A Waterford cheesemaker has taken home three awards at the 2026 Irish Cheese Awards.

Knockanore Farmhouse Cheese, based in Ballyneety near Knockanore, was recognised at the ceremony in Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary last week.

Its Knockanore Oakwood Smoked Cheddar won a Silver award, while its Smoked Moz picked up Bronze in the Smoked Cheese category.

The company’s Moz cheese also received a Bronze award in the Fresh/Soft Cheese category.

The awards are organised by CÁIS, the Association of Irish Farmhouse Cheesemakers, and saw 150 cheeses from 30 producers across Ireland judged by a panel of Irish and international experts.

Knockanore Farmhouse Cheese is run by the Lonergan family, with Eamonn and Patricia Lonergan producing cheese using milk from their herd of 180 pedigree Friesian cows.

Their son Edward now also plays a major role in the day-to-day running of the business.

The company’s Oakwood Smoked Raw Milk Cheddar is cold-smoked for ten days using locally sourced oak from Lismore before being aged on-site for at least six months.

CÁIS Chair Dan Hegarty said the awards play an important role in supporting the long-term future and success of Irish farmhouse cheesemakers.