The heart of beloved Galway pizzeria, The Dough Bros, can be summed up by their slogan: Pizza for the People. We absolutely adore their multi-award-winning pizzas, of course, but what truly stands out is the enthusiasm and hospitality that radiate through everything they do. For the April/May '25 edition of our This is Galway Magazine, we caught up with The Bros to chat about the past decade, their new slice shop, and the importance of building up the community.
Over the past 10 years, Eugene and Ronan Greaney have carefully honed their distinct tone while staying true to their vision—building a pizza empire that feeds souls as well as appetites. A decade in, they show no signs of slowing down. The newest addition to The Dough Bros family, Lil’ Bros Slice Shop, proves that Galway’s pizza culture is ever-evolving, with The Dough Bros leading the charge.
Eugene shares, “As passionate as we are about pizza, we are equally as passionate about hospitality. We were reared in pubs and restaurants and watched our parents create the most welcoming and friendly atmospheres.… We wanted to stand out from the crowd. And the best way to do that was to be ourselves.” This authenticity has been a permanent pillar of their journey to pizza perfection. Ronan adds, “One of the biggest things and greatest things about our business and this journey is the people in it… As much as we're a pizza business, we're a people business. I think that over the last 10+ years, one of our greatest achievements is the culture we have built.”
Starting out in a food truck with a mission to reinvent the perception of Irish pizza, to now having three permanent locations and being ranked the 15th best pizza in the world, their hunger for what’s next is tangible. The secret to this massive success? The incredible team of people they have in their corner. Ronan notes, “ The culture downstairs [in Dough Bros] is so strong! As Eugene touched on, everybody that's growing with us is willing to step up now… you're only able to grow, I think, with the strength of the people around you.” The team working at The Dough Bros is just as enthusiastic and intentional as Eugene and Ronan. If you’ve ever dined in at their Middle Street location, you know you’ll be met with top-notch service and mouth-watering pizzas made to an exceptional standard.
This mentality extends to all aspects of their business. Lil’ Bros is headed by Jack Feeney, who has worked with Eugene and Ronan for the last 10 years. Leanne Powell, once front of house, now works as Operations Manager, helping oversee both the restaurant and slice shop. Ailise Greaney, their younger sister, started working with them at the age of 15 and is now head of E-Commerce. Eoin Dempsey has worked with the bros for 11 years, running the kitchen. And Paul Connolly started as a kitchen hand and is now the Production Manager at the factory. Eugene notes, “ As soon as we were able to step away and allow people to do some of the jobs we were doing, the business has really flourished.”
Of course, The Dough Bros’ mission is backed up by the irresistible deliciousness coming from the kitchen. Each wood-fired pizza is made along the assembly line using only the freshest ingredients from Irish suppliers. All of their fresh mozzarella is delivered daily, made by Galway's own Sabanero and uses 100% Galway cows milk. “Ireland is blessed to have some of the best dairy and [food products] in the world,” Ronan highlights. “So why not try and put all that together with pizza? We want to stand out, be Irish, and be different.” One of our all time favourites is the ‘Pep Guardijala’, made with Wooded Pig pepperoni, and candied jalapeños, on a perfect margherita base.
With Lil’ Bros Slice Shop now open on the vibrant corner of Eyre Square, the team has once again proven their incredible ambition (and ability) to elevate Galway’s pizza culture. This slice shop was a dream years in the making. “ We'd always go over to New York for [research] trips,” Ronan shares, “but while we were over there, we absolutely fell in love with the slice culture… There’s just nothing quite like it.”
Lil’ Bros Slice Shop is an exciting new addition to Galway’s food scene. It captures the one-of-a-kind taste and friendliness of The Dough Bros, while offering the distinct and lively atmosphere of a classic slice shop. Serving up slices, squares, and sandwiches, Lil’ Bros draws inspiration from the best NYC spots, while honing in on Galway’s unique flair. “ In a way, it’s Dough Bros,” Eugene notes, “but it certainly has its own character and personality.”
Authenticity, hospitality, and a genuine passion for pizza are the three key ingredients behind their success. With the steadfast support of the community around them, we can’t wait to see what’s next. “ Honest to God, I'm so excited for it all.” Ronan shares, “I don't know exactly what lies ahead, but I have a good grasp of it, and I can see it. It excites me more and more with the people that we have around us.”
Visit The Dough Bros in their restaurant at 1 Middle Street, in the beer garden of O’Connell’s Pub, or in Lil’ Bros Slice Shop at 32 Eyre Square. You can also get a taste of the magic at home. Their Pizza Kits are available online at thedoughbros.ie for nationwide delivery. Their pizza bases can also be picked up on shelves in Dunnes Stores across Ireland.
All photos by Ciarán MacChoncarraige.
above: Cover image for the April / May '25 edition of the This is Galway Magazine
