Waterford will host its first Wild Bee Festival on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd August at Waterford Education Support Centre.

The Wild Bee Festival is an annual event run by the National Biodiversity Data Centre as part of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. It is a weekend of walks, talks and workshops for community groups, raising awareness of Ireland’s pollinators and how to help them in our communities.

The 2026 Festival is coordinated by the National Biodiversity Data Centre in collaboration with B Corridor, a biodiversity action group based in Waterford City.

What to Expect

The festival will take place in the Waterford Education Support Centre, featuring a series of talks led by biodiversity experts and community groups on pollinators and the simple , evidence-based actions we can take to help them. Talks will include: ‘How Communities can Help Pollinators’, an introduction to Community Biodiversity Action Plans led by FERs ecologist Ciarán Byrne, and a guided walk of the Maypark Nature Trail led by B Corridor. Other speakers include Waterford Trees for Life, ecologist Dr Fiona MacGowan, the Three Sisters Women’s Shed and the Déise Men’s Shed. Saturday afternoon will also feature the ‘Cross Pollination station’ led by artist Siobhán Clancy - a creative drop in space to process new information about wild bees, swap ideas and learn about bees in the arts, health, folk tradition, and mythology.

Kate Chandler, Communities Pollinator Officer for the National Biodiversity Data Centre joined Ollie and Dymphna on air. She said:

“This is the fifth annual Wild Bee Festival, and the first one to be held in Waterford. Every year the festival is a chance for community groups to come together and learn how to help biodiversity in their towns and villages. We’re delighted to be partnering with B Corridor to hold this year’s festival, a group who have done exceptional work for pollinators and biodiversity here in Waterford. If you have ever wanted to find out more about wild bees and how to help them in your community, this is the event for you!”

Admission is free but booking is required.

More information, including a full programme and booking link, can be found on the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan website: https://pollinators.ie/wildbeefestival/

Keep up to date on all the latest from The Big Breakfast Blaa with Ollie and Dymphna from 6am until 10am daily.