Hederman’s Smokehouse

Belvelly Smoke House, owned by Caroline & Frank Hederman, is Ireland’s only authentic smoke house, and the only place where fish, including wild Irish salmon, are hung for smoking. It is such a unique process and a precious part of Irish cultural heritage that it is protected by EU legislation. It also produces utterly delicious smoked fish.

Frank Hederman, a self-taught craftsman, is now in his fifth decade of smoking. In 2022, which marked forty years in business, Frank became the first person in Ireland to win the Walter Scheel Medaille, a European award that recognises a recipient’s contribution to local food culture.

Frank by name, frank by nature, you will learn the home truths of life as an artisan fish smoker in Ireland, as Frank takes you on a highly personalised, humorous, unscripted tour behind the scenes of Ireland’s only smoke house. Beautiful imagery of various parts of the process is projected onto the walls, so you don’t miss anything.

The smoke house premises is also Frank and Caroline’s home. You are invited to relax and have refreshments in the pretty walled garden or courtyard, or you can enjoy the warmth of their hospitality in the newly created Tasting Room – with views of the island and estuary. At the end of every tour, there are splendid tasting platters or menus that celebrate the smoke house and the delicious food produced there.