireland, Jon Ihle.
Industry Review: The Stock Market
For this week’s Industry Review we look at the stock market - what it actually is, what drives it up and down, and why it matters even if you’ve never bought a share in your life. From interest rates and inflation to global tech giants and pension funds, we’ll unpack how money really moves through the system and who is making the big decisions behind the scenes. Joining Bobby to make sen
Bobby’s Business Roundup June 27th
Joining Bobby to go through the main stories from the Saturday papers is Eimear Ní Bhraonain, author of ‘The Dodger: DJ Carey and the Great Betrayal’ and owner of communications firm Eimear.ie & Claire McInerney Brown, President of Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce and export development consultant at Suas Mane consulting.
Executive Chair: Paul Young, CEO of Cartoon Saloon
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Paul Young, CEO of Cartoon Saloon.
Lincoln Skins & Anthony Smith, GM at the River Court Hotel
This week, Down to Business was coming to you live from the River Court Hotel in Kilkenny as part of Newstalk’s 2026 Summer Tour, all with thanks to ESB - Ireland’s largest EV charging network. There, we heard from local band Lincoln Skins as well as Anthony Smith, General Manager at the Kilkenny River Court Hotel to chat about how the hotel is faring in 2026, tourism numbers, and more.
Newstalk’s Summer Tour: Kilkenny Hurling Legend T.J Reid
This week, Down to Business was coming to you live from the River Court Hotel in Kilkenny as part of Newstalk’s 2026 Summer Tour, all with thanks to ESB - Ireland’s largest EV charging network. There, he had the chance to chat with Kilkenny hurling legend, T.J.Reid.
Newstalk's Summer Tour: Kilkenny local business health check
Bobby continues his chat with some of Kilkenny’s movers and shakers in the business world as part of Newstalk’s 2026 Summer Tour with Peter McCreery, Managing Director at Sherry Fitzgerald McCreery; Edward Hayden, Chef and owner of Edward Hayden School of Cookery; and Naoise Nunn, festival creator, producer, and co-director at Schweppe Curtis Nunn.
Newstalk's Summer Tour: Kilkenny tourism health check
Joining Bobby to chat about the health of local tourism in Kilkenny as part of Newstalk’s 2026 Summer Tour is Sheena Dignam, founder and owner of Kilkenny and Galway Food Tours; Colin Ahern, GM on the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel and co Chair of Kilkenny DEDP (Destination Experience Development Plan); and Anthony Morrison, owner of Christy's Bar and former chair of the Vinters Federation of Kilkenny.
Out & About: Druid Padel Kimmage
Bobby was out & about again this week at Druid Padel in Kimmage to find out why padel has become the fastest-growing sport in the world, and why it’s taking off in Ireland.
Industry Review: Garden Centres
This week’s Industry Review on Down to Business, Bobby digs into the world of the garden centre - the, "one-stop shops" behind one of the nation’s favourite pastimes.Oliver Schurmann, Owner of Mount Venus Nursery LtdBarry Doyle, CEO of ArboretumPaul Harvey, of Windyridge Garden Centre
Executive Chair: Stephen O'Malley, CEO & Co Founder of Civic
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Stephen O'Malley, CEO & Co Founder of Civic.
Brexit at 10: Counting the cost with Jonty Bloom
Next Tuesday marks 10 years since the UK voted to leave the EU. Bobby is joined by award-winning journalist and author of A History of Brexit in 256 Disasters, Jonty Bloom, to look back at the morning after the result, the immediate shock in markets, and why he wasn’t surprised by the vote.
How is Ireland’s farming sector faring?
Rising costs, higher interest rates, and continued uncertainty are putting fresh pressure on Irish farming - but what does the outlook really look like in 2026?Bobby is joined by Eoin Lowry, Head of Agri at Bank of Ireland to discuss.
Bobby's Business Roundup June 20th
Joining Bobby to go through some of the main business stories from the week is Bob Hoffman Managing Partner Vista Executive Search & Gina London Sunday Independent Columnist and Communications expert.
ECB Interest Rates Rise
The European Central Bank has raised its interest rates for the first time in almost three years.To find out more Bobby's joined by economist Jim Power.
Out & About: Sailing in Dún Laoghaire
Bobby was out & about in Dún Laoghaire, discussing a sport near and dear to his heart, sailing.
Industry Review: Electric Cars
For this weeks' Industry Review, Bobby will be taking a look at the EV market.With Ireland having set the ambitious goal of 845,000 EVs on the road by 2030, the question remains, is this possible?Joining Bobby was Conor Faughnan, Independent Motoring Expert with Carzone, Derek Reilly, General Manager at Nevo.ie, and Brian Cooke, Director General of SIMI.
Bobby's Business Roundup June 13th
Joining Bobby to go through the main business stories from the Saturday papers is Linda Daly, business reporter with the Sunday Times, and Stephen O'Leary, founder of Olytico.
Executive Chair: Ornua CEO, Conor Galvin
Bobby was joined by Conor Galvin, CEO of Ornua, in the Executive Chair this week.
Scottish Apprentice Star, Mike Soutar
With the business world changing quickly, we talk to Mike Soutar, one of Lord Sugar's trusted advisors on The Apprentice, on his new book 'Next Gen CEO'.
Hildun Beauty Founder Suzy Griffin Dunne
The founder of Hildun Beauty and winner of Arnott's Pitch 2025 competition, Suzy Griffin Dunne, joins Bobby to discuss her business.
