By Michele Lea Robinson
Special to The Irish American Post
 

This year, the West Coast of Ireland can be found on the West Coast of Lake Michigan. The popular Seavite line of seaweed-based body products, arrived this February at Crème, in Whitefish Bay, Wis. Créme is the only such outlet carrying the products in the States.

The boutique bath and body outlet, 5589 N. Diversey Blvd., offers one-of-a-kind care products from Italy, France, Israel, South America and other exotic locales. The shop was established in 2004, with Percy in partnership with her daughter, Katie Segel.

"I loved Seavite. I even brought some back from Ireland and gave it to my friends," shop owner Pam Percy said of the line. She discovered Seavite while on business in northwest Ireland in 2004 with her husband, Martin Hintz, publisher of The Irish American Post. Percy found the product while exploring the town of Westport, site of the holy mountain of Croagh Patrick and other historic attractions.

Failing to find an outlet caring the line in the States, Percy contacted the family-owned body products firm in Ireland. "Now we just need to get the word out the to Irish community," Percy said.

Seaweed cultivated off the western coast of Ireland has long been used for its regenerative properties. Early cultures used seaweed for its healing properties and, since the 19th century, seaweed baths have been offered at resorts and spas as a way to release toxins and revive the body’s energy, according to Kaye Mulrooney, owner of Seavite.

Seavite is a popular line distributed in pharmacies, department stores and
health and gift shops throughout Ireland. It is made of unaltered seaweed and guaranteed to be Ph balanced, biodegradable, not tested on animals, and free from animal derivatives, according to company officials. Much of the seaweed is harvested off the Mayo and Kerry coasts. Several varieties are used, depending on the amino acids, trace elements and other properties that are needed, said Mulrooney

Mulrooney and her late husband, Patrick, launched the Seavite line of bath and shower gel in 1993. Patrick Mulrooney was a scientist specializing in the utilization of natural plant resources in various products. After finalizing an assignment with the Ireland’s Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (DCMNR), he became interested in the therapeutic merit of seaweed, which then became the main focus of his work. Mulrooney died of cancer in 2003 and his wife and family stepped in to direct the company.

The Mulrooneys’ daughters, Dr. Jane, 28, and Dr. Katherine Mulrooney, 27, currently work with developing new products. Both are physicians currently conducting research at St. John's Institute of Dermatology in London. Son James, 32, is the company’s financial director. Headquartered in Galway, the labs are located in Claremorris, Co. Mayo. The company has 20 employees, including two chemists.

The current line includes shampoos, conditioners, bath and shower gels and face cream. Crème is able to fill special orders by email and purchasers can go to www.seavit.ie for a complete list of products and prices

Crème also carries Naturally Irish bath salts and soaps that are wrapped in pure Irish linen, which can later be used as an exfoliating cloth, according to Percy. The shipment of Heather and Moss and Sweet Lavender scented bath salts and soaps has sold well since its arrival in December, Percy said. The bath salts also include Irish moss or seaweed in the list of ingredients and the soaps are all natural, vegetable-based, and handmade.

Subsequently, the next-best-thing to traveling across the Atlantic Ocean is visiting Créme for Ireland’s quality soaps and shampoos. On Sundays, 15% of the day’s profits go to charity.

For more information about Seavite, check its web site at www.seavite.ie, or Créme at www.cremeboutique.com.