If Ballina can be described as the salmon capital of Ireland there was every reason to describe Enniscrone as the Seaweed Capital of Ireland.

This was stated by Independent MEP Marian Harkin when she officially opened the Enniscrone Seaweed Festival on Sunday, October 20th.She said:  “Edward Kilcullen and his father before him who established the seaweed baths which became synonymous with Enniscrone and Mary Darlington, Director of the Enniscrone Seaweed Festival have recognised the great potential of seaweed as a base for sustainable tourism.  They are aiming to ensure that there will be a new focus on seaweed’s capacity to contribute to health enhancement while, at the same time, creating an important economic activity in Enniscrone.

“It is interesting that it was a man of vision one hundred years ago who helped to fund the original Kilcullen Sea Bath enterprise.  Jocelyn Gore Booth with foresight and ability to recognise opportunity backed a young entrepreneur Edward Kilcullen’s father and the result was a business which has sustained for over 100 years.

“Similarly today it is visionaries like Mary Darlington and Enniscrone & District Development Association who have provided the vision, the drive and the commitment to mount this very welcome and important focus on Seaweed as a multi faceted important health giving food, and a medicinal and therapeutic remedy for people of all ages.

“In a hundred years time people may ask how Enniscrone became the Seaweed Capital of Ireland and the answer will be that committed community people made it happen and made it sustainable.  Community building, community participation that is what is at the core of sustainability and the people involved in Enniscrone & District Development deserve every praise for their the initiative and energy which has produced this very valuable and most enjoyable seaweed festival”, Marian Harkin MEP concluded.