Ashford & District Beekeepers' Association

08/03/2025

Beekeepers from across the country are gathering in the midlands this weekend to highlight their concerns around the native Irish honey bee which they say is at grave risk of extinction.

07/03/2025

Introduction to Beginners Beekeeping Course - how time is flying by!! We are 4 lectures down already and look forward to the 5th lecture next Monday 10th March, given by Mr. Colm Penston

The Title is “Swarm Control, Nucleus Method”

We look forward to seeing you all!

16/02/2025

Colm Penston, who presents our ABKA Beginner Beekeeping lectures pictured with Dr Helen Mooney, NUIG at the Ulster Beekeepers Conference in Antrim. We enjoyed a truly international cast of first-class speakers, and an impressive range of practical workshops- something for everyone. Keynote Speaker was Lars Chittka
Ulster Beekeepers AssociationHelen Mooney ThompsonColm Penston

14/01/2025

Thank you Colm 🐝🐝💪

14/01/2025

Full house at the first Beginners Beekeeping lecture given by Colm Penston in the Heritage Centre, Ashford.
The 1st Lecture covered the Natural History of the Honey Bee, History of Beekeeping and The Beekeepers Year.
Looking forward to the 2nd Lecture on Monday January 27th.

We recommend Haynes Bee Manual to accompany the course, which will make more sense as you follow the lectures!
Native Irish Honey Bee SocietyThe Federation of Irish Beekeepers AssociationsBiodiversity IrelandColm Penston

08/01/2025

Last chance to avail of a place on the beginners beekeeping course!
Course Highlights:
Starts on Monday January 13th, running through to April
6 lectures covering the theory and practice of beekeeping.
All sessions on a Monday night 7.30 to 8.30
Cost is €80 per person
The hands on session in the apiary is weather dependent
www.wicklowbees.com

02/01/2025

Just a few places still available for the Beginners Beekeeping course starting January 13th. All details in link below 🐝🐝🐝

beekeeping association based in Ashford Co. Wicklow Republic of Ireland.

23/12/2024

Wishing all our members, friends and beekeepers everywhere a peaceful Christmas and New Year.

20/12/2024

It is wonderful to see Mr Dara Kilmartin declared a candidate to be properly nominated to contest the Seanad Éireann Election in the NUI constituency at the end of January 2025.
As a beekeeper, Dara has given lectures to our Association members over the years, on apitherapy/bee venon, and more recently on pollen and bee nutrition. Always a very popular speaker and a wonderful advocate for our native Irish honey bee.
It is heartening to see his policies for the election include the promotion of biodiversity conservation through the All Ireland Pollinator Plan, preservation of the native Irish honeybee, and development of schools' environmental awareness programmes.
https://darakilmartin.ie/
Native Irish Honey Bee SocietyThe Federation of Irish Beekeepers AssociationsBiodiversity Ireland

19/12/2024

Not a nice thing to happen - be vigilant 🐝🐝 Native Irish Honey Bee SocietyThe Federation of Irish Beekeepers Associations

Wicklow-based beekeeper Bruce Copeland was shocked to discover that of two of his beehives were stolen from his back garden on Monday.

12/12/2024

🥹Looking for gift inspiration? 🐝If someone in your life has talked about beekeeping and wants to know more, why not register them up for the ABKA Introduction to Beekeeping Course starting in January? Like puppies, bees are not just for Christmas, so it is most important to do a course which will explain everything you need to know before making a decision! You might like it yourself, so you can drop a hint with a link- which you will find on www.wicklowbees.com
Native Irish Honey Bee SocietyBiodiversity IrelandWicklow Peoplewicklownews.net

06/12/2024

Members of Roundwood BKA, Co. Wicklow gathered on Wednesday 4th December to honour their members Willie O'Byrne and Tom Jackson. Both were granted lifetime Honorary membership of the Association and thanked for their enormous contribution to beekeeping in general and Roundwood in particular. A presentation of a beautiful silver pin, fashioned in the shape of a bee, was presented to them by Roundwood's Chairperson, Brian Walshe.
Both regaled those present with stories of how they actually started beekeeping, Tom Jackson in 1971 and Willie in 1984. Interestingly neither had previously considered beekeeping but both were enticed when they tasted section honey for the first time!
ABKA members were delighted to attend and celebrate the life and times of these great beekeepers.
The Federation of Irish Beekeepers AssociationsNative Irish Honey Bee SocietyBiodiversity IrelandWicklow Naturally

30/11/2024

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/nov/30/beekeepers-halt-honey-awards

Warnings that genuine products are bulked out with cheaper sugar syrup prompt international congress to withdraw prizes

30/11/2024

It really is important to source your honey locally if you can! There are so many worldwide reports of imported honey being adulterated an bulked up by sugar syrup. Many shops now sell honey direct from their local beekeepers and if you check out our website we have a list of Wicklow beekeepers who will be delighted to hear from you. https://www.wicklowbees.com/Honey-Sales.php
Native Irish Honey Bee SocietyThe Federation of Irish Beekeepers AssociationsBiodiversity IrelandWicklow Naturally

Wicklowbees.com is the website name for Ashford and District Beekeepers' Association. We provide swarm collection, education

25/11/2024

HONEY BEE HEALTH MICROCRED NUIG

There are some places left on this module, deadline Friday 29th November and it is subsidised! All details in link below
Native Irish Honey Bee SocietyThe Federation of Irish Beekeepers AssociationsBiodiversity Ireland

Choosing a course is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make! View our courses and see what our students and lecturers have to say about the courses you are interested in at the links below.

23/11/2024

Congratulations to our members Colm Penston, Yvonne Johnston and Dermot Fanning , who graduated with a Diploma in Scientific Studies (Apiculture) in NUIG today 👏👏👏👏pictured with Dr. Helen Mooney and Prof. Grace Mc Cormack NUIG. We are so proud of their achievement 👏 it is wonderful to see members furthering their education and knowledge of bees and beekeeping in our Association. We are so grateful for their continued sharing of their knowledge within ABKA! 🥳🥳🥳
Native Irish Honey Bee SocietyThe Federation of Irish Beekeepers AssociationsBiodiversity Ireland