Our History

Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland was established in 1999 to bring together the four trade associations representing the independent butcher sector in this country. ACBI has hundreds of members across the 26 counties.

In the past there were a number of organisations representing butchers in this country, all generally focussed on one geographic area. There was the DMVA (Dublin Master Victuallers Association), IMBF ( Irish Master Butchers Federation), DMTA ( Domestic Meat Traders Association), IBA (Irish Butchers Association) and there were the Cork, Limerick and Galway Master Butchers.

There have also been several attempts at a Q (for quality) Guild. With the establishment of ACBI in September 1999 this country now has a national voice for CraftButchers. Starting with 100 members the ACBI has gone from strength to strength.

Liam Handy, who is now Field Officer with ACBI, was the last president of the DMVA, so that link with previous organisations is maintained. Sean Buckley, who was the first president of ACBI, had previously been president of the DMVA.

Members of the previous organisations have played a role in the formation and direction of ACBI and still take a keen interest in developments.