Tributes are paid to founder of Brennan’s Bread bakery

TRIBUTES were made this week for Rathfarnham native Jospeh Brennan, the founder of Brennan’s Bread bakery.

Mr Brennan, known affectionately as “Old Mr Brennan” was 82-years-old.

He founded Joseph Brennan Bakeries 55 years ago in a single room in Fumbally Lane in the city centre.

The business later moved to Kimmage and then Walkinstown, where its main centre operates to this day and it is one of the largest bakeries in Ireland and remains a family-run affair.

The bakery initially served the Dublin area before later expanding nationally across the island of Ireland and its bread was also distributed overseas.

Joseph Brennan also developed other business interests, including hotels, through involvement with what has become the Melia Hotels International group.

The Brennan’s Bread bakery brand is well-known for its humorous radio advertisements and clever catchline ‘Today’s Bread Today’ which has remained synonymous over the years.

During the ‘Beast from the East’ snowstorm in 2018, Brennan’s Bread went viral on social media as people bemoaned the fact that they could not get fresh bread.

A message on RIP.ie said Mr Brennan died at home in Cabinteely and his funeral took place at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Foxrock on May 30.

He was predeceased by his wife Jean and is survived by his seven children, extended family and many friends.