Beekeeping course

The Co. Waterford Beekeepers’ Association offers an annual Beekeeping for Beginners course, designed to provide the foundational knowledge and skills needed to keep bees successfully. The course consists of six weeks of theory in the classroom, followed by two weeks of practical hands-on experience in the apiary.

The following topics are covered:

The Beekeeping year
An Introduction to Honey Bees and Pollinating Insects
Swarming
Products of the hive
Bee health
The hive

Education in beekeeping

Beekeeping year

It is claimed that the beekeeping year starts in Autumn, when the honey crop has been removed and beekeepers ensure that the colonies have enough stores to take them through the long Irish winter, until spring, when days are warmer longer.

Native Irish Honey Bee

The Aims of the Co. WBKA, as prescribed in its Constitution are:

The promotion and provision of education in the Art of Beekeeping, and
To promote the conservation of the native dark bee, Apis mellifera mellifera,
The Co. Waterford Beekeepers’ Association will protect and conserve, propagate and promote the native Irish Honey bee, Apis mellifera mellifera.

Co. Waterford and its surrounds is a voluntary conservation area for Apis m.mellifera.

Members were instrumental in setting up the Native Irish Honey Bee Society.

Association Apiary

The Aims of the Co. WBKA, as prescribed in its Constitution are:

The promotion and provision of education in the Art of Beekeeping, and
To promote the conservation of the native dark bee, Apis mellifera mellifera,
The Co. Waterford Beekeepers’ Association will protect and conserve, propagate and promote the native Irish Honey bee, Apis mellifera mellifera.

Co. Waterford and its surrounds is a voluntary conservation area for Apis m.mellifera.

Members were instrumental in setting up the Native Irish Honey Bee Society.

Products of hive

The best known primary products of beekeeping are honey and wax, but pollen, propolis, royal jelly, venom, queens, bees and their larvae are also marketable primary bee products.

Asian Hornet – Vespa Velutina Nigrithorax

Asian hornet is not known to be present in Ireland but please become familiar with its identity and if you suspect you have seen an Asian hornet please report it immediately to the National Biodiversity Data Centre with a photo to the Biodiversity Data capture app or https://records.biodiversityireland.ie/record/invasives

The aim is to provide you with easy access to information should you think you have sighted an Asian Hornet in Ireland and some guidance on what to do.