Kilkenny County Council is one of a number of Local Authorities in Ireland who have adopted the All Ireland Pollinator Plan – a nationwide plan developed by the National Biodiversity Data Centre to help pollinators survive and thrive. As part of our Pollinator Action Plan for 2019 the Heritage Office of Kilkenny County Council funded Pollinator Prizes in the 2019 annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
The Kilkenny Filipino Community won the prize for the “Best Community” pollinator themed float and they kindly nominated the Villa Maria gardens at the home of the Sisters of Mercy, Talbots Inch where they love to spend time, as the recipient of their prize. Moneenroe National School won the prize for the “Best School” pollinator themed float.
Solitary Bee (Courtesy of National Biodiversity Data Centre
Each prize was a day’s free work (comprising a garden visit and a report) by Dr. Fiona McGowan, an experienced ecologist and botanist, to provide advice on enhancing an area for pollinators.
