Your Local Association

ULSTER

Co Armagh (1)

Armagh & Monaghan Association

Quiz Masters: Tom Canning & Vivian Brady

Executive Committee

Chairman
Ass. Chairman
Secretary
Treasurer
Thomas Williamson
Claire Smyth
David Eakin
Sean Barrett
Sean P McKenna

The Association meets on the second Wednesday of each month at Hughes Function Room, The Diamond, Middletown, Co Armagh.

We are running a beginners course starting on Wed 15th February @ 8pm. Contact any of the elected officers or members for more details.

Go to Top of Page

Co Donegal (3)

Foyle Association:

The association meets on the last Monday of each month from October to the following May in Greencastle Resource Centre which is located 3 miles north of Moville town. The association was founded in March 1999 and has grown from an initial seven members to the present twenty-three members spanning an area from Greencastle to Derry City to Malin Head.

Go to Top of Page

Inishowen Association:

Co Donegal Association:

The associations holds its meetings at Letterkenny, Co Donegal

Go to Top of Page

Co Cavan (1)

Co Cavan Association

Cavan Beekeepers' Association intends to hold a Beekeeping Course in early 2012. Enrolment night for the beginners course will be on the 23rd of February in Ballyhaise Agricultural college at 8 pm.

Go to Top of Page

Connacht

Co Mayo (3)

Ballyhaunis Association

Go to Top of Page

Co Mayo Association

The Association was founded in 1979. It holds its meetings at the Teagasc Centre, Bunree Road, Ballina, Co Mayo on the first Monday of each month with the exception of January and the summer months.

Go to Top of Page

Westport Association

Committee:

Gerry O Neill, Claremorris; Karen Dyra, Newport;
Eileen Hyland, Castlebar; Jude Walsh, Keenagh.

Go to Top of Page

Co Sligo / Co Leitrim(2)

Sligo/Leitrim Association

The Association meets on the second Monday of each month. The meetings take place in the Teagasc Centre in Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim at 8.p.m. For more information about our Association please visit our website at www.sligoleitrim-ba.org

Digges District Association

Go to Top of Page

Co Galway (2)

Connemara Association

The association holds monthly meetings on the second Sunday at 4pm. All members welcome.

A beginners course is commencing on Tuesday the 15th of November in Oughterard, further information from the website, or contact Shelia, e-mail: seamisthouse@gmail.com

For more information about our Association please visit our website at www.connemarabeekeepers.ie

Co Galway Association

The association holds regular meetings at the Teagasc Centre, Athenry, Co Galway.

For more information about our Association please visit our website at www.galwaybeekeepers.com

Go to Top of Page

Co Roscommon (1)

Suck Valley Association

The association meets on the first Tuesday of the month at The Community Centre, Ballygar, Co Galway.

Go to Top of Page

Munster

Co Clare (1)

Banner Association

Banner Beekeepers Second Annual Conference

Improving Your Local Bees

Date: 5th February, 2012

Venue: Falls Hotel, Ennistymon

Speakers:

• Micheál Mac Giolla Coda - "Assessing Your Colonies for Queen Rearing"
• Ben Harden - "My Method of Queen Rearing"
• Noel Power - "Queen Rearing for Honey Production"
• Keith Pierce - "My Experience of Queen Rearing"
• Tom Prendergast - "The Importance of the Drone in Queen Rearing"

Go to Top of Page

Co Limerick (1)

Co Limerick Association

The Association holds meetings at The Crescent College Comprehensive, Dooradoyle Road, Limerick

Meetings for the 2012 season will be held at 8.00pm on:

• Monday 13th February 2012
• Monday 12th March 2012
• Monday 9th April 2012
• Monday 14th May 2012
• Monday 11th June 2012
• Monday 10th September 2012
• Monday 8th October 2012 - Annual Honey Tasting evening
  An opportunity to sample this year's honey from our members bees.
• Monday 12th November 2012 - Association Annual General Meeting

More details of events taking place and planned can be found on the County Limerick Beekeepers Website at www.limerickbees.net

Non-members and people new to beekeeping will be made welcome at the meetings and for those wishing to join, memberships is still only €35 per year.

