Towards a Sustainable future for Clare Island.

In 2023, we took soil samples from a number of sites on the island owned by local farmers, the McCabes, and had them tested in association with Minch Maltings for suitability for growing barley. The results showed that the land was starved of nutrients due to a lack of consistent fertilisation, due to grazing of animals.

Ian McCabe, began a campaign of fertilisation with lime and seaweed taken from the beach after storms over the winter months. In late spring, when the rain finally stopped, Minch Maltings sponsored the barley seed which was specifically chosen for the exposed Wild Atlantic conditions. We planted two separate test sites.

As of today, one site is showing superior growth to the other. However both are looking good for harvest in early September (2024). We do not have any modern tillage or harvest equipment on the island, so we will be doing it all by hand in the traditional way. To that end, we will be looking for help and advice from the older generation to educate and guide us. The rational harvesting methods are a skill almost gone from the island, which we hope to revive.

To celebrate the event, we plan on having a harvest moon party. We will have samples of the barley tested to determine if it is suitable for use in a mash bill for distillate. Our ultimate aim is to use barley grown on the island in the creation of our Island spirits.

We will learn and trial and develop a knowledge base here on the island so that when we build our own distillery, we will have the expertise to help Clare Island farmers make the transition from grazing to cultivation with the potential to improve our biodiversity and farming economics and provide an excellent crop for Clare Island Whiskey.

See Carl talking about this exciting project on our Facebook Page here:
https://www.facebook.com/clareislandwhiskey/videos/1644187562984200