The huge potential of Ireland’s seaweed farming sector

“Ireland’s seaweed farming sector is still in its infancy. There is huge potential driven by global demand for marine-derived ingredients.”

That is the belief of Michael O’Neill, a former fisherman from the Beara Peninsula, deep in West Cork, close to the Atlantic Ocean at the southernmost part of this island nation.

He is Founder and CEO of Pure Ocean Algae, a k marine biotechnology company which has launched Ireland’s first health supplement range made from native red seaweed.

Commonly known as Dulse or Dillisk, it has historically been wild-harvested.

“The red seaweed we cultivate is vastly different from wild-harvested dulse,” O’Neill says. “Because we control every stage of its development, we can enhance its bioactive properties and ensure a clean, consistent ingredient suitable for wellness applications. This is the foundation of our new product range.”

Michael O’Neill is a former commercial fisherman and engineer who founded Pure Ocean Algae in 2019, turning to sustainable aquaculture: “I recognised the potential of farming seaweed, a regenerative crop that requires no fertiliser, freshwater, or land, to provide both environmental and economic value, while creating jobs in coastal regions”

His company has built Ireland’s first end-to-end production platform for the seaweed, managing the full lifecycle from hatchery to growing sites to processing. This system ensures consistent quality and traceability, an important requirement for nutraceutical production.

Red seaweed is valued for its proteins, amino acids, and minerals, including iodine, magnesium, and iron. It also contains antioxidants and micronutrients used in functional foods.

Over the past two years, the company has invested in research, including human trials with the University of Limerick. Early findings on metabolic and digestive health supported its move into nutraceuticals.

“Ireland’s seaweed farming sector is still in its infancy,” O’Neill says. “There is huge potential driven by global demand for marine-derived ingredients. The company has secured private investment to expand sea sites in West Cork and scale hatchery production. The launch marks a shift towards high-value marine-derived wellness products.”

The company has secured private investment to expand sea sites in West Cork and scale hatchery production.

Acting CEO of Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Richard Donnelly, says the development highlights Ireland’s growing marine innovation sector, “showing how sustainably farmed native seaweed can create high-value products for global health and wellness markets.”