Winner of Schools' Label Design Competition for Aughnagun Honey Jars Announced  

A competition to produce a label design for jars of honey produced by the native Irish black honeybees that were rehomed last June at the old landfill site at Aughnagun near Mayobridge saw hundreds of colourful entries from local primary school children.

Leah Campbell, from St Dallan’s Primary School in Warrenpoint, designed the winning label after entering the competition run by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council for local primary school children in the catchment area of Aughnagun.  Pupils were asked to create an eye-catching, colourful image depicting pollination, honeybees, flowers or honey.  Out of hundreds of entries Council Chairperson, Councillor Michael Savage revealed three finalists at a prizegiving ceremony held in Monaghan Row Civic Centre on Tuesday 28 February. 

While first place went to Leah, who will see her design placed on all jars of Aughnagun honey, second and third place went to Rose McKibbin, Ballyholland Primary School and Lily McPolin, St Paul’s Primary School, Cabra.  All three winners were presented by the Chairperson with £50 vouchers as part of their prize. 

Talking about the incredible response the from local primary schools to the competition, Chairperson, Councillor Michael Savage said, “The rehoming of the Irish black honeybees has really been an inspiring project and one that has captured the attention of our local residents.  Now through initiatives such this primary school competition, it has given us a further opportunity to educate our young people on the importance our local wildlife and biodiversity and looking after important pollinators such as our native honeybees.

“I have been really impressed by the incredible designs we have received for participants and congratulate Leah, Rose and Lily for being selected from so many entries.  I especially look forward to seeing Leah’s colourful design on the Aughnagun honey labels this year. 

“Not only have we been working in partnership with County Louth Beekeepers and others to place the beehives at the Aughnagun site, we have used the first extraction of honey to raise money for charity and as donations to local foodbanks.  Now the label competition has enabled us to inspire our local young people and more initiatives for our Aughnagun honey are still in the pipeline.”