Beekeeping course for
beginners 2024
Thanks to all who decided to take the course and become members; you are all very welcome! We wish you well on your beekeeping journey, and commit to giving you all the support and resources you need to become a confident beekeeper.
2024 course overview
The course consists of 6 sessions and includes beekeeping theory, practice and hands-on apiary training. The first 4 classes are from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Apiary training day times (and dates) will be confirmed closer to the date as are very much weather dependent
Tuesday, March 19th - Bees & Us
-Bees as social insects, and our relationship with them
-The colony: castes, lifecycles and division of labour
-The queen and her role in the colony, marking
-Seasonal forage: how bees use nectar, pollen, propolis and water
-Choosing an apiary site
Tuesday, March 26th - The Hive
-The hive and how it works: components, types, stands
- Hive management and maintenance
-What do good bees look like
-Pests and diseases: varroa, DAFM
-Record keeping
-Basic equipment: costs, suppliers
Tuesday, April 2nd - The Beekeeping Year
- The beekeeping calendar of activity
- Swarming: why, and what we can do about it
- Honey harvest: food regulations for jarring, labelling and sale
-Wax production and use in the hive
Tuesday, April 9th - Your First Hive
-Getting started,: where to get bees
-Transporting and transferring a colony into a new box.
-Health & safety: risk assessments, stings and treatment, allergic reaction
-Club apiary & mentoring
- Resources: insurance, Irish Beekeeping Association assessments
Saturday, April 20th - Meet the Bees
A hands-on session in the club apiary
Meet the bees in a controlled environment
Safety talks and standard hive protocol
Saturday, April 27th - Meet the Bees
A hands-on session in the club apiary
Meet the bees in a controlled environment
Safety talks and standard hive protocol
Frequently Asked Questions
-
All you need to bring is a desire to learn. We will teach you everything you need to know about beginner beekeeping. Our goal is to give you the confidence to decide that beekeeping is for you. As a member of the club you will have all the support you need to develop your craft.
-
Over the course of your training we will provide you with a comprehensive list of all the equipment you will need. You will need a bee suit to start with!