Francis Brennan (hotelier) explained

Francis Brennan
Birth Date:1953 9, df=y
Birth Place:Dublin, Ireland
Nationality:Irish
Known For:At Your Service, Stars Go Racing, Francis Brennan's Grand Tour
Occupation:Hotelier, television personality

Francis Brennan is an Irish television personality and former hotelier.

Personal life

Brennan 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

Hotelier

Brennan 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. The brothers sold the hotel along with another hotel in the town of Kenmare in 2023. [2]

Television

Brennan 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. Francis is known for his meticulous attention to detail.[3] The brothers appeared together as guests on Tubridy Tonight in October 2008 and on The Saturday Night Show in January 2011.[4] [5]

Brennan has since made other television appearances separately from his brother. He appeared in Stars Go Racing in 2011.[6] 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.[7] [8] 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[9] 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.[10]

Writing

During 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

Television

TitleYearNotes
At Your Service2008-present12 series
Stars Go Racing20116 episodes
Francis Brennan's Grand Tour2011-20184 series
Francis Brennan - All Hands On Deck20193 part series

Bibliography

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

Notes and References

  1. News: Lynch. Donal. Hotelier Francis Brennan opens up on celibacy, gambling and his bad deals. 15 July 2016. Irish Independent. 27 September 2015.
  2. News: Kelleher. Sinead. Kerry hotelier Francis Brennan confirms sale of Park Hotel – 'I'm happy it is in good hands'. 6 March 2024. Irish Independent. 16 November 2023.
  3. News: Brennan brothers 'at your service' here in Donegal! . 23 January 2012 . 2012-01-23 . Donegal Democrat . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150301190417/http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/news/donegal-news/brennan-brothers-at-your-service-here-in-donegal-1-3447600 . 1 March 2015 .
  4. News: Tubridy outgrows RTÉ's dull guests . https://archive.today/20120801064418/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/tubridy-outgrows-rtes-dull-guests-1503841.html . dead . 1 August 2012 . 20 October 2008 . 2012-01-23 . Evening Herald . Independent News & Media .
  5. News: Henson among O'Connor's guests . 15 January 2011 . 2012-01-23 . RTÉ Ten . Raidió Teilifís Éireann . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110118062424/http://www.rte.ie/ten/2011/0115/thesaturdaynightshow.html . 18 January 2011 .
  6. News: Waddell Media Embark on 'Francis Brennan's Grand Tour'. 22 August 2011. 2012-01-23. Irish Film and Television Network. IFTN.
  7. News: Actually, Brennan's tour wasn't grand. 19 November 2011. 2012-01-23. John. Boland. Irish Independent. Independent News & Media.
  8. News: Join Francis Brennan on European tour. 16 May 2011. 2012-01-23. RTÉ Ten. Raidió Teilifís Éireann.
  9. News: Francis Brennan's Grand Tour. 2016-07-25. RTE.
  10. News: Waking Hours: Francis Brennan. 12 October 2008. 2012-01-23. Sunday Independent. Independent News & Media.
  11. Web site: IMAGE Book Club: Read an extract from 'The Homekeeper's Diary 2023' by Francis Brennans. 2022-09-19. 2023-02-08.
  12. Web site: Irish hotelier and beloved television personality Francis Brennan talks to us about distilling a wealth of knowledge into a book. 2022-09-24. 2023-02-08.