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Thanks to Rachel McKenna, from Co. Offaly, who sent in this account of the amazing meadow and ‘summer spiral’ created this year in her garden – by simply reducing grass-cutting. The result is pretty to look at, allows a meandering … Continued

Tom Butler, Chair of Ballincollig Tidy Towns, explains how they created a pollinator corridor through their community   Ballincollig is located on the western side of Cork and up until 2019 was part of the County of Cork. With a … Continued

Botanist Dr Noeleen Smyth explains why the word ‘wild’ should be removed from those ubiquitous wildflower seed packets popping up in every store   Spring fever has gripped, I have just moved house, and am full of enthusiasm for my … Continued

I am often asked, “should I plant wildflower seed?” My answer is always that pollinators themselves would say “no”. Would I sow wildflower seed in my own garden? I might put some in a patio pot, but there is absolutely … Continued

We are incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to coordinate the implementation of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan (AIPP) 2015-2020. Through management of this initiative on biodiversity conservation, and through working in collaboration with all our partners, we have learned … Continued

– Rethinking the wildflower meadow By Yvonne Buckley, Professor of Zoology, Trinity College Dublin There’s something madly romantic about a sea of poppies and cornflowers shimmering in a summer breeze. We imagine lazing in this mirage of a wildflower meadow, … Continued

Since the publication of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan in 2015, local authorities across the island have offered support and adopted pollinator-friendly policies. In addition to training parks staff on actions, reducing mowing, and switching to pollinator-friendly planting, staff in many … Continued

Anne Sundermann, Ricky Whelan and Brian Gaynor explain how natural meadows are flourishing under management practices of the Irish Wildlife Trust Laois/Offaly branch New meadow in a housing estate in Portlaoise One of the best and most successful ways for … Continued