Kilrea is a small market town on the west bank of the River Bann, where the river forms the historic boundary between County Londonderry and County Antrim. The Bann here runs broad and slow through a flood plain fringed by willow carr and alder, with meadowsweet, purple loosestrife and yellow flag iris giving productive late-summer forage for bees along the margins. The Agivey Water joins the Bann just to the north, adding further riverine habitat. Surrounding the town, the drumlin farmland of mid-Londonderry has dense hawthorn and blackthorn hedgerows that are exceptional in May blossom; sycamore lines the village streets and fills the small gardens around the Church of Ireland and the Diamond. The open arable fields toward Garvagh and Coleraine carry oilseed rape in most years.
Collectors attend swarms along the River Bann willow and alder margins north and south of the town, in the hawthorn hedgerows on the drumlin farm lanes toward Garvagh and Ahoghill, at the sycamore and ornamental trees around the Diamond and Church Street, along the Agivey Water margins north of the town, and in the eaves and roof voids of older village properties near the market square.
Nearest BBKA-affiliated associations to help with swarm collection and local advice.
BT26 6NH· approx. 66 km
CA24 3HZ· approx. 200 km
Visit websiteCA13 0AU· approx. 208 km
Association data sourced from the British Beekeepers Association directory via SwarmBase.
Coastal gorse on the north coast carries an early flow. Blackthorn, hawthorn and sycamore fill May. Lime dominates June in Derry, Coleraine and Limavady. The Sperrins contribute bell and ling heather from late July. The Roe and Bann valleys bring himalayan balsam into a strong late-summer flow; coastal sea-thrift and sea-aster at Magilligan add seasoning; ivy closes a long year on whitewashed cottage walls.
More on beekeeping in County LondonderryReport it in under a minute and a trained local beekeeper will arrange safe collection.
