FLY BEE
Sweet success for Dublin Airport as it sells honey from hives on its land
PASSENGERS travelling through Dublin Airport will now be able to take some sweet nect-air with them.
Earlier this year, more than 250,000 bees that live on the travel hub’s lands produced their first batch of honey.
And now Nect-air will be on sale in the airport in the Marquette restaurant for €9.95.
The 100% natural Irish honey is harvested from four hives which house more than a quarter of a million native Irish dark bees.
Dublin Airport managing director Vincent Harrison said: “We are very proud of this top quality honey as it was produced on our own land and is testament to the fact the air quality and surrounding vegetation at Dublin Airport is excellent for the bees to thrive.”
Introducing native Irish bees to the local Dublin Airport environment helps biodiversity, as bees are essential pollinators.
Colonies of bees can cover up around eight square miles as they collect food.
The airport’s hives were installed with the help and advice of the Fingal North Dublin Beekeepers’ Association and the Department of Agriculture, Food
Airport’s Emer Tierney & restaurant boss Michael Thornton and the Marine. They are tended to by Colm Fogarty, who has 15 years’ experience in beekeeping.
The 250,000strong colony in the airport’s apiary feed on nearby wild plants such as clover, blackberry, bramble and hawthorn.
Mr Fogarty said: “This blend of flora gives Nect-air its pleasantly mild, gently sweet flavour, along with its rich texture, warming amber hue, delicate aroma and slightly nutty undertone.”
Passengers travelling through Dublin Airport will find the honey on sale at Marqette’s main outlet, which is located beyond the security screening area in Terminal 1.
Its general manager Michael Thornton added: “We pride ourselves on serving dishes made from locally grown fresh produce and Nect-air is a perfect fit for us.
“This partnership with Dublin Airport also helps us keep our promise to contribute to a more sustainable environment.”
Number of hives on airport land which house 250,000 bees