Our History

Discover our history starting in 2000 and how over 20 years of business we now have 4 different brands over Ireland and the UK.

2000

Bill and Patricia O’Brien bought Brady Family from Ossie and Mary Brady in 2000. With a workforce of just 18 members of staff, Brady Family produced bulk ham only available at the deli counter.

2001

After just a year in business Brady Family gained listings in Ireland’s largest supermarket chains.

2005

Brady Family launched the prepacked sliced business enjoyed by thousands of Irish families today. This made the traditional, quality taste of Brady Family available for more Irish homes to enjoy.

2006

Brady Family became the first ham brand to be the first approved member of the Bord Bia Quality Assurance Scheme. The Bord Bia Quality Assurance Mark assures produce of the highest standard, animal welfare and traceability in Ireland.

2009

Brady Family becomes available in all leading Irish retailers.

2012

Brady Family relaunches as a premium brand and launches its famous I-HAM marketing campaign.

2013

Brady Family becomes official sponsor for Kildare GAA. John O’Brien was appointed Managing Director in the latter part of 2013 when his father Bill stepped into the role of chairman.

2014

O’Brien Fine Foods becomes approved members of Origin Green. Origin Green is the world’s only national food and drink sustainability programme.

2016

O’Brien Fine Foods continues to grow each year and in 2016 the company expanded the facility with an 8,000sqm expansion at Timahoe.

2017

O’Brien Fine Foods acquires Faughan Foods and launches the Homebird brand. The first brand in Sliced Cooked Meats to use 100% Irish chicken and turkey.
Brady Family sponsors Barretstown “Big Picnic.” Barretstown offers free, specially designed camps and programmes for children and their families living with a serious illness.

2018

Brady Family becomes Number 1 in Ireland in the Prepacked Sliced Cooked Meats Category in the Checkout Top 100 Brands.

2019

O’Brien Fine Foods acquires Green Farm Fine Foods which includes Irelands #1 white meat brand, Green Farm.
O’Brien Fine Foods partners with Food Cloud as part of its mission to be more sustainable and eco conscious, combatting food waste in an effective way.

2020

Green Farm repositions as a wellness brand and launches a supporting multimedia campaign.

2021

O’Brien Fine Foods acquires Bearfields of London, as part of its mission to bring better quality food to everyone, every day. The acquisition allows O’Brien Fine Foods to enter the UK market with an established and successful business.
O’Brien Fine Foods signs up to the Carbon Disclosure Project to measure and act upon our environmental impact.

2022

O’Brien Fine Foods signs up to Science Based Carbon Reduction Targets.

2023

O’Brien Fine Foods becomes B Corp certified on its Timahoe and Rathowen sites, becoming the 16th Irish business to achieve B Corp status.

2024

A second UK factory is purchased in Leeming Bar, to continue the growth journey of the Bearfields brand.