Funeral takes place in Waterford of visionary Dawn Meats co-founder
The late Dan Browne, co-founder of Dawn Meats, who passed away aged 88.
The funeral has taken place of visionary Dawn Meats co-founder, Dan Browne, in Co. Waterford, who passed away on Tuesday, June 24.
Late of Roncalli, Grantstown, Waterford and formerly of Douglas and Fermoy, Co Cork, Mr Browne passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family in the wonderful care of the staff at University Hospital Waterford.
A tribute statement honouring Mr Browne was issued to the Waterford News & Star on behalf of the company he co-founded.
It read: "It is with great sadness that Dawn Meats announces the passing of its co-founder Daniel (Dan) Browne today at the age of 88. The Board of Dawn Meats wishes to express its deepest condolences to Mr Browne's wife, Kay, and his family at this difficult time.
"Mr Browne was a pioneering figure in Irish agriculture and made an outstanding contribution to the Irish agri-food industry, and the meat industry in particular.
"He was a remarkable leader and visionary, serving as Managing Director of Dawn Meats for 27 years and developing the business into one of Europe’s leading meat processing companies. He was also a valued member of the board of Dawn Meats and through his wise counsel, he continued to play a key role in the further success of the company.
"Through his work at Dawn Meats and his wider contribution to agriculture and the agri-food industry, Mr Browne leaves a lasting legacy and he will be greatly missed."
Mr Browne was from a farming background in Douglas, Co Cork, and started his career as a research scientist.
He worked with An Foras Talúntais, the agricultural research institute, initially at the grassland research centre at Johnstown Castle in Wexford, before moving back to Cork in 1959, where he developed a national dairy research centre at Moorepark, outside Fermoy.
He was the third scientist to be recruited to Moorepark and was central in building a world-class centre there over the following 15 years.
In 1974, Mr Browne left the world of research and joined the meat industry, becoming Manager of the Cork Marts — IMP plant at Midleton.
In 1980, Mr Browne, along with John Queally and the late Peter Queally, established Dawn Meats. He served as Managing Director of the company, a position he held for 27 years. Under his leadership, Dawn Meats quickly developed into one of Europe’s leading meat processing companies.
Mr Browne retired from his role as Managing Director in 2007, but continued to be a board member of Dawn Meats and a key adviser to the company’s leadership as it grew into a business with over €3 billion in annual revenue, employing over 8,000 staff in 12 countries.
In 2011, Mr Browne was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science from UCD, where he had previously studied, in recognition of his vision, leadership, innovation and outstanding contribution to agricultural developments.
Mr Browne was Chair of the Board at Teagasc from 1993 to 1998 and Chair of the board of An Bord Bia from 2008 to 2011. He was Chair of Waterford Airport since 2010.
Mr Browne is survived by his wife Kay, children Paddy, Aoidin, Colm, Niall and 10 grandchildren. Niall has served as Chief Executive of Dawn Meats since 2007.
Dawn Meats, established in Co Waterford in 1980, is the supplier of choice to a range of leading supermarket, foodservice and manufacturing businesses, exporting to more than 50 countries.
As a family-owned business, it remains true to its farming heritage through the close relationships it has forged with over 40,000 family farms from which it directly sources grass-fed cattle and lamb for processing at its 11 Irish and 13 UK sites.
The company works with some of the world’s leading food companies, who are attracted by a commitment to sustainability and quality.
Trading as Dunbia in the UK and Dawn Meats in Ireland, the combined businesses process approximately one million cattle and 3.5 million sheep annually.
Mr Browne's remains lay in repose at his family home on Thursday, June 26, from 2pm to 6pm with Requiem Mass taking place on Friday, June 27, at St Mary's Church, Ballygunner, Waterford, at 11am.
Burial took place immediately afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
The requiem mass was also streamed on a link on RIP.ie
The Browne family walked from the family home where members of the public had an opportunity to pay their condolences before the Mass commenced at 11am.
The huge regard in which Dan Browne was held was underlined by the messages of condolence, sympathy and support extended to his family on RIP.ie.
One person noted: "I have nothing but fond memories and utter respect for the man."
Another person described him as "a gentleman and a visionary".
Some of Mr Browne's business associates also paid tribute to him with one person writing: "He was a great man to keep his business growing and was always a very decent person to deal with."
Another person wrote, in tribute: "He was a wise and perceptive scientist and businessman, and above all a gentleman."
The book of condolence is still available on RIP.ie for the public to offer sympathies to Mr Browne's family.
