The Cumann Beachairi Chonamara in partnership with the Galtee Breeders Group held a Bee Improvement Workshop on Sunday, 3rd July at Sean Osbourn’s apiary at Carrowmoreknock. (near Moycullen)
Together with Sean Cumann Beachairi Chonamara went to great lengths in preparing for the occasion. Five stations were provided at which the experts carried out and explained different aspects of beekeeping. They covered such practical topics with hands on demonstrations of hive inspections and the importance of keeping records to the many different methods of Queen rearing, e.g. using the cloak board, Jenter kit and the loading, operation and uses of the ‘little Apidea box’ . It was a joy and an education to watch the experts manipulate the hives as they explained their every move. Actions speak louder than words. Ten minutes at a practical workshop is worth more than two hours of a lecture in a class room.
Under the sweltering heat of a glorious summer’s day, in excess of seventy people dressed liked space invaders and sweat running down their faces, stood, watched and listened attentively to the proceedings. Many important questions were asked and answered by the brilliant teachers.
The crowd was divided into five groups with each group having twenty to thirty minutes at a station before moving to the next. There were bees everywhere. To add to the excitement of the day an unexamined hive swarmed and took up temporary residence on Gerry Ryan’s table where he was explaining how to introduce a fertilised queen to her newly adopted family from an ‘Apidea box’. I am sure the caged queen on the frame did not know what was happening!
When the demonstrations concluded the group was fed with a beautiful selection of freshly made sandwiches, coffee, tea and plates of cakes and biscuits.It was difficult to believe that five hours had passed since we parked up in the readily provided parking area organised by the club.
The occasion was a brilliant success for the ‘Cumann Beachairi Chonamara’ and the Galtee Breeder’s Group and great credit is due to all involved. We offer our thanks for a wonderful day.
Pic of the excellent day had by everybody.(compliments of Timothy Stephens)
