Our friends of the Wild Bee Festival had their fourth such festival in June 2025, and our committee member Hans Zomer put together a wonderful article plus a couple of short films, which we happily added to our YouTube channel, as it’s worth spreading what they are saying! Here is Hans’ article, a version of which was published in the latest edition of Skerries News.

Skerries Wild Bee Festival: A buzzing celebration of nature and community

Skerries was alive with excitement on 20-22 June 2025 as the Skerries Wild Bee Festival brought together nature lovers, biodiversity experts and local residents to celebrate and learn about our vital pollinators.

Organised by volunteers from the Skerries Mills Community Garden and funded by Fingal County Council, the festival highlighted the power of small actions in reversing the decline of bees and biodiversity.

The Skerries Wild Bee Festival organising committee includes members who are also part of Sustainable Skerries. The festival aligns closely with our aims: restoring biodiversity, protecting pollinators and encouraging community action for climate and nature.

The festival’s opening night featured a screening of “The Plight of the Bumblebee,” a documentary by Brenda Castles exploring the cultural and ecological importance of bees in Ireland, complete with live traditional music and interviews with bee advocates including Skerries’ own Charlie and Marion Heasman.

Other festival highlights included a passionate keynote from Professor Jane Stout, one of Ireland’s leading pollination ecologists, who praised Skerries for being “a shining example of community action for nature.”

Workshops, nature walks, and talks brought practical and hopeful solutions to life.

A walking tour of the Skerries Biodiversity Corridor showcased how local efforts, including Sustainable Skerries’ own pollinator-friendly planting and Open Orchards work, are making a real difference.

We applaud everyone involved in this inspiring event. It was a strong reminder that when we plant, protect and connect with nature we really can help our town thrive.

To learn more or get involved in Sustainable Skerries’ pollinator and biodiversity efforts, follow us on social media or drop by one of our upcoming events.