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An endangered native honeybee has been reintroduced to Newry by members of Greater Armagh Road Men's Shed, through a project supported by the Housing Executive. Based at Lisdrumgullion Park, the group's seven hives are now home to 300,000 native Irish black bees.
Martin Kearns, Chair of Greater Armagh Road Men's Shed, said the project began last year following interest from some of the group's members to learn about beekeeping. He said: "One of our members, Peter Haughey, is now a bee specialist and looks after our hives, and thanks to the Housing Executive's support we're now able to make our own honey for the local community." He added: "When I first put on the suit it was a surreal experience but it's very relaxing spending time outside with the bees, and it's all the better knowing we're giving something back to the environment." Kearns said the project offered a great opportunity to engage with local schools and show them the value of bees and pollinators, and that the group was also trying to reintroduce old Irish plants like native wildflowers, which make a good food source for the bees.
Through a £2,306 community involvement grant, the Housing Executive supported the Men's Shed to purchase a honey extractor, beekeeping overalls, a honey warmer cabinet as well as jars for their local honey. Attending the Housing Community Network also opened up opportunities for members to glean beekeeping tips from the Housing Executive's own beekeeping expert.
Gerard Smith, Good Relations Officer at the Housing Executive, said Greater Armagh Road Men's Shed presented their idea to bring the native Irish black bee back to Newry at the Housing Community Network. He said: "They received overwhelming support, and since they started the project, the men have gained new skills and built connections in the community." Smith said it was great to see the group encouraging local residents to prioritise health and wellbeing by spending time outside, and to take care of their neighbourhood and environment.
Aisling Pyers, Assistant Area Manager at the Housing Executive, said the organisation was adopting a nature positive way of working throughout its estates, with promoting pollinators a key part of this. She said: "We're delighted to have helped an endangered native species to thrive in this area, which is benefitting the local environment, our tenants and the surrounding community."
