Quinlan’s Kerry Fish
Quinlan's Kerry Fish is a family-owned, vertically integrated Irish seafood business (est. 1963) producing premium cold-smoked salmon and fresh fish via own trawlers, a Renard Point smokery, six fish shops, four seafood bars, two restaurants, and EU-wide e-commerce delivery.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1963
- HeadquartersCahersiveen, Ireland
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Quinlan’s Kerry Fish does
Quinlan's Kerry Fish is a family-owned Irish seafood producer and vertically integrated retailer, founded in 1963 by Michael Quinlan in Caherciveen, County Kerry, and currently operated by the second generation (Liam, Ronan, and Fintan Quinlan). The company controls the supply chain from catch to consumer through its own fishing trawlers, direct relationships with local Kerry fishermen, a processing facility and smokery at Renard Point, and a multi-channel retail network. Headcount is reported at 101–250 employees, with the legal entity Kerry Fish Ireland Limited domiciled in Ireland and recognized in industry sources as a leading Irish fish processor.
The product portfolio is anchored by premium Irish smoked salmon in four variants — Wild, Organic, Superior, and Kenmare Select (acquired in 2017) — produced using a traditional cold smoking technique with native Irish oak wood chippings, a 3–5 hour dry sea salt cure, and 10–14 hours of cold smoking at low temperatures, yielding a 3% salt content with no additives beyond smoke and salt. Adjacent offerings include fresh fish (cod, hake, turbot, monkfish, lemon sole, plaice, John Dory, brill), shellfish (Portmagee crab, Glenbeigh mussels, Dublin Bay prawns), frozen seafood, prepared meals (seafood chowder, fishcakes, seafood pies), pantry accessories, and a corporate gifting line. Certifications include HACCP, IOFGA, Naturland, Qualité France, Bio Suisse, and Origin Green Gold Member status.
The business operates a hybrid go-to-market model: six physical fish shops (Kerry, Cork, Limerick), four seafood bars, two restaurants (Mad Monk in Killarney, Quinlan's Seafood Restaurant in Cork City), direct-to-consumer e-commerce on kerryfish.com with next-day delivery across Ireland and the EU, and a B2B food service supply channel serving Michelin-starred restaurants and prestigious hotels. Pricing is unit-based, ranging from €7 for small smoked salmon portions to €200 for premium wild smoked salmon whole sides, with seafood boxes priced at €50–€100 and free delivery on orders over €50. Recent strategic capital activity includes a €12 million deal in May 2023, a major Renard facility investment in October 2023, and a Dublin expansion announcement in February 2024.
Quinlan’s Kerry Fish firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Quinlan’s Kerry Fish
- Legal name
- Kerry Fish Ireland Limited
- Website
- https://kerryfish.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1963
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Quinlan's Kerry Fish is a family-owned, vertically integrated Irish seafood business (est. 1963) producing premium cold-smoked salmon and fresh fish via own trawlers, a Renard Point smokery, six fish shops, four seafood bars, two restaurants, and EU-wide e-commerce delivery.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Quinlan’s Kerry Fish industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Smoked Salmon and Premium Seafood Production
- NAICS
- Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (311710), Fish and Seafood Retailers (445250), Other Marine Fishing (114119)
- SIC
- Prepared Fresh Or Frozen Fish & Seafoods (2092)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Smoked, Cured & Salted Seafood (Lox, Kippers, Bacalao) (AFANADAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Seafood Markets & Fishmongers (CRAHAHAC), Frozen Prepared Meat & Seafood Meals (AFANAFAC), Frozen Seafood Meals & Value-Added Seafood (CRADADAG)
Keywords
Where Quinlan’s Kerry Fish is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cahersiveen
- HQ country
- Ireland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices11 records
Markets served
Quinlan’s Kerry Fish business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Smoked Salmon Products: Premium smoked salmon sold in various formats (whole side, sliced, pack sizes). Products include Wild, Organic, Superior, and Kenmare Select varieties. Sold via e-commerce with next-day delivery and in retail locations.
