02/08/2026
A very big thank you to the Leinster Leader / Kildare Live for the very kind words.
words by Senan Hogan
The journey into baking wasn’t part of a long-laid plan - it was something that unfolded naturally, thousands of miles from home, and grew into a thriving business rooted in passion, family and community.
Today, she is the driving force behind First Batch Bakery, a much-loved artisan bakery tucked away in the picturesque village of Aughrim.
But her story begins in the snowy mountains of Whistler, where she and her husband John had planned to spend just one ski season.
“We went for a short season but ended up staying for 12 years,” she recalls. It was there, in a small local bakery, that everything changed. Initially volunteering to learn the basics, the couple were instead offered jobs - and quickly immersed themselves in the world of baking. “Scooping cookies and making coffees,” she says, smiling. “I learned everything from that little bakery - not just how to bake, but how to truly enjoy food and share that joy.”
That sense of joy still defines her work today. After more than a decade abroad - and now with two young children - the family returned to Ireland in search of a new chapter. Trading mountain views for rolling green hills, they settled in Wicklow and opened their own bakery.
In just two years, First Batch Bakery has flourished. Niamh and her team now trade regularly at bustling farmers markets, including those in Maynooth, Marlay Park and Bushy Park building a loyal following for their indulgent bakes and warm, welcoming presence. They have even transformed a vintage Japanese Hijet truck into the “Batch Mobile” - a charming coffee truck available for private events.