Meet Michael and Dermot Walsh, third generation bakers of the Walsh family. The Walsh family started their own bakery almost thirty years ago. Situated on Mount Sion Avenue, Waterford City.

The real Walsh’s Bakehouse story begins with their grandfather, Patrick Walsh. Patrick’s own father died when he was young, but because he was the eldest in the family at that time, he went out to work as soon as he left national school.

During his career, Patrick became head baker of Bolands Mills in Dublin, and after his marriage worked in Waterford as foreman in Smith’s Bakery of George Street and at O’Brien’s Model Bakeries. As an Army Reserve, Patrick was called up at the breakout of World War One in 1914. He rejoined his old regiment on the front lines in France, coming close to death several times.

Patrick survived being a Prisoner of War for four years in Gressen, Germany, and was decorated with war and field medals at the end of the war. When he returned home, he had enough money behind him to start his own bakery on the Mayor’s in Waterford before moving to Ballybricken in 1928. Eventually, he went into the milling business in his home town of Kilmacow, where he had one of the largest water wheel mills in Ireland. Patrick made flour and oatmeal for the baking trade.

Patrick Walsh was a Master Baker – and always a soldier at heart. We fondly remember him saying ‘Old soldiers never die, they only fade away.’ Our grandfather had a long and healthy life”.

His legacy was carried on by sons Richard and Arthur, at their premises at Ballybricken. Here, they continued the great traditions laid down by their father at P. Walsh & Co.Bakers and Confectioners. Another son, Paddy, and two daughters, Stasia and Mary continued to develop and expand the Walsh family bakery, until Richard retired, followed some years later by Arthur.

We inherited the family commitment to doing things right. At Walsh’s Bakehouse, we strive for excellence in baking traditional breads and are proud to be one of the makers of the Waterford Blaa (PGI), one of Ireland’s protected foods.