Rooted in the Land, Inspired by the Sea

I grew up on a small family farm overlooking Bantry Bay, on Ireland's wild southwest coast. Seaweed was woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. For generations, families along this coastline had gathered seaweed from the shore, spreading it on their fields to nourish the soil and encourage a plentiful harvest. It was a simple, age-old tradition, born from an understanding of the natural world and the incredible gifts of the sea.

As time passed, much of this traditional knowledge began to fade. But my fascination with seaweed never did. I wanted to rediscover the wisdom of those who came before us and find a way to bring this remarkable natural ingredient into our everyday lives once again. And so, the seeds of WASI were sown.

Of course, none of this would be possible without my wonderful partner, Eli, whose connection to the sea runs every bit as deep as my own. He could swim before he could walk! At just ten years old, he and his younger brother would sneak out of the house before dawn to join the fishermen on their boats in Bantry Harbour. By twelve, he was already skippering a boat, and the sea has been part of his working life ever since.

Whether he's out fishing, wandering the shoreline or greeting the sunrise at the helm of the local ferry, Eli is never happier than when he's close to the water. I often think the sea is as much a part of him as the land is of me.

And then there's my mum, who deserves a very special mention. A farmer through and through, she was absolutely heartbroken when I announced I was leaving my career in architecture to start a seaweed skincare business! It certainly wasn't the future she had imagined for me. But despite her reservations, she has been one of my greatest supporters from the very beginning. Almost every day, once she's finished her own work on the farm, she comes down to join me, rolling up her sleeves to help with bottling, labelling and whatever else needs doing. There's something lovely about working side by side, while she still gives out to me on a daily basis about my life choices we also share stories and laughter while filling our little bottles with the very seaweed that has been part of our family's life for generations. I couldn't do it without her.

Together, we've poured our hearts into WASI, creating natural skincare inspired by the place we call home. We make our products by hand in small batches, carefully blending beautiful botanical ingredients with hand-harvested Irish seaweed.

For us, seaweed has always been so much more than an ingredient. It represents our heritage, our connection to the land and ocean, and a way of keeping the traditions of our ancestors alive. Rich in minerals and trace elements, this extraordinary marine plant continues to fascinate and inspire us.

What began as a personal passion has grown into a little family business, rooted firmly in West Cork but finding its way into homes and hearts much further afield.

And that, perhaps, is what brings us the greatest joy — knowing that every little bottle and jar carries something of our home, our heritage and our love of the sea.

From our family on the shores of Bantry Bay, we hope you enjoy a little piece of Ireland.

Cold Mornings, Wild Shores

Along Ireland's wild Atlantic coast, the harvesting of seaweed has always been guided by the rhythms of nature. The moon governs the tides, and the tides decide when the sea will reveal its treasures. Sometimes that means a leisurely morning on the shore, but more often it means rising long before the birds have begun their morning chorus.

In the early days of WASI, we hand-harvested every piece of seaweed ourselves. There was something quite magical about those mornings — breathing in the crisp air, surrounded by towering rocks, the salt water lapping against our wellies and curious seagulls calling overhead. Above all, there was that wonderful sense of timelessness, of being part of a tradition stretching back through generations of Irish coastal life. The cups of Barry’s tea that followed, on the rocks after a mornings work couldn’t be beaten by the fanciest cafes in the world!

Since the arrival of our two daughters, life has taken on a different rhythm. Today, we work with experienced Irish hand-harvesters who share our respect for the ocean and its remarkable natural resources. All the seaweed we use is hand-harvested from Irish waters, with the moon and tides continuing to dictate when nature's bounty can be gathered.

We still escape to the shoreline whenever we can with our two babies in tow. It's a place that never fails to inspire us and a reminder of why WASI began in the first place.

Once the seaweed reaches our little workshop in West Cork, another kind of magic begins. Infusing, blending and bottling — each stage is carried out with care, using beautiful natural ingredients and traditional methods. We make our products in small batches, taking pride in every little bottle and jar that leaves our hands.

And there is still something incredibly special about delivering our products to the independent shops that support us. Knowing that we are bringing a little of Ireland's seaweed heritage back into everyday life, sharing the natural treasures our ancestors valued so deeply, is a joy that never grows old.