Ummera Irish Smokehouse Closes its Doors After Nearly 50 Years of Tradition
Ummera Irish Smokehouse, located near Timoleague, has closed after nearly 50 years in business. Anthony Creswell, who joined the family business in 1984, expressed his sadness over the closure. Many loyal customers from around the world have reached out to share their sorrow about the smokehouse no longer operating.
Anthony’s family moved from the UK to West Cork in the 1960s. He fondly recalls enjoying the natural beauty of the area. At the age of 18, he began working in the wine business in Dublin but later switched to smokehouse operations when his father’s salmon smoking efforts gained traction.
Anthony’s father, Keith Creswell, started smoking salmon out of necessity when local fishermen caught more salmon than they could consume. After facing challenges in the wine business, Anthony shifted focus to the smokehouse, launching Ummera Smoked Products Ltd. in 1988. His father’s methods, focusing on quality instead of quantity, guided Anthony as he took over the business in 2000.
Under Anthony’s leadership, Ummera earned numerous awards, including recognition for organic smoked salmon and compliance with EU export standards. The company’s reputation grew, and its products were exported throughout Europe.
What legacy does Anthony Creswell hope to leave behind after the closure of Ummera Irish Smokehouse?
Interview with Anthony Creswell: Reflecting on the Closure of Ummera Irish Smokehouse
News Directory 3: Anthony, thank you for joining us today. It must be an incredibly bittersweet moment for you after nearly 50 years of operation. Can you share with us your feelings about the closure of Ummera Irish Smokehouse?
Anthony Creswell: Thank you for having me. It is indeed a very sad time for me and my family. Ummera has been more than just a business; it has been a part of our family’s identity and a significant part of the local community. I’ve received countless messages from loyal customers around the world expressing their sadness, which has been both comforting and heart-wrenching.
News Directory 3: Your journey with Ummera began in 1984. Can you tell us what initially drew you into the smokehouse business?
Anthony Creswell: My father, Keith Creswell, started this journey by smoking salmon when local fishermen brought in more fish than they could use. After some time working in the wine business in Dublin, I realized my true passion lay in following in my father’s footsteps. I wanted to preserve the quality methods he pioneered. It became clear that the smokehouse was where I belonged.
News Directory 3: You’ve mentioned the importance of quality over quantity in your father’s methods. How did this philosophy shape Ummera under your ownership?
Anthony Creswell: My father always emphasized the need for quality; he believed that if you focus on producing exceptional products, success will follow. When I took over in 2000, I made it my mission to uphold this approach. We invested in quality ingredients and painstaking processes, which ultimately led to the recognition and awards that Ummera earned over the years, especially for our organic smoked salmon.
News Directory 3: After achieving such success and establishing a strong reputation, what prompted your decision to close the business now?
Anthony Creswell: It was not an easy decision. Sadly, my children have chosen not to continue with the business, and I felt it was time to step back, especially with the busy Christmas season approaching. I wanted to ensure a smooth transition rather than let the business linger without a clear future. I still hold hope that someone passionate about the craft might take over and carry on the legacy.
News Directory 3: Looking toward the future, what are your plans now that you’re retiring from the smokehouse?
Anthony Creswell: Retirement is a new chapter for me. I’m looking forward to enjoying life outside of work—spending more time with family and friends, and perhaps exploring hobbies I never had the time for. That said, there are still some closure tasks to handle, which I’ll be focused on in the coming weeks.
News Directory 3: What do you think will be the most challenging aspect of this transition for you?
Anthony Creswell: I will greatly miss the relationships I’ve built with our customers and colleagues. The people we met along this journey have been incredible, and knowing that Ummera played a meaningful role in their lives is something I’ll always cherish. The community around the smokehouse has fostered an environment that felt like family.
News Directory 3: In closing, what message would you like to leave for your loyal customers and supporters?
Anthony Creswell: I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of our customers and supporters worldwide. Your loyalty and encouragement have meant everything to us. While Ummera may be closing, I hope the memories of our quality smoked products and the passion behind them will live on in the hearts of everyone who enjoyed our offerings. Thank you for the incredible journey.
News Directory 3: Thank you, Anthony, for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us today. Your contributions to the smokehouse industry will certainly be missed.
Despite the success, Anthony decided to close the business as none of his children were interested in continuing. The busy Christmas season was approaching, and he wanted to ensure a smooth transition. He remains hopeful that someone enthusiastic will take over the business in the future.
Now retired, Anthony looks forward to enjoying life outside of work, though he still has some tasks to complete related to the closure. He will miss the relationships he built with customers and colleagues over the years. The smokehouse’s legacy of quality smoking and production will be remembered fondly by many.