- Fresh Fish and Seafood: Daily fresh fish sourced from own trawlers and local Kerry fishermen. Includes seafood boxes, individual fish portions, shellfish. Next-day delivery service across Ireland.
- Retail Fish Shops: Six physical fish shop locations across Kerry, Cork and Limerick. Customers purchase fresh fish and smoked salmon directly from counters with expert advice and preparation services.
- Seafood Bars and Restaurants: Four seafood bars and two restaurants operating under Quinlan's brand. Casual dining, takeaways, and full restaurant service in Killarney, Tralee, Killorglin, and Cork City.
- Corporate Gifting: Corporate smoked salmon gift packages for business clients, employees, and Christmas gifting. Bulk orders and direct-to-recipient delivery options available.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Wild Smoked Salmon - Premium Tier |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Superior Smoked Salmon - Mid-Tier |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Organic Smoked Salmon - Premium Tier |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Kenmare Select - Specialty Tier |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Seafood Boxes |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Fresh Fish Products |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Ready-to-Eat Products |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Quinlan’s Kerry Fish product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Quinlan's Kerry Fish is a vertically integrated Irish seafood producer that catches, processes, smokes, and sells premium smoked salmon and fresh fish. Its core offering is artisan cold-smoked Irish salmon (Wild, Organic, Superior, and Kenmare Select varieties) using traditional Irish oak smoking techniques refined since 1963, complemented by daily-caught fresh fish, shellfish, prepared seafood meals, and frozen seafood products distributed through company-owned fish shops, seafood bars, restaurants, and a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform with next-day delivery across Ireland and the EU.
Product overview
Quinlan's Kerry Fish operates as a vertically integrated seafood business with a multi-channel distribution strategy. The core product portfolio centers on premium smoked salmon offerings: Wild Smoked Irish Salmon (top-tier, sourced from sustainable draft net fishing), Superior Smoked Irish Salmon (award-winning, sustainable Atlantic rearing), Kenmare Select Smoked Salmon (acquired premium brand, delicacy grade), and Organic Smoked Salmon (IOFGA/Naturland certified). These are complemented by a full fresh seafood range including daily-caught fish (cod, haddock, turbot, monkfish, sole varieties) and shellfish (crab, mussels, prawns). Prepared convenience foods include award-winning seafood chowder, fishcakes, and seafood pies made in-house. The business combines direct-to-consumer channels: six fish shop retail locations, four casual seafood bar restaurants, two fine-dining restaurants, and a WooCommerce-powered e-commerce platform (kerryfish.com) with next-day delivery. Additional revenue streams include frozen seafood, pantry accessories, and corporate/private gift sales.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Kenmare Select: Premium smoked salmon brand acquired in 2017, delicatley smoked salmon akin to sashimi, coveted by starred chefs.
- Quinlan's Wild Smoked Salmon
- Quinlan's Superior Smoked Salmon
- Quinlan's Organic Smoked Salmon
- Mad Monk by Quinlan's
- Quinlan's Seafood Restaurant Cork
Products and services
- Wild Smoked Irish Salmon Premium wild Atlantic Irish salmon cold-smoked using traditional Irish oak wood, sourced from sustainable draft net fishing in the Laune Estuary and Cashin Estuary. Award-winning top-of-range product, available in 600-800g to 1.2kg+ whole-side formats priced €95-€200.
- Superior Smoked Irish Salmon Award-winning premium smoked Atlantic salmon sustainably reared in Atlantic Ocean waters 6km off the Co. Kerry coast, featuring firm flesh and deep fine taste. Won Gold Medals at Blas na hÉireann for 5 consecutive years (2014, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2023). Available in sliced sides and 180g packs priced €10-€39.50.
- Kenmare Select Smoked Salmon Delicately smoked salmon acquired with Kenmare Select in 2017, described as akin to sashimi with subtle yet distinctive flavor coveted by starred chefs. Available in mild, herb-cured, and organic varieties in 100g to whole-side 900-1100g formats priced €7-€43.
