Brendan (Barney) Hughes was born in Armagh in 1808. Starting out as a baker’s boy, he moved to Belfast at the age of 19 to continue baking.

He was born in Co. Armagh but moved to Belfast in 1826. Over a period of 40 years he built up the largest baking and milling industry in Ireland. His continuing fame is due to his development and production of cheap and wholesome bread. The most famous item was the Belfast Bap, more commonly known as Barney’s Baps. His bread is recalled in the rhyme:

Barney Hughes’ bread Sticks to your belly like lead.

His main mill was located in Divis Street in the lower Falls Road.

He was the first Catholic elected to Belfast Corporation. He campaigned against sectarianism and for social justice. He gave evidence to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sectarian riots of 1857 and 1864 which angered the Tory establishment in the city. Although he was sometimes in conflict with the Catholic church he gave land for the building of St Peter’s Cathedral in the Lower Falls area

He is buried in Friar’s Bush Graveyard - the oldest cemetery in Belfast.