A bag of mini Mars bars, a two-litre bottle of Dunnes’ own-brand cola and a six-pack of Taytos. That was our family treat after the Friday shop in Dunnes.
It was supposed to be the family’s sweets and treats for the week. They would be gone by Saturday night!
Dunnes Stores has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. We did our weekly grocery shop there when I was a child, and I went so often that I felt I knew every product on the shelves.
My shopping habits have changed a bit since then, but I still love going in to Dunnes. These days, it might be to pick up my family a treat, browse the clothes or have a little stroll through the homeware.
Recently, I went to the celebration of Francis Brennan’s ten years with Dunnes Stores in Knocknacarra, Galway. It was a fabulous day and a lovely opportunity to see how much his collection has grown.
The Family Non-Negotiables
I’m a savvy shopper now, and I shop between supermarkets. I look at what suits our family and where I can get value.
But there are certain branded products that I call our “non-negotiables”. Every family has its own version: the things people want you to buy again, regardless of what else is on the shelf.
I love using my Dunnes €5 off €25 and €10 off €50 vouchers to buy those regular favourites. The Shop & Save vouchers have qualifying spend requirements, validity dates and exclusions, so check the conditions on yours before shopping. (Dunnes Stores voucher FAQs)
For me, the useful comparison is what the things on my list will cost after any valid voucher. It is a way to plan around what we need, rather than a reason to fill the trolley with extras.
If you are browsing online, the €10 off €50 grocery vouchers do not apply to the Dunnes Fashion & Home website. (Dunnes Stores)
Francis Brennan, a Familiar Face
I used to watch Francis Brennan on RTÉ’s At Your Service, the programme in which he and his brother John help hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs. His television work also includes Francis Brennan’s Grand Tour. (RTÉ: At Your Service; RTÉ: Francis Brennan’s Grand Tour)
With his background as a hotelier, I can see the connection between his work in hospitality and a collection built around the home. Bed linen, dressing gowns and tableware all contribute to how comfortable and welcoming a place feels.
Francis Brennan the Collection launched in October 2016. Its original range included bed linen, towels, robes, pillows, duvets, nightwear and cushions. That makes 2026 its tenth anniversary. (Francis Brennan’s official website)
It has grown enormously since then. In January 2026, the Irish Examiner reported that the collection had expanded to almost 700 different products. (Irish Examiner, 11 January 2026)
A Fabulous Day in Knocknacarra
At the celebration in Knocknacarra, Francis showed the bed linen, pyjamas and dressing gowns, as well as picture frames, soft toys, tableware and the Christmas pieces.
There was so much to choose from. Seeing the different parts of the collection together brought home the variety: things for everyday use, pieces for the home and ideas for gifts.
It was lovely to see the person behind the collection presenting it himself. Having watched him on television, I enjoyed the opportunity to see him showing the products in person.
With Christmas coming, the timing was lovely too. Alongside the bed linen and nightwear, there was the festive range to look at, giving plenty of scope for anyone thinking ahead about gifts or their Christmas table.
Christmas Ideas, with the Person in Mind
The pyjamas, dressing gowns, picture frames and tableware offer different possibilities when thinking about Christmas gifts.
My suggestion would be to start with the person you are buying for. Would they enjoy new nightwear? Do they like tableware? Would a frame with a family photograph mean more to them?
That gives a browse a bit of direction. With such a varied collection, you can look at the pieces that suit the person and your budget, without feeling you need to buy something simply because it is Christmas.
For clothing gifts, check the sizing, fabric and care instructions. For homeware, think about what the person already has and what would fit into their home.
The same goes for festive pieces for your own house. Have a look at what you already have and decide whether there is anything you actually want to add. There is plenty of enjoyment in looking and gathering ideas too.
Still Worth the Little Stroll
Dunnes is somewhere I will always pop into for a stroll around the clothes and homeware. You never know what you will find, and I have found their own brand products to be very good quality.
The Francis Brennan celebration gave me another reason to take my time and look. Ten years into the collaboration, there is a lot more to see than bed linen alone.
From the Friday grocery shop when I was a child to shopping for my own family now, Dunnes has remained a familiar part of my life.
And while there is plenty to catch my eye these days, those mini Mars bars, the cola and the Tayto will always have their place in my memories. A week’s worth of treats, apparently. Just a very short week.