Flora and fauna of remote Mayo region captured in new exhibition

Biodiversity officer with Mayo County Council, Sheila Murphy, launched I Measc na mBláth in Áras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet, on December 12 last.

'I Measc na mBláth' means ‘Among the Flowers’, and it is an apt title for a beautiful exhibition featuring the work of local photographers who captured a diverse range of colourful wildlife, flora and fauna in their natural environment in various locations around Belmullet town and Erris.

The photographic exhibition celebrates the commitment of Baile Slachtmhar Bhéal an Mhuirthead (Belmullet Tidy Towns) to conserving and preserving pollinator-friendly habitats in the local community and, in particular, to mark their extraordinary win as the 2025 National Winner of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan Award.

Upon launching the exhibition, Ms Murphy commended the hard work of the committee. She praised the volunteers’ deep understanding of their unique local habitats and she said that Belmullet’s sustained whole-community effort is a model example of what is possible in other places across the county and, indeed, the country.

The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan Award is sponsored by heritage offices and biodiversity offices of local authorities across Ireland, in partnership with the National Biodiversity Data Centre.

For years, Baile Slachtmhar Bhéal an Mhuirthead have worked tirelessly with other local groups, businesses, landowners and Mayo County Council to protect the Great Yellow Bumblebee, a rare pollinator now only found on the west coast. Their work includes developing meadows to encourage native wildflower growth and managing over 92,000 square metres of land for biodiversity.

In May 2025, an astonishing 690 marsh orchids appeared as a result of this hard work. The group have also eliminated pesticides for over 10 years, using several alternative methods to remove unwanted plants where necessary.

There are 67 photographs on display in the exhibition space, showcasing scenes of wildlife, flowers and landscapes – an abundant variety of biological diversity which can be appreciated all over the barony of Erris. The vivid and vibrant prints are the work of: Mary Keenaghan, Sadie Reilly, Karina Dingerkus, John Reilly, Dave Suddaby, Morris Hughes, Michael O’Donnell, Katherine Mangan and Margaret Tallott.

Tallott, a member of Baile Slachtmhar Bhéal an Mhuirthead, stated: “We are very grateful to our wonderful photographers who so generously donated their beautiful images, and to Sheila Murphy for launching the collection. Thanks must also go to local Councillors Seán Carey and Gerry Coyle for their support, and to Nuala Irwin for her help.

“Every photo is a reminder of what we do, and why we do it – for the bees, the flowers, the landscapes and for the generations who will, we hope, inherit them.

“Winning the national award is an endeavour that has taken several years and is a collaborative effort including our own volunteers, scheme workers, schools, farmers, youth groups, local businesses, our ecologist Karina Dingerkus, our horticulturist Seán Keane, Dave Suddaby of Birdwatch Ireland, Mayo County Council, Áras Inis Gluaire, LIFE on Machair, Corncrake LIFE, NPWS, Wild Nephin Ballycroy, Wild Atlantic Nature – we are all partners.”

Katherine Mangan, also of Baile Slachtmhar Bhéal an Mhuirthead, added: “We have so many different biodiversity projects and we are very proud of our children’s storybook, An Bhumbóg Mhór Bhuí ar Strae - The Great Yellow Bumblebee Goes Astray, and colouring book. We are immensely grateful to illustrator Jean Beard for all her hard work. The two books are available at the exhibition in Áras Inis Gluaire.”

I Measc na mBláth will exhibit in Áras Inis Gluaire until February 2 next year. The photographs range in price from €25 to €45 – many of which have already been sold. Admission to the exhibition is free and all sale proceeds will go towards biodiversity projects by Baile Slachtmhar Bhéal an Mhuirthead.