Beginners Courses in Beekeeping

County Limerick Beekeepers have the facilities to run beginners courses for beginners.

Courses and workshops are available providing sufficient numbers register interest.

Should you require further information on courses, workshops or public lectures in the Limerick area, please contact our Secretary, Liam Arrigan on 086 8070674 or visit the website at www.limerickbees.net

Go to Top of Page

Co Tipperary (2)

North Tipperary Association

The Association holds regular meetings in Thurles and these meetings are usually held on the second Wednesday of the month. However on occasion we do change the day, depending on availability of the hall, lecturers, or association personnel. If lectures are listed they will be held on the stated night. However it is best to check with the Secretary above for confirmation if you wish to attend.

Beginners Course

Location & Time: At Teagasc Offices, Nenagh Road, Thurles. All lectures start at 8.00 pm

Lectures:

• 1st Feb: Life History of the honeybee - Jim Ryan
• 15th Feb: Equipment and manipulation of the colony - Gerry Ryan
• 22nd Feb: Siting an apiary/ a years work with the bees - Tom Starr
• 29th Feb: Hygiene and Disease - Mary Ryan
• 7th March: Swarm Control - Jim Ryan*
• 21st March: Harvesting the crop - Gerry Ryan*

The dates for the 7th March and 21st March are provisional and may be changed to the previous or following day depending on what suits those doing the course. There is also the possibility of keeping the night and changing the venue.

Following the classes we will have three apiary demonstrations where full colonies of bees will be opened and all will have a chance to handle the bees.

As North Tipperary Beekeepers Association hold their meetings on Wednesday nights there are some gaps in the above dates. No beginners lectures will be held on the nights of Association meetings and anyone doing the course is welcome to attend.

Cost: €100

The cost includes:

• full membership of North Tipperary Beekeepers Association
• affiliation to the Federation of Irish Beekeepers Associations
• our monthly journal An Beachaire posted to you every month (no issue in August)
• third party insurance

The fee also includes a book on beekeeping.

Contact: Jim Ryan Thurles 087-9718494 / Tom Starr Nenagh 087-6697010

Go to Top of Page

South Tipperary Association

BeeKeeping Course

We are pleased to announce that South Tipp BKA is running a beekeeping course for beginners.

Avail of this opportunity to learn the basic skills of managing bees for the production of honey.

Information night in Raheen House Hotel on the 23rd January at 8pm. All are welcome

Participants will avail of:

• Full membership of Beekeepers Association and Insurance
• Twelve classes 6 theory classes and 6 practical outdoor demonstrations
• Opportunity to purchase bees
• Advice and mentoring service
• Beekeeping Book
• Handouts

Course content:

• Introduction
• Beekeeping Equipment
• The Biology of the bee
• Managing your bees
• Harvesting the crop
• Making your own hive

Course dates: 30th Jan, 13th Feb, 27th Feb, 12th Mar, 29th Mar, 2nd Apr.

Outdoor Demos Cahir: 17th Apr, 1th May, 15th May 29th May

Outdoor Demos Clonmel: 24th Apr, 8th May, 22nd May 19th June

Fee: €100. Payment on first night

Location: LIT college on the Clonmel bypass at 7:30pm

To book a place phone 087 9109360 or 052 6125600 or email tom@southtippbees.com tom@southtippbees.com

The association holds regular lectures and outdoor demonstrations. For further details about our activities contact any of the above or check out our website at www.southtippbees.com

Go to Top of Page

Co Waterford (2)

Co Waterford Association

Committee members are John O Connor,Pat Cullen and Dr.Jim Fleming.

All officers except the Secretary can be contacted collectively at watbees@eircom.net or undividually at their personal e-mails

The association hold their meetings in Dungarvan, Co Waterford.

The association will hold spring lectures and apiary workshops in the spring and summer. New members are always welcome.

Go to Top of Page

East Waterford Association

The association meetings are held in Waterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford.