- Organic Smoked Salmon Multi-award winning smoked salmon using organic Atlantic salmon from an Iveragh Peninsula supplier, reared in deep water with strong tidal currents. Certified by IOFGA, Naturland, Qualité France, and Bio Suisse. Listed in Great Taste Top 50 Foods and won 3 Star Gold Medal at Great Taste Awards. Available in 180g packs and whole sides with optional Sea Salt & Dill Pollen, priced €17.50-€67.50.
- Fresh Fish Daily fresh fish sourced from Quinlan's own fishing trawlers and local Kerry fishermen, vacuum packed with next-day delivery. Range includes salmon, cod, haddock, lemon sole, plaice, hake, turbot, monkfish, John Dory, brill, ray wings, and black sole priced €11-€18.75 per 500g.
- Fresh Shellfish Fresh shellfish including crab meat, crab claws, Glenbeigh mussels, and Dublin Bay prawns, sourced locally from Irish waters including Glenbeigh and Portmagee.
- Frozen Fish and Seafood Frozen seafood including Portmagee crab meat, crab claws in garlic butter, Deep Water Atlantic prawns, Dingle Bay prawns, scallops, breaded scampi, and fish stock. Available for pickup only.
- Seafood Boxes Curated selection of fresh prime fish available on the day, vacuum packed. Small Box (€50) serves 2-3 people and Large Box (€100, free shipping) serves 5-6 people. Contents may include cod, haddock, lemon sole, plaice, brill, hake, and turbot.
- Prepared Seafood Meals Ready-to-heat prepared meals including award-winning Quinlan's Homemade Fishcakes (€15), Seafood Chowder 460ml (€4.95, Gold Medal at Blas na hÉireann), and Family Seafood Pie (€12), made by resident chef Eddie twice weekly.
- Seafood Extras and Pantry Accompanying pantry products including albacore tuna in olive oil, white tuna, sardines, Spanish olive oil, Killybegs gluten-free vinegar, panko breadcrumbs, and cooking spray.
- Quinlan's Gift Vouchers Digital gift vouchers for Quinlan's Fish Shops and Seafood Bars, available in customizable amounts and sent electronically to recipients.
- Corporate Smoked Salmon Gift Program Bulk and individual corporate gift options for business occasions, including Wild Smoked Salmon gifts delivered throughout Ireland and the EU. Customizable with company branding potential for client appreciation, employee rewards, and Christmas gifting programs.
- Quinlan's Fish Shops (Retail Counter Service) Six physical fish shop locations across Tralee (Dunnes Stores, Horan Centre), Killarney (Deerpark), Limerick (Jetland), Caherciveen (Main Street, Renard Point), and Killorglin, specializing in fresh fish, shellfish, and smoked salmon sold directly from boats with expert preparation advice.
- Quinlan's Seafood Bars and Restaurants Four casual seafood bar locations (Killarney High Street, Tralee Mall, Tralee Horan Centre, Killorglin) serving fish & chips, chowder, and fresh seafood, plus two sit-down restaurants (Mad Monk by Quinlan's in Killarney and Quinlan's Seafood Restaurant in Cork City) offering full Irish seafood dining experiences.
- Online Shop (kerryfish.com) E-commerce platform for mail order of smoked salmon and fresh seafood, built on WooCommerce/WordPress. Offers next-day delivery within Ireland for fresh fish (DPD) and international delivery for smoked salmon (UPS), with free delivery on orders over €50.
Quantifiable outcome
- Gold medals at Irish Food Awards (Blas na hÉireann) from 2010 to 2023 for smoked salmon products
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Quinlan’s Kerry Fish
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Quinlan’s Kerry Fish technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Quinlan’s Kerry Fish partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Kenmare SelectcoreAcquired in 2017, Kenmare Select is a smoked salmon company whose philosophy aligned perfectly with Quinlan's own approach to creating premium smoked salmon. The acquisition enabled creation of a new type of smoked salmon worthy of appreciation across the globe, adding to the product portfolio with delicate, subtly flavoured products akin to sashimi.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Quinlan’s Kerry Fish competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- H. Forman & Son: London-based premium smoked salmon producer with a heritage brand dating to the early 1900s, operating a vertically integrated smokehouse and retail. Highly comparable to Quinlan's as a craft, premium, award-positioned smoked salmon brand serving both retail and food service customers in a similar price tier.
