Friendly Farmer’s Food Award

Galway’s Friendly Farmer lived up to his name when he was announced as one of the big winners at the annual Irish Food Writers’ Guild Food Awards this week.

Ronan Byrne from Athenry was one of just seven winners at the awards ceremony, designed to celebrate Ireland’s leading food producers.

Since establishing himself in 2007 as ‘The Friendly Farmer’, Ronan Byrne has shown that there is a strong local demand for high-quality Irish chicken from both chefs and consumers alike.

Ronan studied Agri-business and Marketing, worked in finance, marketing and promotions and managed a large dairy farm in Poland. Ronan returned to Athenry determined to find a way to make a sustainable, full-time living out of his family’s small mixed farm.

He now produces 115 Hubbard chickens a week using a grass-based system that ensures easy outdoor access for the flock.

He also rears free-range pigs, beef cattle and other seasonal poultry, such as turkeys, geese and ducks.