Francis Brennan is an Irish television personality and former hotelier.
Francis Brennan | |
|---|---|
| Born | 24 September 1953 |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Occupation(s) | Hotelier, television personality |
| Known for | At Your Service, Stars Go Racing, Francis Brennan's Grand Tour |
| Website | francisbrennan |
Personal life
editBrennan was raised in Balally Drive, just off Sandyford Road and close to Dundrum, Dublin. He went to Holy Cross National School, Dundrum, CBS Westland Row and Catholic University School (CUS) in Leeson Street where he was taught by the Marist Fathers. Brennan has never married or had children, and has described himself as being on the asexual spectrum.[1]
Career
editHotelier
editBrennan acquired the five-star Park Hotel in Kenmare in the 1980's and owned it until 2023. He ran the hotel with his brother John.[2] The brothers sold the hotel along with another hotel in the town of Kenmare in 2023. [3]
Television
editBrennan rose to fame in Ireland in 2008 after starring in RTÉ series At Your Service with his younger brother John, in which the Brennans provided advice to the owners of struggling businesses in the hospitality sector.[2] Francis is known for his meticulous attention to detail.[4] The brothers appeared together as guests on Tubridy Tonight in October 2008 and on The Saturday Night Show in January 2011.[5][6]
Brennan has since made other television appearances separately from his brother. He appeared in Stars Go Racing in 2011.[7] In 2011, he starred in his own TV show called Francis Brennan's Grand Tour, the premise of which saw Brennan flamboyantly escort 16 paying holidaymakers on a tour of the European continent.[8][9] A further series of Francis Brennan's Grand Tour was broadcast in July and August 2016, this time taking 12 paying holidaymakers on a tour of India's Golden Triangle, followed by a third series in 2017 with a trip to Vietnam[10] Despite his high profile on television screens, he has admitted to never watching television himself. He is a devout Roman Catholic and has a set of rosary beads given to him by Pope John Paul II.[2]
Writing
editDuring September 2022, Brennan announced the release of his book "The Homekeeper’s Diary 2023". The book, based on inspiring readers to remodel their homes, advice on cleaning, gardening, cooking, foraging and other aspects of household living.[11][12] Brennan has released a number of other books.
Filmography
editTelevision
edit| Title | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| At Your Service | 2008-present | 13 series |
| Stars Go Racing | 2011 | 6 episodes |
| Francis Brennan's Grand Tour | 2011-2018 | 4 series |
| Francis Brennan - All Hands On Deck | 2019 | 3 part series |
Bibliography
edit| Book | Year |
|---|---|
| It's The Little Things: Francis Brennan’s Guide to Life | 2014 |
| Counting My Blessings: Francis Brennan’s Guide to Happiness | 2015 |
| Francis Brennan's Book of Household Management: How to Create a Happy Home | 2017 |
| A Gentleman Abroad: Francis Brennan’s Travel Tales | 2018 |
| The Homekeeper's Diary 2021 | 2020 |
| The Homekeeper's Diary 2022 | 2021 |
| The Homekeeper's Diary 2023 | 2022 |
| Age is Just a Number | 2023 |
References
edit- ^ Lynch, Donal (27 September 2015). "Hotelier Francis Brennan opens up on celibacy, gambling and his bad deals". Irish Independent. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
- ^ a b c "Waking Hours: Francis Brennan". Sunday Independent. Independent News & Media. 12 October 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- ^ Kelleher, Sinead (16 November 2023). "Kerry hotelier Francis Brennan confirms sale of Park Hotel – 'I'm happy it is in good hands'". Irish Independent. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
- ^ "Brennan brothers 'at your service' here in Donegal!". Donegal Democrat. 23 January 2012. Archived from the original on 1 March 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- ^ "Tubridy outgrows RTÉ's dull guests". Evening Herald. Independent News & Media. 20 October 2008. Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- ^ "Henson among O'Connor's guests". RTÉ Ten. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 15 January 2011. Archived from the original on 18 January 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- ^ "Waddell Media Embark on 'Francis Brennan's Grand Tour'". Irish Film and Television Network. IFTN. 22 August 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- ^ Boland, John (19 November 2011). "Actually, Brennan's tour wasn't grand". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- ^ "Join Francis Brennan on European tour". RTÉ Ten. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 16 May 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2012.
- ^ "Francis Brennan's Grand Tour". RTE. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
- ^ "IMAGE Book Club: Read an extract from 'The Homekeeper's Diary 2023' by Francis Brennans". 19 September 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
- ^ "Irish hotelier and beloved television personality Francis Brennan talks to us about distilling a wealth of knowledge into a book". 24 September 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2023.