We run our beginners course in Dunhill Ecopark where we have our association apiary

Go to Top of Page

Co Kerry (3)

The Kingdom Association

The association was formed in 2006. The association meetings are held in Tralee, Co Kerry

Go to Top of Page

Co Kerry Association

The association meetings are generally held in Killarney on the 3rd Thursday of the month and apiary demonstrations are held at a variety of locations throughout the county during the month of May

Determination of the amount of Annual Subscription: the Subscription remains at €35.00

Go to Top of Page

Cumann Beachairí Chorca Dhuibhne

Go to Top of Page

Killorglin Association

The association meet at 9:00pm, second Tuesday of every month except August at The Manor Inn, Iveragh Road, Killorglin, Co Kerry.

We have a club apiary which is used for training purposes on most Sunday afternoons from April onwards, weather and 'Bee's needs' permitting.

Go to Top of Page

The Iveragh Association

The Iveragh Association meet on the first Wednesday of every month in The Ring of Kerry Hotel, Caherciveen at 8pm

Go to Top of Page

Sliabh Luachra Association:

Go to Top of Page

Co Cork (8)

North Cork Association

Committee

Cathal McGrath, John Fenton, John Brown, Tom O'Shea, Sean Roche, Jim O'Regan, Ivan O'Connell, Helen McGrath.

The North Cork Beekeepers Association held their Annual General Meeting on the 14th of November 2011. The above officers and committee were elected,

The association was founded in 1972 and holds meetings in the Parish Centre, Mallow, Co Cork and also in the Resource Centre, Fermoy, Co Cork.

Go to Top of Page

Duhallow Association

Go to Top of Page

East Cork Association

The Association holds a Series of Lecturers during the Spring and Outdoor Demonstrations during the Summer.

For details contact eastcorkbeekeepers@gmail.com

Go to Top of Page

Co Cork Association

The Association holds meetings and classes in Room D160 of Cork Institute of Technology, Bishopstown Cork.

From mid-October to mid-November a class for Beginners is held. The Annual General Meeting follows this. From early February to mid-March a further series of talks is held. The Association has an apiary near the western end of Carrigrohane Straight Road and practical demonstrations are given there during May and June.

The Association joins with East Cork BKA to hold the Annual Fota Honey Show on the first weekend in October. This event takes place at the Education Centre beside the entrance to the Wild Life Park at Fota. New members are welcome. Please contact the Secretary or any member of the Committee for details.

For more information about our Association please visit our website at www.cocorkbka.org

Go to Top of Page

Dunmanway & District Association

The association meetings and lectures are held in the Teagasc Centre, Kilbarry Road, Dunmanway, Co Cork.

Join us on Facebook

Go to Top of Page

Carbery Association

Meetings take place in Skibbereen, Co Cork during the winter months. These consist of talks, guest speakers and videos.

Go to Top of Page

South West Cork Association

West Cork Association

The association hold indoor meetings in Bantry, Co Cork during the winter months and outdoor demonstrations during the month of May.

Go to Top of Page

Leinster

Co Louth (1)

Co Louth Association

The association meetings are held at the Teagasc Centre, Dundalk, Co Louth.

For more information about our Association please visit our website at www.louthbeekeepers.org

Go to Top of Page

Co Meath (1)

The Royal County Association

The association meet between September and April on the second Tuesday of the month at The Senior Citizens centre, Community Centre, Navan, Co Meath. Outdoor demonstrations are held during the summer months at various locations throughout the county.

Royal County Beekeepers Association are holding a beginners course open to all who wish to learn more about the craft

There are over 300 hives managed by members of the Association in Co. Meath which house over 14,000,000 bees at the height of Summer.

The Association arranges monthly talks, visits and social outings of interest to Beekeepers and Partners most of which are free of charge to members.

The Beginners Course is held over five consecutive Tuesday evenings at 8.00 p.m. covering the academic aspects of the craft, followed by two practical sessions in the Association's apiary

For more information about our Association please visit our website at www.royalcountybeekeepers.com

Go to Top of Page

Co Longford (1)

Co Longford Association

The association was established in 1995 and hold regular meetings at The Teagasc Centre, Longford Town.

