With over 600 types of seaweed growing in Irish coastal waters, the island is the perfect place to experience the health benefits and versatility of one of nature’s most potent plants.
For thousands of years seaweed played an important part in Irish daily life as a staple food and for its medicinal properties. Now, after a period of being overlooked, it is back in the spotlight.
A fun way to discover seaweed’s distinctive flavours and learn about its wide range of uses is by taking part in a seaweed foraging workshop.
Among the many on offer across the island of Ireland are those run by the Sea Gardener in County Waterford. With a passion for foraging for seaweed, cooking with it, and sustainably using it, Marie Power, the Sea Gardener, runs regular events taking people along Waterford’s rocky shorelines and teaching them to identify different species, how to harvest it and how to cook with it. The workshops include tasting sessions of artisan seaweed-based snacks.
Atlantic Irish Seaweed in County Kerry offers seaweed discovery workshops giving you the chance to stroll along the Wild Atlantic Way and learn about the many types of seaweed to be found there. You’ll be encouraged to graze on seaweed nibbles along the way.
The Causeway Coast is the home of dulse, a popular dried seaweed snack, while offshore, the cool clear waters of Rathlin Island produce some of the best quality kelp in the world.