Ireland has always looked to the sea to sustain its people in good times and bad. Irish people have utilised seaweeds through history for food, commercial extracts and agriculture. Some seaweeds are especially linked to Ireland, such as carrigeen or 'Irish moss' which is known around the world.
In modern times our connection with seaweeds, which are scientifically classified as algae, is emphasised by the world class database on marine algae, Algaebase, maintained by Professor. Michael Guiry and his team in the Martin Ryan Institute, NUI Galway.