Beekeeping course for
beginners 2025
Join us for an introductory Zoom session at 7:30PM on March 4th and/or come and meet us in person at our open night at 7:30PM on March 12th in the Comananassig community centre. We look forward to meeting you all. Our goal is to welcome you as a member of our community and to give you all the support and resources you need to become a confident beekeeper.
The course cost is €120 for an individual and €150 for couples / family which includes membership for a year. We are affiliated with the Irish Beekeepers Association and membership includes insurance.
2025 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 9:30 PM. Apiary training sessions are from * 10:30 am to 12:30pm (*apiary dates and times will be confirmed closer to the date as this is weather dependent.)
Tuesday, March 25th - 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, April 1st - 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 8th - 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 15th - 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 26th - Meet the Bees
A hands-on session in the club apiary
Meet the bees in a controlled environment
Safety talks and standard hive protocol
*weather permitting
*Saturday, May 3rd - Meet the Bees
A hands-on session in the club apiary
Meet the bees in a controlled environment
Safety talks and standard hive protocol
*weather permitting
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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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!