Bee Apiary at Dunhill Ecopark
The East Waterford Beekeepers Association (EWBA) installed the first hive of a bee apiary at Dunhill Ecopark, amongst its integrated constructed wetlands in 2009. The purpose of the apiary is to have a communal hive for the Association where those interested can learn more about bees and beekeeping. Its installation is very much in keeping with Dunhill Ecopark's wider philosophy of environmental stewardship and in providing opportunities in environmental education for the community.
The East Waterford Beekeepers Association was originally set up in the O'Brien's kitchen in Dunbrattin, Annestown in Co. Waterford in 1957. The Association is open to people of all ages and all walks of life. If you are interested in learning more about beekeeping or in visiting the apiary itself at Dunhill Ecopark, please contact Mike Hughes on 086 8168825, or by e-mail at Truelymikeatgmail.com who is more than willing to give help and support.
Beekeeping has always been part of rural life in Ireland, for years bees were kept in butter boxes until the introduction of proper hives with moveable frames. There has been a recent growing interest in beekeeping, amongst other traditional skills. There are rising concerns over mysterious disappearances of bee populations not only in Ireland, but throughout the world because of the essential role they play in the environment's wellbeing, being the pollinators of most of the foods we consume, such as fruit and vegetables. Bees are commonly brought to commercial crops of almonds, apples, pears, cucumbers, squash, strawberries, melons and greenhouse tomato plantations.
The Integrated Constructed Wetlands where the apiary is located, treats the waste-water produced by the Ecopark's various enterprises and facilities whilst improving the water quality of the Annestown river and its tributaries and as a
consequence all associated wildlife habitats, including the fish population. The Constructed Wetlands have been a direct contributory factor to the return of trout into the river after many years of polluted waters. The Wetland at the Ecopark is one of 16 in the Annestown-Dunhill area servicing the villages and surrounding farmland.
FIBKA Southern Workshop. (Munster - for Members only)
Location: Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork
Date: Saturday 8th February. Time: 10:00 a.m.
Contact Anne Marie Fogarty at 0862064919 if interested in attending.
Speaker/s Topic
Michael Maunsell CFL Bee Genetics
Tom Prendergast CFL Preparing for the Season Ahead
EWBA Public Lecture
Location: Dunhill Education Centre, Dunhill, Co Waterford. Eircode X91 FVF9,
Date: Wednesday 12th February 2020. Time: 7 P.M.
Speaker Topic
Dr Una Fitzpatrick All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015-2020: Lessons learned and looking to the future
Úna has a Ph.D. in botany. She worked on a project on the conservation of Irish bees before joining the National Biodiversity Data Centre in 2007. She is responsible for the plant, vegetation and pollinator work programmes of the Centre. She is the chair of the steering group that produced the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015-2020 and oversees its implementation.
Introduction to Beekeeping Course
The East Waterford Beekeepers Association is running an Introduction to Beekeeping Course at Dunhill Ecopark Education Centre on 18th and 25th March and 7th April 2020
The course consists of 3 Lectures from 7-9 pm each evening at a cost of €60
For a further €50 participants have the option to:
For more information see the The East Waterford Beekeepers Association website.
The East Waterford Beekeepers Association was originally set up in the O'Brien's kitchen in Dunbrattin, Annestown in Co. Waterford in 1957. The Association is open to people of all ages and all walks of life. If you are interested in learning more about beekeeping or in visiting the apiary itself at Dunhill Ecopark, please contact Mike Hughes on 086 8168825, or by e-mail at Truelymikeatgmail.com who is more than willing to give help and support.
Beekeeping has always been part of rural life in Ireland, for years bees were kept in butter boxes until the introduction of proper hives with moveable frames. There has been a recent growing interest in beekeeping, amongst other traditional skills. There are rising concerns over mysterious disappearances of bee populations not only in Ireland, but throughout the world because of the essential role they play in the environment's wellbeing, being the pollinators of most of the foods we consume, such as fruit and vegetables. Bees are commonly brought to commercial crops of almonds, apples, pears, cucumbers, squash, strawberries, melons and greenhouse tomato plantations.
The Integrated Constructed Wetlands where the apiary is located, treats the waste-water produced by the Ecopark's various enterprises and facilities whilst improving the water quality of the Annestown river and its tributaries and as a
consequence all associated wildlife habitats, including the fish population. The Constructed Wetlands have been a direct contributory factor to the return of trout into the river after many years of polluted waters. The Wetland at the Ecopark is one of 16 in the Annestown-Dunhill area servicing the villages and surrounding farmland.
FIBKA Southern Workshop. (Munster - for Members only)
Location: Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork
Date: Saturday 8th February. Time: 10:00 a.m.
Contact Anne Marie Fogarty at 0862064919 if interested in attending.
Speaker/s Topic
Michael Maunsell CFL Bee Genetics
Tom Prendergast CFL Preparing for the Season Ahead
EWBA Public Lecture
Location: Dunhill Education Centre, Dunhill, Co Waterford. Eircode X91 FVF9,
Date: Wednesday 12th February 2020. Time: 7 P.M.
Speaker Topic
Dr Una Fitzpatrick All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015-2020: Lessons learned and looking to the future
Úna has a Ph.D. in botany. She worked on a project on the conservation of Irish bees before joining the National Biodiversity Data Centre in 2007. She is responsible for the plant, vegetation and pollinator work programmes of the Centre. She is the chair of the steering group that produced the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015-2020 and oversees its implementation.
Introduction to Beekeeping Course
The East Waterford Beekeepers Association is running an Introduction to Beekeeping Course at Dunhill Ecopark Education Centre on 18th and 25th March and 7th April 2020
The course consists of 3 Lectures from 7-9 pm each evening at a cost of €60
For a further €50 participants have the option to:
- Take part in training at the Association Apiary,
- Become a member of EWBA and the Federation of Irish Beekeepers’ Association (FIBKA).
- Be insured for attending the Apiary
- Be insured while working with your own bees.
- Get monthly copy of the Beekeepers Magazine until 31 Dec 2020
- Attend all lectures during the season
For more information see the The East Waterford Beekeepers Association website.