- John Ross Jr: Scottish premium smoked salmon producer based in Aberdeen, supplying delicatessens, hotels, and restaurants across the UK and internationally. Closely comparable in craft heritage, premium positioning, food service supply model, and multi-generational family ownership.
- The Fish Society: UK online seafood retailer specializing in premium fresh and smoked fish direct delivery. Comparable as a digital-first premium seafood business targeting household consumers with smoked salmon and fresh fish, competing in similar European online channels.
- Pinneys of Orkney: Orkney-based smoked salmon producer with strong food service and retail distribution across the UK. Comparable as a heritage smoked salmon brand competing for the same premium retail and HORECA customers Quinlan's targets in Ireland and the EU.
- Ducktrap River of Maine: US-based artisan smoked salmon producer in Maine with a heritage cold-smoking process and retail/wholesale distribution. Comparable craft positioning, premium smoked salmon focus, and food service supply model, though serving North America rather than Ireland/EU.
- Loch Fyne Seafood: Scottish seafood brand with fish counters, online shop, and restaurant presence focused on premium responsibly sourced seafood. Comparable multi-channel model (retail + DTC + food service) and premium seafood positioning targeting UK and European customers.
- Wrights of Howth: Irish seafood retailer and processor based in Howth, Dublin, operating fish shops, a seafood restaurant, and online sales. Comparable as an Irish family-owned vertically integrated seafood business with retail, hospitality, and DTC channels targeting premium customers.
Broad incumbents
- Mowi (formerly Marine Harvest): World's largest Atlantic salmon producer with integrated farming, processing, and value-added smoked salmon products. Relevant as a broad incumbent in salmon supply and processed seafood that competes with Quinlan's at the supermarket premium tier, though at much greater scale and without the craft heritage positioning.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Quinlan’s Kerry Fish social profiles
Digital presenceQuinlan’s Kerry Fish compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Quinlan’s Kerry Fish financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Quinlan’s Kerry Fish leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Quinlan’s Kerry Fish subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Quinlan’s Kerry Fish funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Quinlan’s Kerry Fish M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Quinlan’s Kerry Fish
What does Quinlan’s Kerry Fish do?
Quinlan's Kerry Fish is a vertically integrated Irish seafood producer that catches, processes, smokes, and sells premium smoked salmon and fresh fish. Its core offering is artisan cold-smoked Irish salmon (Wild, Organic, Superior, and Kenmare Select varieties) using traditional Irish oak smoking techniques refined since 1963, complemented by daily-caught fresh fish, shellfish, prepared seafood meals, and frozen seafood products distributed through company-owned fish shops, seafood bars, restaurants, and a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform with next-day delivery across Ireland and the EU.
Is Quinlan’s Kerry Fish a public or private company?
Quinlan’s Kerry Fish is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Quinlan’s Kerry Fish founded?
Quinlan’s Kerry Fish was founded in 1963. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Quinlan’s Kerry Fish based?
Quinlan’s Kerry Fish is headquartered in Cahersiveen, Ireland, in the Europe region.
How does Quinlan’s Kerry Fish make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Smoked Salmon Products are the primary driver. The others are fresh Fish and Seafood, retail Fish Shops, seafood Bars and Restaurants and corporate Gifting.
Who are Quinlan’s Kerry Fish's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are H. Forman & Son, John Ross Jr, The Fish Society, Pinneys of Orkney, Ducktrap River of Maine, Loch Fyne Seafood and Wrights of Howth. Mowi (formerly Marine Harvest) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Quinlan’s Kerry Fish have an API?
No public API is recorded for Quinlan’s Kerry Fish.
What industry is Quinlan’s Kerry Fish in?
Quinlan’s Kerry Fish's product category is Smoked Salmon and Premium Seafood Production. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFANADAF, Smoked, Cured & Salted Seafood (Lox, Kippers, Bacalao), with a secondary code of CRAHAHAC, Seafood Markets & Fishmongers. Its NAICS code is 311710 and its SIC code is 2092.