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The Business

RTÉ Radio 1www.rte.ie
A weekly look at the world of business and personal finance with Richard Curran. Listen live Saturday at 10am on RTÉ Radio 1.
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Episodes

Sleeping On The Job

With all the tariff turmoil in the air, you'd be forgiven for feeling a little drowsy, which brings us to the noble art of the afternoon nap. A little lie-down, a strategic snooze — call it what you like. Louise Campbell now considers the lure of the sneaky siesta.

Jul 12, 20254 min

Trump, Tariffs, and the Transatlantic Tango

With surprise moves on Canada and Brazil, a wobbling dollar, and fresh pressure on EU-US relations, where does it all leave Ireland? Patrick Honohan, Honorary Professor of Economics at Trinity College Dublin joins the programme to look at what’s been happening and where it might all be heading.

Jul 12, 20257 min

Is Ireland Still a Green Gem for American Tourists?

Amid tariff talk and rising costs, is Ireland still a draw for overseas visitors? Americans in particular. To get an idea of what’s happening on the ground, Sean Lally, co-owner Hotel Woodstock in Ennis and Eoghan O’Mara Walsh join us on the programme.

Jul 12, 20258 min

Strange Hotel Requests

Let's take a peek behind the hotel reception desk. Siofra Mulqueen explores some of the bold and brilliantly odd requests that have had hospitality hosts doing a double take.

Jul 12, 20259 min

From Tribal Living to Taylor Swift: Creating Holidays for the Rich and Famous

Did you ever wonder how the fabulously wealthy spend their holidays? The answer involves private castles, helicopters on standby, lavish surprises and perfectly planned little details. Siobhan Byrne of Adams and Butler runs a luxury travel agency that’s rolled out the red carpet for the likes of Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian.

Jul 12, 202525 min

Pampering Pooches

With summer holidays in full swing, some have the bags and the dog in the boot for the ferry trip to France. For those staying at home, it seems that Irish hotels are upping their game in welcoming our furry friends. Dog love rand travel writer Rosalyn Dee has the scoop.

Jul 05, 20255 min

Is More Expected from Female Leaders?

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, was pictured crying at Prime Minister's Question Time. Commentators called her "unprofessional and wrong." This level of criticism begs the question - are we tougher on female leaders? Professor Brendan Kelly of Trinity College Dublin and Mary McAuliffe, Director of Gender Studies at UCD join the program

Jul 05, 202510 min

Are Dating Apps Dead?

The woman behind the dating app Bumble declared this week that dating apps are "feeling like a thing of the past." Is she right? If so, why? Elaine Burke of the For Tech Sake podcast joins the program to discuss.

Jul 05, 20258 min

Dolan's Dynasty

Dolan's of Limerick is marking 30 years of doing business on the docks of Limerick. Mick Dolan and Neil Dolan join the program.

Jul 05, 202520 min

Trump's Big Beautiful Bill

What does the "big beautiful bill" mean for America in terms of their national debt, for billionaires, those on the breadline and the consequences for Ireland? Tony Foley, Associate Professor Emeritus of Economics at DCU Business School and Journalist Marion McKeone join to discuss.

Jul 05, 202510 min

Working on a Super Yacht

What is it like to work on yachts of the super rich? That was Paul McVeigh’s life before he set up two Dublin restaurants Featherblade and Mister S. We caught up with him to hear all about it.

Jun 28, 20256 min

Bezos Billions

Lauren Sanchez Bezos debuted her wedding gown on the magazine’s front cover, revealing how the top 1% do weddings. With $2 million being spent on the wine and champagne alone, how does this level of wealth translate to everyday terms? Consumer journalist Siobhán Maguire joins us to discuss.

Jun 28, 20256 min

Anna Wintour

After nearly four decades at the helm, Dame Anna Wintour has stepped down as Editor-In-Chief of Vogue magazine. What was it like to work for the formidable editor and what does her stepping down mean for the industry? Jane McDonnell, Co-Founder and publisher of The Gloss magazine joins us to discuss.

Jun 28, 20258 min

An Influential Marriage of Media, Music and Therapy

As Pride celebrations take place all over the country, our next guests are a young, soon to be married, gay couple who both run their own businesses. Rob Kenny of Rob Kenny PR and Dr. Shane Cassidy, Music therapist, join us today.

