Beekeeping Course for Beginners 2026
Join us for an introductory online Google Meeting at 7:30PM on March 31st and/or come and meet us in person at our open night at 7:30PM on April 8th at the Comananassig Day Centre in Sneem. 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 one year* - You can sign up here.
*We are affiliated with the Irish Beekeepers Association and membership includes insurance.
2026 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 (venue to be confirmed). 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, April 14th - 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 21st - 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 28th - The Beekeeping Year
- The beekeeping year calendar of activity
October to December
January - March
April-June
July-September
- Swarming: why, and what we can do about it
Tuesday, May 5th - Your First Hive
-Getting started,: where to get bees
-Transporting and transferring a colony into a new box.
- Honey harvest: food regulations for jarring, labelling and sale
-Health & safety: risk assessments, stings and treatment, allergic reaction
-Club apiary & mentoring
- Resources: insurance, Irish Beekeeping Association assessments
*Saturday, May 16th - 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 23rd - 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!