New project is just the bee’s knees

A NEW urban beekeeping project is being set up in Smithfield this year.

Bí will be the first beekeeping project in Dublin and will include a centre for taking care of the bees, training opportunities and a science shop.

A range of Bí products will be produced from the project including local honey, bee wax and pollen.

To raise awareness and funds for the project, a new range of natural, ethically produced skin products and bee attractors will shortly be appearing at markets across the city.
Soaps, seed bombs and foot soaks made from waste oils and foraged materials will be the the first products in the Bí range.

The artisan products will be hand-made in Stoneybatter using the principles of industrial ecology.

Bí will run throughout 2015 in currently deserted brownfield sites to provide accessible beekeeper training for local residents. There’ll also be a classroom and science shop for the Dublin Institute of Technology and local schools.

The project will commission research to address the flagging bee population and develop products that promote the health benefits provided by bees.

Bí is the first inititive of Lifeline, a large-scale project based initiative aimed at transforming Dublin’s North West Inner City over the next 10 years.

Lifeline will be providing new educational, healthcare, training and employment opportunities for local residents and reinvigorating the profile of the area through a series of ecological projects.

All projects will operate from 6 Rosemount Terrace, the iconic joinery building on Arbour Hill and the new home for Desireland’s research and implementation of urban ecology in Dublin’s Northwest Inner City.