Foods of Athenry (The)

Farmhouse Bakery

Foods of Athenry had a very unfortunate fire last week 29th June 2011 and are out of production for a couple of weeks. They pass on their thanks to everyone who sent them good wishes and have been so helpful. We will keep you posted!

The name of this family run business, owned by Siobhan and Paul Lawless, and dreamed up by one of their young daughters, is fast becoming one of the most recognised throughout Galway City and County, and now some parts of Clare. Set among the famous rolling fields of Athenry, this farmhouse bakery prides itself on producing healthy baked goods, made with pure and natural local ingredients, love, care and absolutely no additives in sight.

It all started five years ago when Siobhan and traditional dairy farmer Paul had to consider a way of supplementing the income from their farm. Siobhan, a secretly talented baker who inherited her skills from her Grandmother, had always baked wholesome breads and cakes to feed her growing brood of five. As a young mum, she understood the importance of giving her youngsters healthy foods that contained no additives. Her baking was famed within family and friends. And so the idea was born that this would become another way of earning a crust – sorry for the bad pun! Paul had built a new row of sheds and houses for his beloved cows, and there was a bicycle shed going begging at the end of the row. Siobhan soon earmarked it for her first little bakery premises, and when kitchen conversions were complete, production began. She started small, but within a very short time, output doubled. Initially, she sold her wares at farmer’s markets in Loughrea and Oranmore, Co Galway. Now her fame has spread, the cows have long gone, and Siobhan’s bakery has taken over not just the bicycle shed, but the dairy parlour, calving pens and collection yard too. It’s all going great guns, and medal honours are starting to be bestowed thick and fast.

‘I’m not prepared to feed your children anything I wouldn’t feed my own.’, says Siobhan, who uses this ethos to create quality-baked goods with a ‘clean label’ philosophy. That means, no nasty additives, preservatives or otherwise, just top quality ingredients. The range of breads, which started with an old fashioned brown soda Siobhan always made for her kids, now includes a Spelt Soda loaf packed with seeds, and made with no yeast, wheat or sugar. Tea Brack is packed with tea plumped fruit and sweetened with apple juice. Brown Scones have lots of lovely bran and seeds. Even the cookies are decorated with smarties that have natural colours so mums can treat the kids with a clean conscience. 

Since the dairy cows went, the farm has undergone organic conversion and now grows much of the fruit, like apples and rhubarb, for Siobhan’s pies and tarts. Extra fruit comes from Quinn’s of Gort and special suppliers in Armagh. Siobhan’s customers provide great feedback as to how new ideas go down, and she is always looking to increase this stunning bakery range with more healthy options that cater for those who choose are have to follow special dietary requirements. Latest experiments include finding ways of sweetening her treats naturally, without sugar or artificial sweeteners. Carrots add sweetness to the most Carrot Muffins. And beetroot  - yes we did say beetroot - adds it’s hint of sweetness to rich Chocolate Muffin. If you’re thinking faddy food – think again – this is unbridled luxury in a hand folded bun case and we challenge you to find better anywhere!

Siobhan’s vision to supply this range at an affordable price in the mainstream market is paying off, with many stockists in Galway city and county, and a few new ones, including Dunnes Stores, in Clare. She might be a successful Master Baker now, but underneath, Siobhan Lawless is still a caring mum at heart.  Her own concerns about the wellbeing of her family inspired this top quality selection of healthy farmhouse baking. She’s more than happy to feed her own brood with these delightful artisan handmade products, and we’re absolutely certain you’ll be happy to feed yours too. Look out for the products on your travels in this part of the world. Coming soon, a visitor facility at the bakery. Oh we do love a story with the feel good factor at Good Food Ireland!

Contact Details

To Contact a Member Directly, please click on the email or website below

Oldcastle
Kilconieron
Athenry
Co Galway
+353 (0) 91 848152
Email: siobhan@foodsofathenry.ie
Web: www.foodsofathenry.ie

 

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