Fingal has a long association with honeybees. It is reputed that beekeeping was introduced to Ireland by a seventh century monk, St. Molaga who built a church, Lann Beachaire (the church of the beekeeper) near Balbriggan.
There is an arch in the adjacent Bremore Castle dating from 1689 depicting a monk holding a bell or a skep and bees flying towards it.
Fingal North Dublin Beekeepers' Association was founded in 1977 with the aim of “encouraging beekeeping in every way possible and mutual assistance among its members”. Membership has grown steadily over the years, 40 in 2000 to over 160 in 2023, putting it among the top four in Ireland.
The beginners’ course in early spring is well attended and every effort is made to provide the new members with an experienced beekeeping mentor during their first year. Monthly meetings that include talks and demonstrations are held throughout most of the year, and regular beekeeping skills training is held in the Association apiary.
We also visit schools and attend public events to increase awareness of honeybees and their role in pollination.
The Association plays an active role in conserving the native black honeybee in the area, which is under threat from imported foreign strains and hybrid bees. We have designated our area a Voluntary Conservation Area for the native bee, Apis mellifera mellifera, a strain that has been in Ireland since the last ice age and which is specifically adapted to Irish condition.
In accordance with our constitution, at our AGM on Thursday 5th October 2023 the following members were elected for the 2023/2024 year.
| Role | Member |
|---|---|
| Chairperson | Paul Keane |
| Vice Chairperson | Vacant |
| Hon. Secretary / Member Communication | Bronwen Maher |
| Hon. Treasurer | Kevin Proctor |
| Beginners Course Administration | Graham Parkes |
| Committee Members | David Allcutt Emma Finn Michael Kelly John Lawlor Mick Moyna Graham Parkes |
| Auditors | Gill Molyneux Vincent O’Sullivan |
