Westport Beekeepers

05/10/2024

The next meeting of the Mayo beekeepers will take place on Monday the 7th of October at 8pm in Teagasc Ballina. We are thrilled to have Stephen Gallagher fron Swarms.ie giving us a talk on swarms and swarm removals. Gervases will have sugar for distribution and alAgnes will be available to take subs for next year.

25/03/2024

We welcome everyone to our next Beekeepers meeting in the Teagasc Center, Westport, Mayo on the 2nd of April.
The meeting topic will be:
*The Asian Hornet and its Threat to the Native Black Bee*

Speaker is Mary Walsh, who gave a talk about the Asian Hornet to the Mayo Beekeepers in Ballina recently.

This is a hugely important topic, as we are under the threat of this pest coming to Ireland and destroying our bee colonies. It not only decimates the Honey Bee but it will feed and destroy any other insects/bees to survive.
It is the opinion of many that it may very likely be already in Ireland, but not recognised or reported yet, so do plan on attending and hearing about what to look out for and see what traps are available to help during the Summer/Autumn season.

25/03/2024

Unfortunately it’s only going to be a matter of time before it will be reported in Ireland, that is if the Asian Hornet is not already here and hasn’t been seen or reported 😬

Predatory species, which poses huge danger to bee populations, spotted on 11 March, indicating winter stay

28/02/2024

https://youtu.be/ee381dCP6JM?si=qACBoPk6gk7xfAX-

David Attenborough explains how plants communicate with bees by creating small electric fields.

28/02/2024

Our next meeting is coming up over the horizon and I hope we will be able to welcome you there once again. It will be on March 5th at the Teagasc Centre, as usual. We will be welcoming our member Colm Keane, who will be talking to us about the use of an EpiPen (in case of serious effects from bee stings) and what we should do with regards to a medical kit for beekeepers.

09/02/2024

Joan, my mother - Micheál's wife - passed peacefully today. This is a wedding photo from 1964. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 9, she lived to 85, being the longest in Ireland with this condition. She was an important part of Galtee Honey Farm, spending many years preparing the honey from our bees and getting it ready for customers. Also being a great support for my father while he was forester of Glengarra Wood. Along with raising 6 children. A great mother and grandmother, she will be dearly missed. 💛

13/12/2023

The deadline for applying for the 12 week honey bee health microcredential at the University of Galway, has been extended until December 22nd.
Please spread the word, and if you use social media (Facebook and LinkedIn) CALPD (Centre for Adult Learning and Professional Development) may put a post up there.

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.

30/11/2023

* 🐝 Our final meeting of 2023 is coming up on Tuesday December 5th 2023*

Henry Horkan will talk about his experience using "The Top Bar Hives"

We also want to talk about what you would like in the way of presentations/Presenters for 2024.

Looking forward to seeing you then

This will be a good time to renew your membership as well, so that your insurance cover carries forward, as well as your subscription to An Beachaire.

Looking forward to seeing you then.
WBKA secretary/coordinator.

23/10/2023

As the industry works out what's next in learning to live with the deadly parasite, search warrants have been issued as part of the federal government's investigation into the suspected illegal importation of bees infected with the pest.