Jun 28, 202520 min

The F Word

Donald Trump caused jaws to drop when used the “F word” in an interview on the White House lawn. Was it a case of his inner dialogue bursting out, is it ever appropriate to use such language. Comedian Anne Gildea has been giving it some thought.

Jun 28, 20255 min

Military Money

After a summit tailor made for President Donald Trump, NATO members (except for Spain) agreed to an historic ramping up of their defence spending. Dan O’Brien, Chief Economist at the Institute of International and European Affairs and columnist with The Currency joins us on the programme.

Jun 28, 20259 min

99 Reasons to Love Summer

Siofra Mulqueen scoops the world of ice cream and discovers 99 reasons to love summer.

Jun 21, 202510 min

The Rocky Road of EU-China Relations

This week, the EU pulled the plug on its annual trade talks with China. Tensions are flaring over tariffs on electric vehicles, restrictions on rare-earth exports and China’s pushback on European goods. What’s behind all of this, and what does it mean for Europe? Andy Bounds, EU Correspondent with the Financial Times joins to discuss.

Jun 21, 20257 min

The Price of Wealth

This week’s Euromillions draw with a prize fund of a quarter of a billion euro made headlines and sparked big questions. Who bought the winning Cork ticket? What would you do if that kind of fortune came your way? Professor of Psychiatry Brendan Kelly now considers the price of wealth and the impact of suddenly striking it rich.

Jun 21, 20254 min

The Dubliner with a Gift for Reinvention

Starting out as an apprentice, Joseph Birchell of gifts.ie, ventured abroad, trying his hand at a variety of roles, eventually sparking a business that bloomed from spare-time effort to full time success.

Jun 21, 202519 min

Ireland’s Greatest Rock 'n Roll Legend!

A 1981 Thin Lizzy performance marked the beginning of Slane Castle’s rise as a world-renowned music venue. The driving force behind it all was the visionary aristocrat and entrepreneur, Lord Henry Mountcharles, who passed away this week. Harry Crosbie and Niall Stokes, editor of Hot Press join the program to discuss.

Jun 21, 202513 min

Daydream Believers

Sometimes you might feel the need to tune out of all the world events. A spot of daydreaming could be just what you need. It may seem quaint to get lost in thought, but it can have surprisingly positive benefits. Aidan Fitzmaurice gets lost in a daydream.

Jun 14, 20254 min

Israel's War Manoeuvres

Will the unrest in the Middle East further force European Countries to increase their military capabilities? Dr. Patrick Bury, Senior Associate Professor in Security in the Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies at the University of Bath joins us to discuss.

Jun 14, 20257 min

Dealing With Pressure

How do people working in tense, detail oriented, stressful jobs cope under pressure? Siofra Mulqueen finds out.

Jun 14, 202510 min

Sailing The High Seas

A County Wicklow woman is preparing for a massive 3,500-nautical-mile solo transatlantic race, while also running her business, Ripple Racing. Pamela Lee joins us on the programme.

Jun 14, 202522 min

War In The Middle East

News broke overnight that Iran launched scores of missiles on Israel in response to Israel’s series of well orchestrated coordinated attacks on Iran on Thursday night. Dr. Brendan Flynn, Head of Discipline Political Science at the School of Political Science and Sociology, University of Galway joins us on the programme to discuss.

Jun 14, 20258 min

The Art of Creating Characters

Is it difficult to create a whole new character on page or on the screen? What goes into creating goodies and baddies. Siofra Mulqueen has been finding out.

Jun 07, 202511 min

Who Owns The Data in Our Brains?

Who owns the data from our brains? Ruth Freeman of Research Ireland joins to discuss how new technology could impact our neurorights.

Jun 07, 20257 min

A Zig and Zag World

Ronan McCabe left the world of accounting to join Zig and Zig for twenty years. He has since moved into the world of more well behaved cartoon characters as CEO of Animation Ireland.

Jun 07, 202515 min

How Much Debt Can The US Handle?

Is Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a “disgusting abomination,” and a “debt slavery bill?” David McWilliams, author of “Money: a story of Humanity,” which was named the FTs Economics book of the year, joins the programme to discuss.

Jun 07, 202510 min
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