Some time ago the fires of the communal village ovens used to roar as village folk would sit and wait for their loaves to rise, for the crust to form and crackle and burst. The communal ovens are long gone but we want to bring the joys of real bread back. It is a skill that is being lost and we want to reignite it.
At Firehouse Bakery each loaf is hand crafted. We refuse to use additives or preservatives, therefore our bread will never contain improvers, processing aids or any other nasty chemicals. Using extended proving times this is real bread, the healthier tastier alternative.
Throughout the day and night our bakers and chefs work to turn out sweet and savoury treats. Whether it be a crusty sourdough, enriched yeasted dough or indulgent pastry we are sure to find something to tempt you.
On your next visit to Wicklow come by and say hello, pick yourself up a loaf or simply sit back and enjoy one of our beautiful stone baked pizzas or if you find yourself in West Cork we might even get to bake together on one of our one day bread making courses on Heir island.
About Patrick Ryan
After completing a degree in corporate law at NUI Galway, and a summer working in Greece I opted to exchange law books for chef knives and undertook a 2 year course in professional cookery at GMIT. Having completed my training under the guidance of Michelin starred chef Kevin Thornton at Thornton’s Restaurant in Dublin I spent a year travelling the world during which time I worked in Sydney Australia.
Whilst on my travels through Fiji my path crossed with Duncan Glendinning which after some wining and dining on my return home I decided to move to Bath, where I spent 4 years as head baker helping to set up The Thoughtful Bread Companyand to establish it as an award winning artisan bakery.
Before leaving Bath I starred in the BBC2 programme “the big bread experiment” produced by KEO films – A three-part series following a unique social experiment with one ambition – to reunite a community through bread.
I published my first book “bread Revolution” in 2012 co written with Duncan Glendinning, which aims to reintroduce people to the wonderful word of real bread and to get people baking again. Bread Revolution has been translated into both Dutch and Italian.
The decision to return home was an easy open. Since opening our bread school on Heir Island in 2012 both myself and Laura have been overwhelmed by the amazing response. Through the Firehouse we get to share our love for food and real bread with you. At the bakery you will get to taste it and at the bread school side by side we will make it and where better than on one of West Corks most beautiful islands Heir Island. At the Firehouse in Delgany we want to be more than just a bakery. We want to be part of the community, a place were people come to meet, catch up and have a laugh and hopefully buy the odd loaf or two . On Heir island we want to offer an experience and an adventure. A West Cork Island, a wood burning clay oven and the opportunity to learn a skill for life.
In 2015 myself and some fellow like minded bakers became the founding members of Real bread Ireland. Over the last few years it has been amazing is see the interest and passion for real bread spread throughout the country. Recently I was chosen as one of Failte Ireland’s new food champions, something which I am very proud of.
I believe we have been lucky to have seen the bakery and the bread school grow from strength to strength and what lies ahead certainly promises to be an adventure. All of this however I could not do without the constant support of my wife Laura Moore who provides a much needed touch of beauty to the Firehouse Team.
About Laura Moore
Born in Cork and raised in Galway, Heir Island was always part of my child hood, with many a summer spent on it’s sandy beaches. About 10 years ago it became our permanent home.
Never far from Galway I studied in G.M.I.T and graduated with an honours Degree in Hotel and Catering Management and have since worked throughout Ireland, Scotland and Australia.
During my time in Bath with Patrick, I worked at Michael Caine’s Michelin starred Priory Hotel.
But my love for food was really cemented working as the General Manager of Demuths Restaurant. Working along side head chef Rich Buckley was truly an education. His dishes never ceased to amaze me, stunning food. Something I cant wait to share with you at The Firehouse.
The opportunity to move home and share our passion for food in all its forms was and still is an exciting one. I love the idea of being able to share my “home” on Heir Island with you as part of our one day bread making courses. But if you can’t make it to West Cork make sure you come see us in Delgany, County Wicklow