Tornamoney

Kelp Burning

Long ago people who lived along the coast collected seaweed from the rocks. Kelp is a type of seaweed and it is found on rocks or under the sea and they collect it to burn it.

A Carnlough lady remembers running home from school to be first to empty the kiln, to break off and suck the bits of salt which encrusted the inside walls.

It one of the oldest traditional industries to flourish round the coasts of Ireland. From the earliest times the ash of seaweed, mixed with animal fats, was used as an antiseptic and ointment for cuts and sores.

Iodine extracted from seaweed was also used in preparation of dyes.

A ton of good kelp produced only about 221bs of iodine.

In May after the spring storms the seaweed would be thrown on shore. Men, women and children would gather kelp from the rocks. The kelp was put in little stacks to dry.

Towards the beginning of June the kilns were built up. The floor of the kiln was paved with stones. Dried whins were burned till the rocks were hot. The dried tangles of seaweed were then burnt. Part of the seaweed melted. It was similar to porridge.

All along the coast during the early part of June the white, oily smoke from many kilns would be floating skyward. The smell of smoke was so strong that folk in Cushendun could tell when people in Carnlough or Rathlin were burning kelp.

When cold, kelp was a bluish colour, hard as a rock, and heavier.

When the kelp was ready the kelp burners from the Giant's Causeway to Cushendun were notified by the agent in Ballycastle to bring in their kelp. The postcards would come about the 10* June with the order "No gravel stones or sand."

From Torr the kelp would be taken by boat to Cushendun and then by cart to Ballycastle or sometimes to Carnlough.

There was a kelp burning kiln in Cushendun where Shane's Park now is.