‘Bug' interest as Bandon's new 6-star insect hotel grows legs

By Kieran O’Mahony

BOOKING is advisable at Bandon’s new six-star hotel as it’s proving hugely popular – with ladybirds and other insects.

Thanks to the team at Youthreach Bandon and Bandon Tidy Towns, a bug hotel is open for business at the park on Glasslyn Road, beside the Bandon River, and so far business has been brisk.

Laura O’Donovan, co-ordinator of Youthreach Bandon explained how it came about: ‘Bandon Tidy Towns received a grant for a bug hotel and I got in contact with them and suggested that some of our team could build it. 

‘Three members – Claudia, Michael and Zak – worked on building it and it only took them three weeks. They used the wood from the woodwork classes here, and the art supplies from the art class.’

The new hotel offers a safe and secure resting place within the park to help insects and bugs grow, pollinate and exist, using a variety of materials like strips of wood, straw, moss and dry leaves. It also offers a huge learning opportunity for children who can come and see the small visitors. ‘We installed the bug hotel in the park a few weeks ago and I went and checked the other day and saw a few bugs enjoying their new surroundings, which has all the elements in order to help them rest,’ added Laura.

Following this project Laura said the team at Youthreach Bandon are going to help maintain the park, which also has an outdoor gym, during the summer months and they also plan to liaise with the town’s rugby club on a green space project at the club’s grounds.

Youthreach Bandon operate a programme directed at unemployed young and early school leavers between the ages of 15 to 20. See ‘Youthreach Bandon’ on Facebook.