Harvesting seaweed on the River Fergus

Oyster Thief, New Quay, Co. Clare

Oyster Thief, a variety of seaweed.

© M.D. Guiry; www.species.ie

Oyster Thief, New Quay, Co. Clare
© M.D. Guiry; www.species.ie

Oyster Thief, New Quay, Co. Clare

Oyster Thief, a variety of seaweed.

© M.D. Guiry; www.species.ie

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There are a number of small islands near the mouth of the River Fergus where it meets the Shannon. For many years these islands had small populations. Harvesting seaweed was a source of income for many on the islands. Seaweed was in demand as a source of fertilizer.

The seaweed grew just off the shore of the islands. As it was a valuable crop there was an understanding amongst the islanders of who had access to the seaweed and where. It was agreed that any seaweed which grew on the shoreline opposite the land which a farmer owned, had the right to harvest that seaweed.

Seaweed for Manure, Connemara, c.1900

Seaweed was once harvested by Irish coastal communities. It was highly prized as fertilizer. Some varieties, like carrageen and dilisk, were eaten. Kelp was burned in kelp kilns and substances found in the ashes used in the manufacture of glass and pottery glazing.

Seaweed for Manure, Connemara, c.1900

Seaweed for Manure, Connemara, c.1900

Seaweed was once harvested by Irish coastal communities. It was highly prized as fertilizer. Some varieties, like carrageen and dilisk, were eaten. Kelp was burned in kelp kilns and substances found in the ashes used in the manufacture of glass and pottery glazing.

Enlarge image

The islanders had a good method for gathering seaweed. They tied a straw rope around bundles of the weed which occuredon their strech of shoreline. The seaweed would the be cut and as the tide came in it lifted the tied bundles to the shore. It was easy for the islanders to keep track of who owned what with this method.

Some weed grew a long distance from the shore and in order to harvest it boats had to be used. These large boats were called 'lighters'. The boat was rowed out when the tide was high to the place where the weed was growing. When the tide went out, they were able to land the boat amongst the rocks and then begin the work of cutting the seaweed. They filled their boat, and when the tide came in it refloated the boat and they rowed to the shore.

Though harvesting seaweed was very hard work, it gave employment and income to the islanders. The seaweed was considered so valuable that a watchman armed with a gun was employed to watch the heaps of harvested seaweed. These days, the islands are deserted and seaweed is no longer harvested.