The Dublin Honey Project was founded by Architect Gearóid Carvill and photographer Kieran Harnett. They are working with various Dublin groups on their mission to produce raw honey from each of the postcodes of the city. They are currently working with Belvedere College and have set up an apiary on their rooftop as part of their Urban Farm initiative in Dublin 1. They have also established an apiary in the apple orchards of UCD, and developed retail relationships with Fumbally, Indigo & Cloth and the Irish Design Shop.

It seems like a far cry from the worlds of design and photography, but both Kieran and Gearóid see this as an extension of their practice. “When I started as a photographer it was all very hands-on and tangible, there was no photo-shop and sitting at a computer all day so, for me, beekeeping fulfils that desire to get out in the open, work with my hands and not be stuck in an office,” explained Kieran in a recent article in Totally Dublin. While Gearóid echoed that sentiment, “from my design background I’m interested in narrative and how things are presented, whether I’m talking abut a route through a building or landscaping a garden. Beekeeping is a way of really engaging with nature and we had this amazing story about producing honey so it seemed natural to try and make it into a brand and let the packaging tell the story.”

Gearóid and Kieran will speak at Pecha Kucha with Sean Harrington (Sean Harrington Architects), Anne Bedos (Rothar), Esther Gerrard (Bloom Fringe), Manchan Magan (RTE/TG4/The Irish Times), Hollie Kearns and Rosie Lynch (Callan Workhouse Union), Douglas Carson (Carson and Crushell), Emmet Condon (Homebeat) and Sam Tranum (Liberties Press).

If you’re unfamiliar with the Pecha Kucha format, here it is in a nutshell: speakers get 20 slides, and 20 seconds to explain each. This is no excuse to talk through the technicalities of their work, but to provoke us into thinking about themes and issues that effect us all. Pecha Kucha is a not-for-profit event and is brough to you by Irish Architecture Foundation and Totally Dublin.

Wednesday 22 July, 7pm, The Sugar Club. Tickets are available on the door for just €5 and that includes a free Peroni beer.