M & D Bakery was founded in 1985 by brothers Dermot and Michael Walsh. Continuing on three generations of bakers in the Walsh family the two brothers made the decision to continue on this legacy by combining their decades of personal experience in baking and so securing the centuries old tradition of "the blaa", and what has now become a trademark taste of Waterford and known the world over.
Dermot learned his trade in his father's bakery Walsh's on ballybricken working there during school holidays and Saturdays. He then went to study Bakery Production and Management in Kevin Street College of Technology in 1981 and graduated with his diploma and city of guilds 4 in 1984. During college he worked in Ann's Hot Bread shop in Stillorgan, Talbot Street and Henry Street part-time gaining valuable industry experience along the way.
Michael qualified with a Diploma in Bakery Production and Management from the college of Technology, Kevin Street, Dublin in 1979. He then worked in various bakeries in Dublin including The Crusty Kitchen, KC Confectionery and Green Isle Foods, before taking up a position in The Dock Mill Flour Company as a Technical Consultant. In 1985 he moved back to Waterford and started to discuss opening a bakery with his brother Dermot.
Then in 1985 Dermot along with his brother Michael made the decision to set up Sunshine Bread and Confectionery Ltd. Trading as M & D Bakery in Mount Sion Avenue from where they now service customers not only in Waterford but all over Ireland.