Bernard Hughes (18081878) was a nineteenth century

Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...

industrialist and politician. He was born in Co. Armagh but moved to

Belfast Belfast ( , ; from ga, Béal Feirste , meaning 'mouth of the sand-bank ford') is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan on the east coast. It is the 12th-largest city in the United Kingdom ...

in 1826. Hughes set up his bakery in 1840 and by 1870 he had 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 Belfast ( , ; from ga, Béal Feirste , meaning 'mouth of the sand-bank ford') is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, standing on the banks of the River Lagan on the east coast. It is the 12th-largest city in the United Kingdom ...

'', more commonly known as ''Barney's Baps''. His bread is recalled in the rhyme: :''Barney Hughes' bread'' :''Sticks to your belly like lead.'' :''Not a bit of wonder'' :''You fart like thunder'' :''Barney Hughes' bread.'' The rhyme was inspired by the consequences of the use of beans and peas in the recipe to keep the price of the bread low. His main mill was located in Divis Street in the lower Falls Road. He was the first Catholic elected to

Belfast Corporation Belfast City Council ( ga, Comhairle Cathrach Bhéal Feirste) is the local authority with responsibility for part of the city of Belfast, the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland. The Council serves an estimated population of (), the l ...

. 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.

References

Businesspeople from Belfast Members of Belfast City Council Businesspeople from County Armagh 1808 births 1878 deaths 19th-century Irish philanthropists 19th-century Irish businesspeople {{Ireland-politician-stub