THE DOWNTURN in the building industry has resulted in increased harvests for the Arramara Teo seaweed factory in Cill Chiaráin in west Connemara.
The development represents a significant change in fortunes for Arramara Teo, one of the longest surviving Gaeltacht industries, which had been losing money as its yearly throughput of seaweed had dropped to 12,000 tonnes.
When Údarás na Gaeltachta took over Arramara Teo, a target of 25,000 tonnes per year was set. This target was exceeded in 2008 and 2009 as unemployment soared. There was a 25 per cent increase in the jobless rate in west Connemara from early October until Christmas of 2008.
There are fears, however, that as the rush back to the seashore continues, seaweed will become scarcer. It takes four to seven years for seaweed to grow back to its full length and volume.
