Bernard Hughes

Bernard Hughes (1808 – 1878) was a nineteenth century Irish industrialist and politician.

He was born in Co. Armagh but moved to Belfast 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, 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. 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.