Last meeting of the Westport beekeepers year before we take the summer break.
The Preliminary Examination, Westport.
The Preliminary Examination (written section) was held on Saturday 19th of May 2012, in the Teagasc Centre, Golf Course, Westport from 9.30a.m. – 10.00a.m.
The practical section of the exam was held from 12 noon until finish in the clubs apiary.
Young Westport Beekeeper to Represent Ireland.
Beekeeper Michael Wall.
Young Westport Beekeeper Michael Wall has been chosen by the Federation of Irish Beekeepers to represent Ireland at the International Young Beekeepers Competition 2012. The event will be held in the University of Bern in Switzerland, with participants from over 20 countries worldwide.
Michael, a pupil at Brackloon National School, passed his preliminary beekeeping exams last year at the age of 11 making him the youngest certified beekeeper in Ireland, he will be part of a team of 3 young Irish beekeepers who will participate in the competition and make a presentation on Irish beekeeping in Bern. Michael is a junior member of the recently established Westport Beekeepers Association which has grown steadily since its foundation 2 years ago, to over 120 members and is now the fourth largest Beekeeping Association in Ireland.
Dermot O Flaherty Treasurer of the Westport Beekeepers Association said that he is delighted that a member of our own local Westport Association has been chosen to represent Ireland internationally and we wish him every success. It is not the first international foray for the Westport Beekeepers where Shane Mannion, who recently achieved exhibition standard for a pristine frame of Westport comb honey at the coveted London Honey show. Shane also achieved 1st prize at the Cork Honey Show as well as other prizes at the Navan honey show and the Clonmel Honey show
Pictured breaking the news last Sunday with Michael at Turlough House is Philip McCabe the President of the European Regional Commission of ‘Apimondia’ the World Federation of Bee Health and PRO of the Federation of Irish Beekeeping Association where he delivered a lecture on “Honey” ” Is it a food or a Medicine” to a very packed audience. He also gave a demonstration in Westport,s apiary on Saturday to over 70 beekeepers from the local club.
Anyone wishing to join the local Westport Beekeeping Club contact 087 2464045
