Hubert McHugh began his professional training as a psychiatric nurse in 1975 and qualified in 1978. He spent the next 15 months working in the acute admissions unit at a hospital in Sligo. In 1980, he earned a degree in community mental health nursing from Letterkenny and Omagh and was subsequently appointed as a community mental health nurse for South Leitrim, where he served until his retirement in 2020. His work in the community was fulfilling, and he led numerous events promoting positive mental health and well-being, helping to destigmatise mental health illnesses.

In 2017, he co-founded “Leitrim’s Health Is Wealth,” a program that continues to thrive today. He was named Leitrim Person of the Year that same year. Throughout his career, Hubert also engaged in various voluntary activities, including work with the Simon Community, Leitrim Citizens Information, and school boards of management. He initiated the Men’s Shed in Killenummery and was involved in various initiatives within the parish of Killenummery and Killery. With a strong passion for palliative care, Hubert witnessed the exceptional support provided by hospices to many close friends and neighbours during their final days. As a result, he participated in numerous fundraising efforts for hospice care in both Ireland and the United States.

Hubert now resides in Drumkeeran with his wife, Christina. They have two daughters, Deirdre and Grainne, and five grandchildren: Connor, Chloe, Sean, Aaron, and Killian.