Introduction to Beekeeping

Delivered by Niall Coffey, our local beekeeper with over 15 years experience, this full day course will give you an understanding of what's really involved in beekeeping as a hobby or micro enterprise. Niall takes a natural approach to beekeeping that prioritises the bees’ welfare over honey production and in his down to earth no nonsense style will cover the pros and cons of beekeeping from the time of acquiring your bees until your first honey harvest. 

Niall manages a number of apiaries across East Cork including Ballymaloe Cookery School, Ballymaloe House Hotel and Castlemartyr Resort, working with farmers and landowners in the area. He's the first to admit that there's alway something to learn about these fascinating insects on which we rely more than we realise.

What You’ll Learn: 

• The lifecycle of a bee
• How to care for your bees to ensure they have adequate food supply, water and shelter
• The equipment and tools needed to manage your hive
• How to capture a swarm of bees
• How to harvest honey

Course Elements: 

• A mix of indoor and outdoor learning
• Weather permitting you will visit the hives for a practical demonstration but Niall will bring a complete hive and all the equipment to the indoor classroom too
• Honey Tasting

You’ll also leave with a jar of honey and hopefully a taste for more!

Good to Know:

• As we’ll spend time walking and learning around the farm please bring suitable clothing and footwear - and allow for changeable weather!
• We will provide bee suits and helmets
• You will visit hives and whilst every precaution will be taken there is a chance of bee stings - Please do not attend if you have a known allergy to bee venom
• Refreshments and Lunch included; eat alongside our students, cookery school teachers, farm staff, gardeners and visiting experts
• The course is held at Ballymaloe Cookery School’s Organic Farm and Gardens in Shanagarry, Co. Cork P25 R274
• Tea and Coffee with whatever’s fresh out of the oven will be served from 9am so please arrive early to sign in, meet other students and get ready for a busy day of hands on learning

National Organic Training Skillnet Funding:
Eligible participants living in Ireland can avail of a generous cost reduction on this course through our course partners National Organic Training Skillnet. Go to  NOTS Webpage and sign up through NOTS to avail of their reduced price offering and to get the course for just €110. Once you sign up and pay the reduced rate through NOTS, they will notify us, and you will be all set for the course on May 20th! Please note – to qualify for the NOTS rate, you must be a) resident in Ireland; and b) employed in any sector (either full-time or part-time).