Siobhán Hubbard: The Positive Disruptor Driving Ireland’s Farmer-Led Abattoir Revival by Tracie Daly

I created this especialy for ACBI Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland to put in their Magazine but it is too important for me not to share it here too.

A few weeks ago, I had the great honour of sharing the stage with Siobhán Hubbard of Newbard Farm at the Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland Gala Dinner. As she spoke about her work, the room felt lifted by her energy — that rare blend of fierce determination and grounded practicality that marks all true changemakers.

I first met Siobhán last year, gathered around Darina Allen’s dining table — a fitting place for a conversation that revolved around food, farming, and the future of our food systems. It was there I got to truly understand what a powerhouse she is: a positive disruptor, a visionary, and someone whose mission is reshaping the landscape for local farmers across Ireland.

At the heart of her work is a single, urgent goal — to bring back small-scale, farmer-led abattoirs and meat processing facilities across the country. For Siobhán and the group of farmers she works with from Waterford, Cork, Tipperary, Wexford, and beyond, this isn’t just an idea — it’s a necessity born from crisis.

Siobhan's network is powerful because she is leading with honesty, integrity and ensuring Irish farming legacy doesn't die. Her vision is yielding exceptional results.

A Movement Rooted in Necessity

When their local abattoir was closed abruptly, many farmers were left stranded. The closure created impossible challenges: longer transport distances, higher costs, stressful conditions for animals, and the loss of flexibility that small producers depend on.

Rather than accept this as inevitable, Siobhán and her community began shaping a new vision — a multi-species, farmer-led abattoir and meat processing facility in the South East. One that would serve organic and conventional producers, strengthen short supply chains, and keep more value on the farm.

This initiative has become a model of what rural collaboration can achieve. Through persistent engagement and tireless networking, the group has:

• Secured Department of Agriculture funding under the Short Food Supply Chain scheme

• Undertaken research and training in HACCP and best processing practices

• Launched national surveys to gather farmer input, shaping a co-operative model

• Designed plans for a local, multi-species facility encompassing pigs, sheep, poultry, and cattle

• Built connections across farming, retail, and community sectors to reinforce the local food ecosystem

Siobhan is also involved in 2 other outstanding organizations that are building resilient food systems for Irish farmers and growers- her work is for all farmers to unite.

Their mission extends well beyond infrastructure — it’s about community, education, mental health, and regeneration. They’re engaging schools through “food as medicine” programs, linking food sovereignty with personal wellbeing, and reconnecting younger and older generations through traditional skills.

Building a Regenerative Future

The group’s vision is guided by the principles of Talamh Beo, the Land Workers’ Alliance of Ireland, and the Bioregioning SE Ireland movement — both of which emphasise connection to land, ecology, and community. Their approach recognises that farming is not just an economic act, but an act of belonging and care.

Partnerships with the Eurogroup for Animals, LEADER, Local Enterprise Offices, Sustainable Food Trust, and academic collaborations with UCC’s Co-Operative Studies Department show how this grassroots initiative is evolving into a robust model for change.

Their collective goal is clear: by December 2026, to have a functioning facility that restores control to farmers, reduces stress on animals through local processing, and ensures that rural communities can once again access fresh, traceable, Irish meat.

This is not just about reviving abattoirs; it’s about rebuilding trust — between producers, butchers, and consumers. It’s a vision where food doesn’t just travel fewer miles, but carries deeper meaning.

In a time when rural resilience is tested at every turn, Siobhán Hubbard and her fellow farmers remind us of what’s possible when community and courage come together. Their work doesn’t just feed Ireland — it feeds hope for a stronger, fairer, more connected food future.

The ripple effect of Siobhán Hubbard’s work extends well beyond the farm gate — it’s a lifeline for Ireland’s independent butchers. By re-establishing local, farmer-led abattoirs, she’s rebuilding the essential link between small producers and skilled craft butchers, ensuring a steady, high-quality, traceable supply of Irish meat. This model empowers butchers to offer provenance and freshness that industrial systems simply can’t match, strengthening local economies and preserving the heritage of Irish butchery. In championing this reconnection, Siobhán isn’t just supporting farmers; she’s safeguarding the future of independent butchers and the communities they serve.

For more about Siobhán’s work, visit newbardfarm.com/about-the-farm.

The legend- Siobhan Hubbard