If you are considering taking up the craft of beekeeping, it is important that you have a good understanding of what is involved.
A beginners’ beekeeping course will give you the knowledge, practical skills and confidence that is required.
Our association runs a course for beginners in February and March each year, and held in a location in North County Dublin.
The course consists of six classes, and our next course will be held in February and March 2025. The course covers the syllabus of the preliminary examination of the Federation of Irish Beekeepers’ Associations (FIBKA) and uses classroom instruction and practical demonstrations.
The course is given by six experienced beekeepers with many years of knowledge between them, and covers the following topics:
Week 1 The Honeybee, Colony, Castes, Anatomy & Lifecycle
Week 2 Hive Hardware, Tools, Apiary Layout & Protective Clothing,
Week 3 Sourcing & Hiving Bees,The Bees’ Year, Swarm Prevention / Control, Taking a Swarm, Uniting Colonies, Sources of Nectar / Pollen
Week 4 Harvesting & Hive Products
Week 5 Bee Diseases, pests
Week 6 Feeding and winter preparation, The Beekeeping Year
Included in the cost of the course is a copy of The Haynes Bee Manual, which includes step by step sequences, instructions, and specially created diagrams.
A Certificate of Completion on the Introduction to Beekeeping will be given to attendees.
This certificate is approved by the Federation of Irish Beekeepers' Associations (FIBKA) and is issued by Fingal North Dublin Beekeepers' Association.
Step one
The cost of the 2025 Beginners' Course will be posted in November. This will be a flat fee will charged in advance, and covers the six lectures, the Haynes manual and attendance certification.
Our courses have become very popular in recent years, so your place on the six week course will only be confirmed with payment of the course fee.
Step Two
Then, on completion of the six-week course, if a beginner wishes to proceed further with beekeeping, they are invited to become a member of our association. This will then include progression to level two, involving visits to the Association apiary and annual insurance which is important if you are considering beekeeping.
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If you have any questions please contact beginners@fingalbeekeepers.net
Another excellent way to get involved in beekeeping is to join our association, attend the monthly meetings and chat to members. At the end of the first year you will be in a good position to decide if you wish to take a beekeeping course and become a beekeeper.
Many other beekeeping associations, run their own beginners’ courses. If you are not in Dublin, you will find the location of your local association on the FIBKA website www.irishbeekeeping.ie.
