Thomond Beekeeping Association – Beekeeping Course

This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills of beekeeping. It includes:

• Classroom teaching over 8 teaching sessions. Topics include:

1. An introduction to Beekeeping –the beekeeping year and looking forward to the reward of honey at the end of the year.
2. The Workings of a Bee Colony
3. Pollen and Nectar Sources
4. Beekeeping Equipment
5. Controlling Bees and Working for Honey
6. Harvesting Honey
7. Bee Diseases
8. Treatments and Further Education

• The classroom training is supplemented by hands-on practical learning at the new Thomond BKA Apiary.  The practical learning dedicated for the course attendees will take place for 4-weeks (post classroom elements) in the association teaching apiary.

The course fee includes the annual FIBKA membership (worth €55), beekeeping book and all course material. FIBKA membership incorporates member annual beekeeper insurance.

After the course, there will be weekly meetings and hands on learning at our association apiary throughout the summer months, until the honey harvest.  We have several hive types to get experience with including several national hives, and an accessible friendly long hive.

There will be ongoing support from Thomond BKA beekeepers through to preparing the hives for the winter (quiet) period.

An essential goal of Thomond BKA is to support our members as they progress as beekeepers, and to focus on the enjoyment and social aspect of beekeeping.  We are planning plenty of social activities and opportunities to meet with the aim of improving our beekeeping skills.