Pilot sites in Limerick identified for practical testing of biodiversity-friendly land management

BALLYHOURA Development has selected five pilot sites across Limerick and Cork to take part in the PolliConnect Living Lab.
These sites will demonstrate how innovative mowing techniques can support wildflowers and improve habitats for pollinators.
The Living Lab approach allows practical testing of biodiversity-friendly land management in real community and business settings.
At each site, Ballyhoura Development staff will introduce modified mowing regimes designed to increase flowering plants, providing essential food sources and shelter for pollinating insects.
Among the site locations are the Parochial House, Granagh, the Castleoaks Hotel, Castleconnell, Ballyorgan Community School Field, Barnahown in Mitchelstown and Slí Eile Farm, Burton Park, Churchtown.

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The grounds of the Parochial House in Granagh, currently managed by volunteers from Granagh Tidy Towns, include an established wildflower meadow.
The PolliConnect Living Lab will explore how novel mowing techniques can further enhance this habitat.
In Castleconnell, part of the grounds of Castleoaks Hotel will be managed by Ballyhoura Development staff as part of the project. Pollinator monitoring will be supported by volunteers from Castleconnell Tidy Towns, incorporating a citizen science element into the site.
The community school field in Ballyorgan, managed by the Ballyorgan Community Group, is located adjacent to the local preschool.
This site provides an opportunity to integrate biodiversity awareness with community and educational settings.
PolliConnect is a €7.1 million European project working to halt the decline of wild pollinators across North-West Europe.
The initiative is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Interreg North-West Europe Programme and runs from 2025 to 2029.
The project brings together 14 partners across six countries to restore pollinator habitats through practical land management, technology, Living Labs and citizen science.
Ballyhoura Development CLG leads the capacity building work package and is responsible for delivering Ireland’s Living Lab activities across the Ballyhoura region.
Ballyhoura Development is a community-led Local Development Company, and a registered charity, which works with communities, families, individuals, and businesses in the Ballyhoura region of east Limerick and north Cork.
PolliConnect aims to increase pollinator biodiversity indicators by 20% in pilot areas, establish and test seven Living Labs across five countries, develop innovative tools, including AI-powered wild bee monitoring and support communities, landowners and local authorities with practical guidance
The next phase of the project will provide opportunities for community members to learn more about pollinators, take part in citizen science monitoring and contribute to tracking the impact of new mowing methods.