AIB promotes pollinators with its rooftop apiary

Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c., originally named Allied Irish Banks Limited, was incorporated in Ireland on 21 September 1966 as a result of the amalgamation of three long established banks: the Munster and Leinster Bank Limited (established 1885), the Provincial Bank of Ireland Limited (established 1825) and the Royal Bank of Ireland Limited (established 1836). The Group conducts retail and commercial banking business in Ireland through an extensive branch network across the country, as well as its head office in Dublin. Following the disposals in 2010 and 2011 of a number of overseas businesses in the USA and Poland, AIB Group now has a limited but focused overseas presence which includes operations in the UK.

What was the Opportunity

Populations of honeybees, bumble bees and solitary bees all over Ireland have shrunk dramatically over the past three decades. A third of all species are now threatened with extinction. This matters because, as well as the honey we enjoy from honeybees, bees are responsible for pollinating our wildflowers and many fruit and vegetable crops, such as strawberries and apples. AIB wanted to raise awareness of bee decline and highlight the important role bees play in maintaining a healthy biodiversity in Ireland. This project enabled AIB to achieve these objectives, while simultaneously supporting the requests of a key customer – Boyne Valley Honey.

What was Achieved

AIB collaborated with Boyne Valley Honey and the Federation of Irish Beekeeping Associations to establish an apiary of four honeybee hives on the roof of AIB Bankcentre, Ballsbridge, Dublin. These hives are home to up to 200,000 bees, which fly as far as Howth, Phibsborough and Stillorgan, pollinating wild flowers and trees in parks and gardens and foraging for nectar. The four hives produce around 80 jars of honey each summer.

SOURCE: https://business.aib.ie/bees