07/06/2026
Fantastic work by Newport Tidy Towns and Newport Mayo in promoting ways to help nature after dark. Many of our fruit crops are pollinated by nocturnal insects so planting a Moon Garden (like the one in Newport!) can really help them (as well as low levels of lighting of course).
For more information on which species to use and for other ideas for promoting nocturnal pollinators, check out the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan for protecting Nocturnal Pollinators which we were proud to collaborate onhttps://pollinators.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/AIPP-Nocturnal-Guide-2023-WEB.pdf
Dark Sky Ireland TidyTowns Ireland Newport Mayo Newport Astronomy Club Wild Nephin National Park - Páirc Náisiúnta Néifinne Fiáine Biodiversity Ireland The Heritage Council
As the sun sets, the Moon Garden comes to life. Created by Newport Tidy Towns this special garden is packed with beautiful, scented flowers that attract moths, beetles, bats, and other night-time pollinators. These often-overlooked creatures play a huge role in keeping our ecosystems healthy and thriving. By planting species like honeysuckle, red campion, and night-scented stock, we’re creating a welcoming space for wildlife while adding beauty to our community. The Moon Garden, located beside the medical centre on the bank to the viaduct, is a simple reminder that even after dark, nature is hard at work – and together we can help it flourish.
Wild Nephin National Park - Páirc Náisiúnta Néifinne Fiáine Mayo Dark Skies
