Inishturk Island, Co. Mayo, Ireland — March 23, 2026
A remote island community off Ireland’s west coast is set to become home to the country’s first dedicated native honey bee sanctuary, in a project aimed at protecting one of Europe’s most threatened pollinators.
The initiative, approved by the Inishturk Community Development Company, will see the establishment of a sanctuary for the Apis mellifera mellifera, Ireland’s only native honey bee. The project is led by Dr. Sean O’Connor, founder of Wild Atlantic Honey & Mead, and will begin in April 2026.
Located approximately 15 kilometres offshore in the Atlantic Ocean, Inishturk offers a naturally isolated environment that researchers believe could support the development of a biosecure, varroa-free honey bee population. Declines in native honey bee populations across Ireland and Europe — driven largely by the parasitic mite Varroa destructor — have raised growing concern for biodiversity and food systems.
The sanctuary will begin with two pilot hives, with plans to expand into a sustainable colony if successful. The project is expected to serve as a model for other offshore locations seeking to protect native pollinators and develop pollinator-positive environments.
The initiative also includes proposals for a community-supported designation of Inishturk as a protected bee sanctuary, with measures to prevent the introduction of non-native bees in order to safeguard a biosecure environment.
Advanced hive monitoring technology will play a central role in the project. Each hive will be fitted with BroodMinder sensors, providing continuous data on temperature, humidity, hive weight and activity levels. This real-time data will be accessible via a dedicated online platform, allowing both researchers and the public to monitor hive health and compare conditions with mainland colonies in County Mayo.
Dr. Sean O’Connor said: “This project is an important step toward protecting Ireland’s native honey bee in what we hope will remain a biosecure, pollinator-positive island environment.”
Aidan O’Toole, Chair of the Inishturk Community Development Company, added: “We are proud to support this initiative, which strengthens biodiversity on the island while showcasing the ecological importance of remote communities.”
Further information and live hive data will be available at
www.nativeirishbeesanctuary.com
