From Athenry to Every Kitchen: Our Family Story and Simply Better
For many people, the name Athenry instantly brings to mind Pete St. John’s timeless ballad, “The Fields of Athenry.” Since 1979, the song has echoed through stadiums and gatherings across Ireland and beyond — a piece of our heritage carried proudly around the world.
But today, Athenry is known for more than a song. It’s also home to The Foods of Athenry — our family bakery rooted in the same fields, stories, and community spirit that inspired the famous tune.
Where Our Name Came From
When Siobhán and Paul Lawless began their journey in the early 2000s, they needed a name for their new food business. After a long evening of brainstorming (and a few glasses of wine), inspiration arrived from an unlikely source, their young daughter Meadhbh, who suddenly suggested:
“Why don’t you call it The Foods of Athenry?”
And just like that, our brand was born.
A Family Business Built From Scratch
Like many great stories, ours started small: first in the kitchen, then in the bike shed, and eventually in the old milking parlour. By 2004, we took the leap from dairy farming to baking full-time, crafting baked goods from scratch using Siobhán’s original recipes.
Everything we made was guided by three principles that still define us today:
• Quality Irish ingredients
• Creativity and care in every recipe
• Supporting local wherever possible
These values made our products uniquely ours and hard to copy.
Growing Through Challenges
As customers began asking for gluten-free and vegan options, we expanded, building a dedicated gluten-free bakery. But just before launching our first gluten-free biscuit, disaster struck: a fire destroyed the facility in 2011.
It was a devastating moment, but also a turning point. In true west-of-Ireland fashion, we rebuilt, strengthened, and kept going. Today, we proudly operate two bakeries, one for traditional baking and one exclusively ‘Free-From’ dedicated to gluten-free with dairy free and/or vegan options available.
The Simply Better Chapter
Our partnership with Dunnes Stores’ Simply Better range began shortly after that difficult period. After sweeping the Blas na hÉireann awards, Siobhán was approached to create products for Simply Better — starting with granola in 2013.
In 2018, we expanded that relationship again, bringing our handmade mince pies to Dunnes Stores nationwide. It has been a privilege to craft products that customers trust, under a brand we genuinely admire as shoppers ourselves.
The Next Generation
Having grown up in the business (often spending weekends at food shows rather than playgrounds) daughters Meadhbh and Gráinne have now taken on key roles. Meadhbh leads our creative direction, while Gráinne oversees operations and production. Their experiences out in the world bring fresh energy and ideas back home to Athenry.
Irish Ingredients, Irish Roots
Being part of a farming family, we know how important it is to support local producers. We source Irish ingredients wherever possible, not because it’s easier, but because it’s right. The fields around us, the farmers we know, and the heritage we carry all guide the choices we make.
Still Baking, Still Believing, Still Proudly From Athenry
From a kitchen table to a national brand, our story has been shaped by resilience, creativity, family — and a strong sense of place. Athenry is woven through everything we do, from the name on our packaging to the care in every recipe.
As we continue baking for families across Ireland (and sometimes further afield), we hope our products bring a little warmth from our home to yours — along with a reminder that these fields of Athenry are still very much alive with community, craft, and good food.
