Founder of Brennan’s Bread bakery dies at age of 82

The founder of the Brennan’s Bread bakery, Joseph Brennan, who was affectionately known as “Old Mr Brennan”, has died.

He was 82 years old.

Originally from Rathfarnham in Dublin, Mr Brennan founded Joseph Brennan Bakeries 55 years ago in a single room in Fumbally Lane in Dublin.

It later moved to Kimmage and then Walkinstown, where its main centre of operations are now.

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

Today it is one of the largest bakeries in Ireland.

However, the company remains family owned and run.

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 featuring the “Old Mr Brennan” character, modelled on its founder.

It also uses the catchline, “Today’s Bread Today”, as a sales pitch for the fact that it is baked fresh every morning.

During the “Beast from the East” snowstorm in 2018, which brought the country to a standstill, Brennan’s Bread went viral on social media as people bemoaned the fact that they could not get fresh bread.

Joseph Brennan died at home in Dublin earlier this week and his funeral took place yesterday.

He was predeceased by his wife Jean and is survived by his seven children.