Loyal customers, dedicated staff and a strong work ethic passed down through generations are the key ingredients in making O’Connor’s Bakery a sweet success, says Ann Marie O’Connor, daughter of the original founders Pat and Mary, as the Clare institution celebrates 65 years in business.
Established in 1961 at its original Parnell Street location in Ennis, O’Connor’s Bakery has now grown to eight shops across Clare, Limerick and Galway and is renowned for its premium quality confectionery and friendly service.
Recalling the early days, Ann Marie explained that her parents met in Kilkee before her father secured a job at Shannon Airport.
“After they got married, they were in Limerick for about a year while they looked for a place to open their business,” she explained.
“Dad kept his job in Shannon for a few years after the business opened. He baked at night, went to work, and then baked again when he came home,” Ann Marie reflected.
The bakery originally operated with a turf oven, producing a small range of traditional products including bread, tarts and shortbread.
“It was a small, simple beginning,” Ann Marie recalled, adding that family members played an important role from the outset.
“My mother’s uncle helped make the trays to put products on in the shop. Family was always a big part of it, and even my father’s brothers helped in the bakery at the time,” Ann Marie continued.
From this humble beginning on Parnell Street, the business expanded to O’Connell Street before eventually growing to eight shops.
While the business has grown significantly, one thing that has remained central to O’Connor’s is its strong connection with customers.
“There are a lot of characters who come in, and many don’t just come for the bread; they come for the chat as much as anything else. That is what makes us different from supermarkets and bigger stores. It is on par with the product,” said Ann Marie.
The bakery also continues to produce a number of traditional products that have been enjoyed by generations of customers and remain an important part of its heritage.
However, Ann Marie emphasises that while the business is proud of its history and traditions, it is equally focused on moving forward, embracing new ideas and adapting to the changing needs of its customers.
“You must try to change and bring out new products as tastes change or as new trends come on the market. If there’s an interest in something, you try it,” she explained.
The bakery’s dedicated staff have also played a major role in its longevity, with some employees having been with the company for more than four decades.
“We have some amazing people and the key to our success is our staff. Without them, we wouldn’t have a business. It’s not about any one person,” Ann Marie outlined.
Looking ahead, Ann Marie says the focus remains firmly on maintaining the high standards that have been at the heart of the bakery’s success for more than six decades.
At the same time, the company continues to invest in its future, having recently revamped its Gort shop and offering an online click-and-collect service.
Designed with busy families in mind, the service offers customers a more convenient and flexible way to order, helping them save time while still enjoying the bakery’s much-loved products.
