Tradition

SeaStar was founded in 1946 in the small village of Curraglass in the very heart of Ireland's Blackwater Valley. For over a 50 years the Carr family has supplied locals with traditional smoked fish.

Today stainless steel has replaced old oak tables for the preparation of the fish and no one hangs a slab of salmon up the chimney to smoke it. But, the ancient family recipes and skills have been handed down intact. The operation is still hands on. It takes sharp knives and skilled cutting to fillet and prepare fish for smoking. Brine is still used to cure the fish and the whole process is as true to its ancient roots as can be.

The Blackwater River System

The Blackwater Valley

The Blackwater Valley of Ireland has long been an area set apart. This huge interior river valley has no major cities and is surrounded by mountains and hills. Electricity only came to huge swathes of the Valley in the 1960s. Horse farming continued into the mid 60s. It's an area that encourages traditional methods.

The Blackwater River

The Blackwater River and its hundreds of crystal clear tributaries is the life blood of the Valley. It has long been the haunt of fishermen attracted by the promise of its waters rich in fish, especially salmon.

It was in this salmon river valley that the Seastar Smokery was founded at Curraglass, and its unique recipes were developed. Delicious? The business wouldn't have lasted 50 years if it wasn't special.

Today the Blackwater Valley features good food, lively conversation, traditional music and entertainment as well as walking, fishing, golfing, horse racing and pony trekking. The Valley boasts many castles. Stately homes, fine gardens and parks. It's a great place to be - at anytime!

Local restaurants feature locally caught salmon. For some great recipes, click here.