Bread 41's founder emphasizes on steady, principled expansion as the key to their prolonged success.
In the heart of Dublin, on Pearse Street, lies Bread 41 - a bakery and eatery that has become a beacon for sustainable food in Ireland. Founded by Eoin Cluskey in 2018, this business is a testament to the power of craft, community, and sustainability.
Cluskey, who honed his skills in Ballymaloe and bakeries across Europe, was inspired to start Bread 41 during his travels. He saw firsthand how bread could serve as a force for connection and sustainability. When he realized that Ireland lacked a bakery rooted in these values, he decided to create Bread 41, with a mission to bring real, sustainable bread and better food systems back to the table.
Bread 41 specializes in organic, naturally fermented breads, handcrafted pastry, and locally sourced wholefoods. The company is built on sustainability, community, and craft, using organic, Irish-milled flours and long fermentation methods. Unlike conventional bakeries, Bread 41 avoids additives and embraces slow, regenerative processes.
During the pandemic, Bread 41 pivoted fast, starting online deliveries, rebuilding supply chains, and staying open for the community. The impact of Donald Trump's tariffs on Bread 41's business was minimal due to local sourcing.
Bread 41 is not just a profitable business but a values-led one. Its greatest achievement to date is building a company that prioritizes sustainability, diversity, and inclusion. Everyone's voice matters in shaping the future of the company, and these values are embedded in its culture.
The company is expanding, with plans for a new production facility and a grain mill. They are exploring values-aligned funding for these infrastructure projects. Bread 41 also upcycles waste, tests zero-waste packaging, and innovates with plant-based menus.
Eoin Cluskey's most important piece of advice to a less experienced entrepreneur is to get crystal clear on their "why". For Cluskey, it was the desire to create a sustainable, community-focused bakery that would influence public perceptions of bread, waste, and sourcing.
Bread 41 offers flexible hours, free meals, supported learning, and a culture of respect to its employees. The company is more than just a place of work; it's a community that values craft, sustainability, and the power of bread to bring people together.
[1] Source: Interview with Eoin Cluskey, Founder of Bread 41 [3] Source: Bread 41: A Sustainable Bakery in Dublin
- Eoin Cluskey, the entrepreneur behind Bread 41, found inspiration for his sustainable food venture during his travels across Europe while honing his skills.
- Bread 41, a Dublin-based bakery and eatery, specializes in organic, naturally fermented breads, handcrafted pastry, and locally sourced wholefoods.
- Rooted in sustainability, community, and craft, Bread 41 employs organic, Irish-milled flours and long fermentation methods, creating a product that avoids additives and promotes regenerative processes.
- In a response to the challenges posed by the pandemic, Bread 41 managed to pivot quickly, implementing online deliveries and rebuilding supply chains while maintaining operations for the community.
- The company's impact goes beyond the financial, focusing on building a company that prioritizes sustainability, diversity, and inclusion, where everyone's voice is valued in shaping its future.
- As Bread 41 continues to grow, the small business is exploring values-aligned funding for its planned expansion - a new production facility and a grain mill - as well as implementing upcycling, zero-waste packaging, and plant-based menus to further promote sustainable living.
- Cluskey advises novice entrepreneurs to get crystal clear on their "why," citing his personal goal of creating a sustainable, community-focused bakery that would influence public perceptions of bread, waste, and sourcing.
- Committed to its employees, Bread 41 offers flexible hours, free meals, supported learning, and fosters a culture of respect, transforming it from a regular workplace to a thriving community built on shared values of craft, sustainability, and camaraderie.
