Ireland’s Seafood Development Agency, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), in partnership with Failte Ireland, has launched a new visitor attraction on the ‘Taste the Atlantic – a Seafood Journey’ trail to celebrate Ireland’s rope mussel industry.
The Mussel House overlooking Kenmare Bay tells the story of an industry which began in the early 1970’s which is now valued at €6.5 million. The modern rope-grown mussel industry is concentrated in the south west of Ireland and produces almost 10,000 tonnes of mussels grown on long lines for both the Irish and export market each year.
The Mussel House is located adjoining the renowned Helen’s Bar on Kilmackilogue Pier which serves fresh mussels harvested only one kilometre away in Kenmare Bay by local husband and wife team, Carl and Angela Daly of Kenmare Bay Seafoods.
‘We are delighted to be here today, in partnership with Failte Ireland, to launch this informative showcase that forms part of the successful BIM Taste the Atlantic – a Seafood Journey trail,’ said BIM CEO Jim O’Toole.
‘The trail is designed to highlight, inform and build an appreciation for Irish seafood producers along the Wild Atlantic Way. Kerry and the wider South West region have led the way in terms of rope mussel production. This exhibit, housed in one of Ireland’s most visited destinations for seafood lovers, will celebrate this successful sector and allow visitors to immerse themselves in more than the usual culinary experience as they learn about local producers Carl and Angela Daly, how Irish rope mussels are sustainably cultivated, their biology and nutritional value. Essentially, it will connect the place with the people and the product.’
The Mussel House features visual story boards detailing Irish rope mussel production and facts about mussels including how it can take up to two years for mussels to reach market size; how mussels gram by gram contain more iron than beef; how a single mussel can filter up to 65 litres of water a day and the species grown in Ireland is known as the Blue mussel.
‘The launch of the Mussel House only serves to reinforce the growing potential of Taste the Atlantic – A Seafood Journey,’ said Wild Atlantic Way project officer Maire Healy at Failte Ireland.
‘In addition to providing another great enhancement for visitors travelling the Wild Atlantic Way, this exhibit will encourage those who travel along the route to slow down, dwell longer and immerse themselves in the local seafood traditions and practices of the West coast, all while fostering a deeper appreciation for our exceptional seafood producers, clean Atlantic waters and growing food reputation. In Fáilte Ireland, we look forward to working closely with BIM on the continuous development of this distinctive visitor trail.’
