Decision on mussel farm in Kinsale delayed for almost a year due to the amount of opposition

A petition was signed by more than 5,000 people and there were some 147 appeals against the licence being granted to Paul Barlow, who runs Woodstown Bay Shellfish, in May

Some of the large turn out in June on Dock beach protesting the proposed mussel farm up for planning inside Kinsale harbour. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

A decision on appeals against the granting of a licence for a massive mussel farm more than three times the size of Aviva Stadium in Cork will now not be made for almost a year.

The Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board had been due to make a decision on the farm near the harbour in Kinsale at the start of October.

But it has received widespread opposition from local residents, and businesses. A petition was signed by more than 7,000 people and there were some 147 appeals against the licence being granted to Paul Barlow, who runs Woodstown Bay Shellfish, in May.

The board has now decided to put back its decision until October 5, 2026.

When he approved the mussel farm in May, Agriculture Minister Martin Haydon said it was “in the public interest to grant the licence sought”. 

Among his reasons to grant it were that it would have “a positive effect on the economy of the local area” and there would be “no significant impacts on the marine environment”. He also said “public access to recreational and other activities can be accommodated” by the 23.1-hectare site.

But opponents say it will damage the environment and will not only have no benefit to the local economy, but will actually damage it.

Kinsale residents fear that when the mussels get harvested by a dredger every 18 months or so, tonnes of pollutants, sludge, and silt will be dislodged, wrecking the water for sea swimmers at harvest time. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

They have also said that given the farm will generate only six new jobs over four years, and given harvesting will be done by a boat coming from outside Kinsale, they cannot see any tangible economic benefits.

Mr Barlow was formally informed by the secretary of the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board on Tuesday. In its letter, it said that while the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 requires the board to make a determination on an appeal within four months of receiving an appeal to a decision by the minister, this is now not possible.

“The board reviewed this timescale at its meeting on October 6, 2025, and has formed the view that it will not be in position to determine this appeal by that date, due to having to consider the logistics of managing the appeals given the number of appellants and assessing all the issues raised in each appeal.

“Accordingly, the board hereby gives notice of its intention to determine the appeal by October 5, 2026.” 

The decision follows a notice by the board to the minister of agriculture. It told Mr Heydon that the board had received a total of 147 appeals against the decision to grant permission for the farm.

The board told him that it could — “in its discretion” — treat two or more appellants as parties to a single appeal.

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Its decision to delay its determination is the latest development in a process started in December 2018, when Mr Barlow first applied for the licence.

Kinsale residents fear that when the mussels get harvested by a dredger every 18 months or so, tonnes of pollutants, sludge, and silt will be dislodged, wrecking the water for sea swimmers at harvest time.

Supporters of the plan believe the “farm” will actually have a hugely positive impact because, by acting as natural water filters, the mussels — also known as the “liver of the river” due to their ability to filter up to 15 gallons of water a day — will actually help purify the water in the harbour.