Irish moss harvest video a social media hit for P.E.I. couple

When Lynn Dorgan of North Cape, P.E.I., captured video of her husband collecting Irish moss with his horse last week she thought her Facebook friends might like it, never expecting nearly 23,000 views.

The video shows Micky Dorgan and his horse Rex raking the stormy North Cape shoreline for Irish moss.

"It's kind of a common thing for us, right? We see it every day," said Lynn.

Irish moss harvesting has been a way of life for many people along the shores of P.E.I., including Micky, who has been at it for more than 50 years.

The seaweed is a source of carrageenan, used in food processing as a thickening agent.

But Micky keeps at it. He says that's mainly because Rex likes to work.

"He's a good horse, a real good horse. Good for the job. In a storm, you don't mind being on his back," said Micky.

As for the video's appeal, Micky said, "My son-in-law told me about it and I didn't believe none of it. So then I came home and asked [Lynn] and she said, 'Ya, it's true.'"