Meet The Supplier: Irwin's Bakery
The best experiences begin with the best ingredients, baked with care, crafted with pride, and delivered with integrity. That’s why we’re delighted to shine a light on one of our valued suppliers: Irwin’s Bakery, Northern Ireland’s largest independent bakery.
Rooted in Portadown, County Armagh, Irwin’s has been baking for over 100 years. Established in 1912, this family-run business is now in its fourth generation, blending heritage recipes with modern techniques to bring fresh, flavourful bread and baked goods to homes and restaurants across the country. Irwin’s is best known for its Nutty Krust batch bread – a true Northern Irish icon – along with its famous soda farls, wheaten bread, and a wide range of products that have been family favourites for generations. Each loaf is carefully baked using traditional methods that give Irwin’s bread its distinctive flavour, texture, and character.
At Hastings Hotels, you’ll find Irwin’s breads featured throughout our breakfast and dining menus, from a perfectly toasted slice with locally churned butter to traditional Ulster Fry accompaniments, or as the base for hearty sandwiches filled with other local ingredients. At the heart of Irwin’s success is a deep commitment to quality, innovation, and community. The bakery works closely with local suppliers, ensuring that as many ingredients as possible are sourced from Northern Ireland. Their dedication to freshness means that products are baked overnight and delivered daily, guaranteeing guests enjoy bread at its very best.
Recently, our chefs had the opportunity to visit Irwin’s production site in Portadown. They saw first-hand the passion and precision that goes into every loaf: the careful selection of ingredients, the batch baking process and the state-of-the-art systems that ensure quality and consistency at scale. The visit gave our team an even deeper appreciation for the craft, and people, behind every slice we serve. Sustainability also plays an important role in Irwin’s operations. The bakery has invested in energy-efficient systems, waste reduction measures, and environmentally conscious packaging, demonstrating a commitment not only to great taste but also to the future of the planet.
The story of Irwin’s revels in family values, local heritage, and a passion for nourishing communities. By supporting Irwin’s, we’re proud to offer our guests the highest quality baked goods and celebrate a company that represents the very best of Northern Irish tradition, and to share with our guests the taste of a bakery that has been part of Northern Ireland’s story for over a century.
