Cork’s coastline has always been a defining presence in Billy Hosford’s life. Born in Crosshaven, then raised in Blackrock on a diet of surfing, sailing and swimming, his love of the sea led him to first study Marine Technology in Plymouth before travelling the globe for a few years, until he landed on another island nation, Barbados.
Life in the Caribbean was kind to the Corkman; Billy set up a successful restaurant and art gallery and welcomed three children. But in 2019, the family decided to return to Ireland, choosing Kinsale to put down roots.
“Moving back was hard, but definitely the best thing I ever did,” Billy reflects. “Ireland is where my heart is.”
Living in Kinsale has allowed Billy to fully enjoy his other passion in life – good local food of which there is an abundance in the town.
He was inspired to get involved in West Cork’s vibrant food producer scene and late last year he began work on Salt of Kinsale, a pure, unprocessed sea salt that is harvested by hand.
“The taste of salt water when you’re having fun in the ocean is such a wonderful thing,” Billy says. “I wanted to capture that essence in something simple and natural.”
Billy’s approach to salt-making is as organic and low-tech as it gets. He collects seawater by hand from a secluded cove near the Old Head of Kinsale, gently filtering it before transferring it to trays in his polytunnels. From there, nature takes over. The sun and the breeze work together to evaporate the water over four to six weeks, leaving behind pure, mineral-rich sea salt crystals.
This slow, sustainable process results in a product that is as close to the sea as possible – unrefined, unprocessed, and packed with the unique flavour of the Atlantic.
Sustainability is at the core of Salt of Kinsale. Believing we are all just custodians of the land, Billy is passionate about protecting Ireland’s natural environment, particularly its woodlands and coastal habitats.
“These pockets of nature are in decline all over Ireland and need help,” he explains. “That’s why I wanted to create a food business that’s gentle on the environment.”
His salt-making process uses no artificial energy – just time, wind, and sunshine. It’s a return to traditional methods, producing a truly local food product with minimal impact on the planet.
Brian Wilson of Wilson Creative brought Billy’s vision to life through thoughtful design and branding. “Brian’s not just a great designer—he’s someone I can bounce ideas off and who gives me real support.”
Billy’s first goal is to ensure Salt of Kinsale’s original product is embraced in its hometown but he hopes to expand his range soon, introducing new salt blends infused with locally sourced flavours.
“My friend Richie Doorman grows fantastic veg, so I’d love to create a West Cork chilli salt with him,” he says. “And the combination of seaweed and salt is just incredible, I definitely want to explore that more.”
For those looking to experience the unique flavour of Salt of Kinsale, it is currently available in select stores in Kinsale and Cork City. Follow the brand on social media for updates. www.saltofkinsale.ie
