It’s the little things in life

Francis Brennan tells Mags Gargan about his philosophy for a happy outlook

Francis Brennan has three guiding principles for living a happy and successful life – caring, consideration and community. These principles were the foundation of his Catholic upbringing in Sandyford, Co. Dublin, and have become a philosophy that has brought him success in both the hospitality industry and in his television career.

“We were a really happy household,” Francis says. “We were all good workers and the five of us (three boys and two girls) each had jobs to do, like cutting the grass. We never had a row. My father was a grocer and worked all the time. My mum kept us all and the house was a magnet for all the kids of the neighbourhood.”

Francis worked in his father’s shop in Stepaside, before he began his career in hospitality in a hotel in Sligo. He studied hotel management in Cathal Brugha Street after which he worked in a number of posts in hotels in Cork and Kerry before settling in Kenmare.

All three Brennan brothers entered the hospitality sector, with his brother John working alongside Francis at both the five-star Park Hotel in Kenmare and in the At Your Service reality TV series.

Family

Family is very important to Francis. He stays in touch with all his siblings and rings his mother every night, wherever he is in the world. She remains a guiding light in his life, and was the first person to read his new book It’s the Little Things: Francis Brennan’s Guide to Life.

“She absolutely loved it,” he says.

Beginning with manners and how we can show simple consideration for others at home, at work, and in the wider world, his tips and advice describe how to add what he calls “that extra sprinkling of sparkle dust” to any situation. He says that it’s all about the little things, such as making the perfect cup of tea or knowing what way your pillowcase should face, that make life run that bit more smoothly.

In his own unmistakable style, Francis covers topics such as how to be the perfect guest and the perfect host, the essentials of being a good neighbour, how to survive claustrophobic family gatherings and what to wear to an interview.

Francis says he never set out to write a book about manners or etiquette, but once he began to write, he realised that to him manners were really about respecting others and making them happy, which he believes is most important in life.

“I sat down and the book flowed out of me,” he says. “It’s about the things parents used to teach their children, which we seem to have lost over the years. Children need parameters or they can end up down the wrong path in life. It all starts at home. It’s about telling the next generation how to behave.

“It’s like religion. If faith is not handed down from parent to child, it is lost. I was in the church in Kenmare recently for some of the preparation Masses for first Communion children, and it was obvious that the parents didn’t know when to stand up or sit down.”

Francis says he feels lucky that he has always had a strong faith. “I go to Mass every Sunday. No matter where I am in the world, I never miss it, even in Moscow, where Mass is not easy to find. I actually love to go to Mass abroad; it gives me a sense of community.”

However, one source of annoyance for Francis at Mass is the unsuitable attire of some altar servers. “I was at a candlelight ceremony once where the altar servers were wearing runners with flashing lights! It’s not appropriate and if they don’t know this, then someone should tell them,” he says.

So far Francis is impressed with his Papal namesake. “He seems very progressive and young enough to generate a following. He is good for the Church,” he says.

Francis was in the USA when the news of the election of a new Pope was announced. “The hotel sent me an email from a lady in West Cork. She was listening to the radio while her seven-year-old son was eating some cornflakes. When they announced Pope Francis was elected, her son looked up and asked ‘Is that the fella in Kenmare?’ His mother watches the show and he confused me with the Pope!”

Francis carries a pair of rosary beads in his briefcase which were a gift from Pope John Paul II.

They are a result of a trip to Rome when a friend with links to a cardinal there organised for him to attend morning Mass with the Pontiff, who presented him with the rosary beads when they met after Mass.

When the beads broke Francis was able to get them repaired in Lourdes where he goes on pilgrimage every year with the Kerry diocese. “It was my 32nd pilgrimage this year and I am delighted I am able to do it,” he says. Francis worked in the kitchen at

the Lourdes sanctuary and cooks for patients who have special dietary requirements. It is a long day starting at 6am and finishing about 11pm, but Francis loves it.

“When you are there, you realise how lucky you are to be able to walk around and be happy. It very much levels you. The diocese brings a lot of young volunteers and it is good for them to see there is sickness in the world and for them to help others.”

Francis has been busy travelling the country for book signings, but he says he feels “like a fraud” appearing at literary festivals alongside more established authors. He and John have also filmed a special Christmas episode of At Your Service where they have applied their expertise to Enable Ireland’s Avenue Garden Centre in Sandymount and the Adult Services Day Centre in Sandyford. 

Christmas is one of the busiest days of the week for the Park Hotel, and preparations are now in full swing there.

“The hotel is built for Christmas,” Francis says. “It is a Victorian house and we only use natural decorations. We have a 20-foot Christmas tree, Santa comes and we have games, competitions, dancing and Christmas carols. It is a really nice atmosphere.”

Although it is a hugely busy day, Francis is able to make time to spend with friends in the evening, and it is easy to imagine he puts as much energy into relaxing as he does into his hectic work schedule.

Full of charm and witty stories, it can be difficult to keep up with Francis’ energy, but his positive outlook is infectious and it is undeniable that an encounter with him does bring a little sparkle into your life.

 

It’s the Little Things: Francis Brennan’s Guide to Life is published by Gill & MacMillan (€14.99).