The Kelp House in Ballycastle, Northern Ireland

The Kelp House in Ballycastle, Northern Ireland

This derelict building on the western shores of Rathlin Island was once part of the community’s main source of trade: kelp. A large seaweed that thrives in shallow, nutrient-rich coastal waters, kelp varies in color, texture, and nutrients around the world, and has long been harvested for use in food, medicine, and even beauty products. The Kelp House was built in the mid-18th century by the Gage family, who purchased the island in 1746 when Rev…