Go to Top of Page

Co Westmeath (2)

Athlone and District Association

Go to Top of Page

Midlands Association

The Midland Beekeepers Association have an Apiary of 14 hives and other facilities at Belvedere House and Gardens Mullingar. Our live bee demonstrations. workshops and talks are held here.

Our season starts in February with a workshop on frame assembly and hive equipment. Weather permitting we put Fondant on each hive and Nucleus at this time.

The first full Hive inspections start in March checking the Queen is laying and that there are sufficient stores.

We conduct two in April and two in May, weather permitting, on Sunday mornings at 11:30 A.M.

June is our swarming time with weekly inspections and making nucs and rearing Queens.

We allow the bees and beekeepers a break during July. We return in mid-August to remove honey from the hives and add the Apiguard treatment.

September workshops are on honey extraction, honey settling and bottling. Our active season ends with an outdoor demonstration on checking the bees to over-winter.

The Belvedere Bee Breeding group is led by Jim Donohoe and is a group the most experienced members of the M.B.K.A. We rear Queens and Drones from our native Black Bees. Some of these Queens are used to make Nucleus hives for sale to our Association members. We over-winter some nucs for replacement of losses and for Queen replacement.

For more information about our Association please visit our website at www.mbka.ie

Go to Top of Page

Co Dublin (3)

Fingal North Dublin Association.

---

The association meets in the CBS Swords on the first Thursday of each month. It was established in 1977. As well as holding regular meetings, the association provides a range of services to members including bulk purchase of beekeeping supplies, equipment hire, lending library and a mentor system for new members.

For more information about our Association please visit our website at www.fingalbeekeepers.net

Go to Top of Page

Co Dublin Association

The association meet on the first Monday of the month during the winter months in Litton Hall, Wesley House, Lesson Park, Dublin 6 and outdoor summer demonstrations are held in the association apiary at St Columba's College, Rathfarnham. The annual Honey Show is held in Christ Church Hall, Rathgar in early November. The association was founded in 1943 and with well over 100 members is the largest in the country.

Beginners Course

The Association runs a very popular beginners course for beekeepers every spring starting 1st Tuesday in February every year. This course is held at Litton Hall, Wesley House, Leeson Park, Dublin 6. ( for further information or to book a place contact Ann (01) 2888873 or 086 3798303)

For further information visit www.dublinbees.org

Go to Top of Page

Kilternan Association

Go to Top of Page

Co Wicklow (2)

Ashford Association

Ashford & District BKA meets at 8pm on the last Wednesday of the month in The Grand Hotel in Wicklow town

Roundwood Association

The AGM of the Roundwood Beekeepers Association was held on November 3rd 2010 and the following Officers were elected

Beginners Course

The course is normally conducted in Abbey Community College, Wicklow Town in February of each year and runs for 8 weeks.

Historically the course has been attended by all age groups and offers fascinating information about bees and beekeeping.

We would appreciate if you would let us know if you are interested in applying for this course it as will only be run if numbers are acceptable to the College.

In the event that there are not sufficient numbers, specific support and advice will be offered to new members in helping them become established.

Go to Top of Page

Co Kildare (2)

North Kildare Association

The association holds a programme of lecturers during the winter months in the Community Library, The Harbour, Naas, Co Kildare. A beginner's course is held every Spring, For details contact Colm O'Neill – Tel No: 045 874378 e-mail: nkbka@eircom.net

Go to Top of Page

South Kildare Association

Meetings of the association are held in the Church of Ireland Centre, Janeville, Offaly St., Athy on the first Wednesday of every month at 7.30 p.m.

For more information about our Association please visit our website at http://southkildarebeekeepers.weebly.com/

Go to Top of Page

Co Carlow (1)

Co Carlow Association

Co Offaly (1)

Co Offaly Association

Committee:
John Donoghue, Tel No 086-8290119
Tim Schram, Tel No 087-7687481
Michael Keogh, Tel No 087-1381431

The Co Offaly Beekeepers Association has prepared an excellent programme of winter Lectures for its members and for all of those who wish to become members. New members are welcome to all our meetings.

All meetings will take place at the Co. Offaly Historical Society Hall, Tullamore, Co Offaly commencing at 8pm unless otherwise stated.

