Feature
What’s The Buzz With Beekeeping?
Another beekeeping season has come and gone and hopefully there is some “honey in the jar”. All that remains to be done in 2023 is to make sure that the bees have adequate stores (honey) for Winter. If in doubt feed syrup which is sugar and water mixed on a 1:1 rate. Also remove any Varroa strips, if used, and make sure your hives are well anchored against the Winter winds. The past year will probably not go down as a record year for honey production. This is due mainly to a lot of rain during July which is the main month for honey flow. However beekeepers are a resilient lot and we are not in beekeeping solely for honey production as we are fully aware of the important role played by honey bees in plant pollination. in 2023 the Duhallow Beekeepers
Association ran a very successful beginners course in beekeeping. This was based in the James O Keeffe Institute in Newmarket. The course began with four Indoor lectures and eight outdoor, hands on demonstrations at the IRD apiary. In all twenty new beekeepers signed up to this course which was free and we are delighted to report that 75% of these beginners have at least one hive of bees. Huge thanks must go to our course lecturers and outdoor demonstrators Catherine, John , and Padraig along with Paddy who constantly monitors hive activity in Newmarket. Looking forward to 2024 we would like to hold a similar course if we have enough applicants. If you are thinking of giving beekeeping a try why not ring one of the following contacts or talk to
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DiscoverDuhallow@irdduhallow.com
someone who has bees already in Duhallow. You won’t regret it as beekeeping is one of the most satisfying hobbies out there, and who knows it might even become your full-time occupation. Find out more at our AGM on December 11th at 8pm, in the James O’Keeffe institute Newmarket. Contacts phone: 029 60633, 0871961869, 0860759197 or email secretaryduhallowbeekeepers@ gmail.com
Issue 102 November 17th, 2023
