Co-Founders of Hinterland

United by our shared values Hinterland was born from a deep dedication to a visionary goal.

Hinterland is more than a project, it's a testament to passion, collaboration, and a desire for impact.

  • Enda was born and raised in Virginia, County Cavan. He had his first kitchen job in Germany at age 17, as kitchen porter.

    Later he returned to Ireland and studied English and Sociology at NUI Maynooth. Eventually, he decided to make cooking his career. As most chefs, McEvoy travelled wide and far to learn and train and he worked in Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom before returning to Galway. Here he worked at "Nimmo's Restaurant" and "Sheridan’s on the Docks", before moving on to Noma in Denmark. He moved back to Galway to work in the new restaurant Aniar. Under his time as head chef Aniar was awarded its first Michelin star.

    He left Aniar and opened his own restaurant Loam, which was awarded a Michelin star within three months of opening.In 2021 Eán bakery and casual restaurant was opened in Galway by Enda and his wife Sinead.

    In 2022 he completed a MSc in Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security.

  • Claire is passionate about promoting social and environmental justice through her work.

    For the past 12 years, she has been working with flavours and liquids through her company America Village Apothecary. During this time, she has provided consultation services to other brands, NPD concepts, designs and distillation. She had her own Tasting Room premises in Galway city from 2017 - 2020

    Her products have been available in various outlets across Ireland as well as internationally, in stores such as at Fortnum & Mason in London.

    Before starting her own business she worked for 25 years in community work, advocacy and activism. Her activism work was focused on Human Rights and marginalised groups, as part of this work she sat on national and local government policy making committees and was a legal advocate in High court and ECHR cases.

  • Fergal Anderson is a farmer and activist who has been practicing agroecology for the past decade.

    Agroecology is an approach that focuses on producing food while working with nature and community.

    Fergal is one of the founders of Talamh Beo, a community of farmers who are committed to agroecology, food sovereignty and transformation of the food system.

    Fergal lives, owns and runs with his partner Manu, Leaf & Root Farm in Loughrea, east Co.Galway.