The membership fee for 2012 is €30 and is due from the 1st of January 2012. The fee includes insurance cover of (€8) and affiliation to the FIBKA (€10). The insurance cover includes third party public liability cover and product liability cover. It is important that members have adequate insurance cover. Second and subsequent family members who wish to join can do so for an additional €10 per person.

Please renew your membership by completing the membership form available here and forwarding it, together with €30, to the Treasurer Niall Murphy at the above address.

Members who wish to undertake the beginner’s course should complete the form available here only (this includes membership, insurance, affiliation to FIBKA and the Beginners Course).

Our Programme of Lectures is as follows:

• Monday the 5th December 2011 at 8pm - Api-bioxal as a Winter Treatment for Varroa Control by Dr. Mary Coffey
  
  Mary is presently working on research at Teagasc, Oakpark, Co Carlow on alternative varroa treatments suitable for Irish conditions, viral infections resulting from varroa, checking from pyrethroid resistance and many other varroa related problems. This is very important research work and no doubt will assist beekeepers greatly over the years ahead.
  
  
• Monday January 9th 2012 at 8pm - Parasite and Diseases of Honey Bees, Not Varroa by Michael Maunsell
  
  Mary is presently working on research at Teagasc, Oakpark, Co Carlow on alternative varroa treatments suitable for Irish conditions, viral infections resulting from varroa, checking from pyrethroid resistance and many other varroa related problems. This is very important research work and no doubt will assist beekeepers greatly over the years ahead.
  
  
• Monday February 13th 2012 at 8pm. - Preparing for Oilseed rape by Gerry Ryan.
  
  Gerry is from Dundrum, Co Tipperary where he and his wife Mary manage a large number of hives in South Tipp. They are practical beekeepers and acclaimed bee breeders along with being members of the Galtee Bee Breeding Group. They are heavily involved in the South Tipperary study group and both are the course convenors for Gormanston in July. In additions to this they are well known exhibitors and have won prizes at home and abroad.
  
  
• Sunday the 11th March 2011 - Arbour Day
  
  This year’s Arbour Day Full details will be available later.
  
  
• Monday March 12th 2012 at 8pm - Operating and Maintaining Mini Mating Nuclei by Keith Pierce.
  
  Keith is from Castleknock Dublin, a master beekeeper and Dublin member. In addition to suburban beekeeping he works Oil Seed Rape in the Spring and Heather in the autumn. He also produces nuclei for sale to beginners.
  
  
• March 2012 - Apiary demonstration (Subject to weather) by a panel of Experienced Beekeepers from Co. Offaly Beekeepers Association.
  
  
• Monday April 16th 2012 at 8pm - Turning the swarming instinct from a problem to an advantage. by Eamon Magee.
  
  Eamon is from Goatstown, Dublin, Vice President of FIBKA, a member of the Tree council of Ireland and a beekeeper for 40 odd years. He is presently working with the Director of The Botanic Gardens on a project to introduce bees to the gardens where visitors to the gardens will be able to view the bees.
  
  
• April 2012 - Apiary demonstration (Subject to weather) by a panel of Experienced Beekeepers from Co. Offaly Beekeepers Association.

Beginners Course

Following a very successful course in 2011 the association intends to hold a beginners course in 2012 due to the high level of interest. If you know of anyone that is interested in doing the course please give them the details or pass their names onto one of the officers above.

The details are as follows:

Venue: Co. Offaly Historical Society, Bury Quay, Tullamore, Co Offaly at 8pm.

The course will consist of 7 indoor lectures (approx 1.5 hours in duration per night) and at least one outdoor demonstration in the association apiary.

Dates:

• Tuesday 14th February 2012
• Tuesday 21st February 2012
• Tuesday 28th February 2012
• Tuesday 6th March 2012
• Tuesday 13th March 2012
• Tuesday 20th March 2012
• Tuesday27th March 2012
• May 2012 - Apiary demonstration (Subject to weather), By a panel of Experienced Beekeepers from Co. Offaly Beekeepers Association.

