The former hotelier on serving demure style and how he’s finding retirement Does Francis Brennan know Gen Z slang? A crisp white duvet, fresh new cotton pyjamas and your favourite scented candle - it’s giving demure, cutesy, mindful. And it’s all available as part of Francis Brennan the Collection with Dunnes Stores. As a man who puts emphasis on elegance himself, what is Brennan’s definition of demure, a word now ubiquitous thanks to US TikTok creator Jools Lebron? “Shy, reserved, quiet, kindly, would be my feeling for demure,” Brennan says.
“A very nice person is a demure person to me.” Brennan is mindful to keep a similarly classic style to his homewears. His latest collection for the high street chain, available now, brings us what TikTok is calling ‘unnecessary necessities’ - those luxury items that you don’t need, but they make life that much better.
New nightwear from Francis Brennan the Collection will be landing in stores in mid October “We’re back in business with nightwear for ladies, we had been out of stock for quite some time,” Brennan says of the new line, which includes sleepwear sets in pink and navy due to land in-store in mid-October. “It’s a beautiful range both in colour and white, as well as grey and white robes, which are soft to the touch and make a great his-and-hers gift. We’re continuing with double grey, white and mink for our bed linen.
” Overall, it’s a collection that aims to give you a hotel feel at a price that won’t break the bank. Brennan himself retired as a hotelier in November 2023, selling The Park Hotel Kenmare, which he owned and ran along with his brother John. Francis Brennan launches his latest homewares collection for Dunnes Stores.
Photo: Olivia Lynott “I never noted it to be stressful,” Brennan says of working in hospitality. “I was in the hotel business for 45 years, 42 of which were at Kenmare - a lifetime of experience gets you through most things.” What does he miss about being a hotelier? “Very little.
” he laughs. “I retired on November 17 and I never looked back. I help [the new owners] any way I can and answer questions when I’m needed, or if I see anything of interest I’ll pass it onto them.
I still have the industry at heart but I didn’t cry salt tears leaving the bar.” At that, Brennan hands our photographer a linen hanky to clean her lens. “You always need to have this in your pocket in the hotel business, you don’t want marks on glass!” he explains.
Demure and mindful indeed. Francis Brennan the Collection is available from selected Dunnes Stores outlets nationwide and at dunnesstores.com Join the Irish Independent WhatsApp channel Stay up to date with all the latest news.
