OBKA Beginners Course Day 2

The sun smiled yet again on OBKA on Saturday 8th April 2017 for day 2 of our beginners course!

In the morning Peter Whyte, experienced beekeeper and horticulturalist, guided the beginners through the vital steps required to successfully set up and site their own apiaries. This was followed by a lively question and answer session, before the second part of the lecture on forage and planting for bees, beautifully illustrated by informative slides.

Skilled beekeeper and committee member, Jerry Reilly, brought along a mounted display of native insects and pollinators collected locally which prompted much interest and discussion.

Secretary Niall O'Reilly, ably assisted by Peter McEvoy, kept the refreshments and chat flowing throughout the morning tea breaks before we all adjourned to the beautiful setting of the OBKA apiary in the grounds of the stunning Charleville Castle.

During this hands on session all the beginners suited up and were able to handle and examine live frames from one of the association hives. Our former chairman, Michael Dickenson, took the beginners on a masterclass touching on many aspects of practical beekeeping and imparting valuable hints and tips. The weather and the bees were kind to us, a credit to the apiary manager, John Summerville.

Earlier in the week, on the evening of Tuesday 4th April, the beginners joined the OBKA general meeting to enjoy a valuable overview of the beekeeping year from Tom Prendergast, of the South Tipperary Beekeepers Association, who reminded us all of the tasks that need doing now and in the busy weeks and months to come!

We look forward to the next part of the course – an evening lecture at 8pm on April 25th on Bee Health, a crucial topic for all beekeepers, from life member John Donoghue. This will take place at the Historical Society on Bury Quay.