Topics to be covered are: -

• Lifecycle of the Honeybee
• Occupants of the Hive
• Hives and Equipment
• Diseases of the Honeybee
• Bee Forage - Pollen and Nectar Sources
• Choosing an apiary site
• Spring management
• Summer work and swarm control
• Harvesting the Honey crop
• Preparing colonies for winter.
• Assembling a Beehive.

Cost

• €80 Adults (Second or subsequent family members €60)
• €50 Students

The above fees also include third party public liability insurance, product liability and the membership of the Co. Offaly Beekeepers Association for 2012.

If you are interested please complete the form available here and forward same to the Treasurer, Niall Murphy at the above address as soon as possible to enable us have an idea of the number of participants interested in the course.

In July 2012 Preparing for the Honey Show.

We are planning to hold three meetings to assist Beekeepers interested in displaying their honey in the Honey Show’s. By John Summerville & John Donoghue.

John Summerville and John Donoghue are prominent members of the Co Offaly Beekeepers Association. Both are vastly experienced practical beekeepers and outstanding exhibitors at home and abroad. They have won numerous prizes for their honey and have many years of beekeeping experience between them.

John Donoghue is an international honey judge as well as being past president of the FIBKA. John Summerville manages the Co Offaly Beekeepers Association apiary and has hosted opening days in his own apiary.

Dates for your Diary

The Co Offaly Beekeepers Honey Show will take place in conjunction with the Tullamore Agricultural Show on Sunday the 12th of August 2012 – full details later.

Now is the time to read some beekeeping books and of course to attend the excellent series of winter lectures prepared for you by the association.

As you can see there is an excellent and full programme of events arranged for you. We invited come of the best speakers in the country and you can show your appreciation by turning out in large numbers to various lectures.

Please mark all of the above dates and events in your diary for reference.

Go to Top of Page

Co Laois (1)

Dunamaise Association

The Association holds indoor lectures on the 2nd Tuesday of the month in the Teagasc Offices, Portlaoise and outdoor demonstrations are held at the association apiary during the summer.

Go to Top of Page

Co Kilkenny (2)

Mid Kilkenny Association

The Association has a blog/website at midkilkennybees.wordpress.com

Local Environment Project

A bid by Mid-Kilkenny Beekeepers to improve the local environment has been given a boost thanks to a cash injection by An Taisce.

Mid-Kilkenny Beekeepers Association plans to use the grant for equipment which will enable members make community presentations about the importance of beekeeping and to help train new beekeepers at the organisation's apiary.

Through the Green Communities Project, An Taisce is able to offer financial assistance to community groups who have demonstrated a commitment to restoring their communities to their former glory.

The cash support has been made possible by funding from the European Regional Development Interreg 4A Ireland Wales Programme and will be used by volunteer groups to help cover the costs of insurance, tools, equipment, publicity and training.

Go to Top of Page

South Kilkenny Association

The association holds their indoor meetings in Kildalton College, Piltown, Co Kilkenny.

Go to Top of Page

Co Wexford (4)

Gorey Association

Committee: Brian Dunbar, John Gilbert, Brendan White and Bernard Seal

We have approximately 90 members from beginners to lecturer standard, and likewise the number of hives that members run varies from one to fifty plus, so we try and cater for all beekeepers.

We hold lectures throughout the winter plus beginners' classes. The emphasis of the lectures is on practical beekeeping. In the active season we hold practical sessions in the association apiary, these range from introductory sessions for beginners through to queen cell grafting etc;

The Beginners Theory classes will begin on the Wednesday 28th March and run straight into Apiary Practicals

For further information visit our website at www.goreybeekeepers.com

---

Go to Top of Page

Co Wexford Association

The association was founded in 1909 and since then has provided education, information and support for beekeepers throughout Co Wexford, through beginner's classes, meetings and video shows. The association meet regularly in the Teagasc Centre, Old Dublin Road, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.

---

Go to Top of Page

South Wexford Association

The association meets at the Teagasc Centre. Johnstown Castle, Co Wexford

For further information visit our website at http://southwexfordbees.org

Go to Top of Page

New Ross Association

Go to Top of Page