The association organises monthly meeting for our members, featuring practical beekeeping topics including disease control, catching a swarm and swarm management, making mead and much more. We also organise social events, such as the annual barbecue, Christmas dinner, tail gate party in our apiary and hold a members raffle each month.
Thursday Feb, 7-9pm with speaker John McMullan, ‘Managing AFB in your apiary’
John McMullan has kept honeybee colonies in North County Dublin and in County Galway. He was Honorary Secretary of FNDBKA for twenty five years and has been in contact with many members' colonies over the years. He is an engineer by profession and in 2007 received a doctorate in Zoology (parasitology) from Trinity College Dublin. His particular interest is in the parasites of the honeybee, mainly parasitic mites, and has authored several scientific papers, including his well known book ‘Having healthy honeybees – The beekeeping and science’. John was awarded Laoch na Beachaireachta in 2024 for his significant contribution to beekeeping.
Thursday 5 March, 7-9pm with speaker Michael Kelly
Topic: ‘Solid wood floors versus open mesh floors’ discussion and report from his research project on this topic. Also on the evening, a discussion on making your own beekeeping equipment and saving propolis.
Biog: Michael Kelly - an engineer by profession, and master beekeeper for well over 40 years. Michael is a well-known mentor to numerous beginners, and has served on the committee since the foundation of the association in 1977. He was also the association apiary manager for 18 years.
Thursday 9 April 7-9pm
Saturday 11 April 11am - 2pm Beginners and improvers workshop
Thursday 7 May 7-9pm General meeting
Garden visit – date and venue to follow, and last year we visited the renowned Shackleton Garden.
Saturday 6 June, 11am – 2pm – Apiary visit, and demonstrations, followed by the tail gate party and barbecue.
Thursday 3 Sept 7-9pm
Thursday 1 Oct 7-9pm AGM
Thursday 5 Nov 7-9pm Fun Honey Show followed by The John McMullan Cup competition
Christmas dinner – date to follow
