Welcome to the County Louth Beekeepers Association (LBKA) websiteOriginally founded in the summer of 1910, our association works on behalf of member beekeepers, providing opportunities to learn the craft and science of beekeeping. Equally important, we provide a social outlet for members to meet with fellow beekeepers - opportunities to share tips and tales. We are blessed to have many excellent beekeepers who are always willing to share their knowledge and experiences.
Our association is committed to supporting the native dark bee, Apis mellifera mellifera. We are affiliated to our national body, the Federation of Irish Beekeepers Associations (FIBKA). We provide our members with classes and support to attain FIBKA academic and practical certifications. Read more about us here. Education - Beginners
As in previous years, we will be running a beginners course, starting with a Meet The Beekeepers event on 14th January at 7:30 pm in Teagasc, Dundalk. This event is to help explain the beginners course and to give you some useful information. You will get an opportunity to chat with more experienced beekeepers who will be only too happy to talk about bees all evening.
The cost of the course is €180 for an individual or €250 for a family (2 adults). Young beekeepers under 18 can join the course for free, but they must be accompanied by an adult. The fee includes annual membership of LBKA and FIBKA. Full details of the course content and dates/times are on our beginners page. You can sign up in our shop, or by contacting the secretary. Gift CertificatesWe're offering gift certificates for sale in the shop for annual membership (individual & family), so if you know someone who might appreciate an unusual present, this might just be for them!
We also have gift certificates for the beginners course. Our ApiariesWe have five apiaries: one is located outside Newry and our training, queen-rearing and mating apiaries are located near the M1 roundabout at Junction 16, where members can come and gain practical experience through the beekeeping year. We also have another smaller apiary, which is used for breeding bees.
We have completely renovated what was a semi-derelict building on the M1 apiary site, and cleared and levelled much of the surrounding ground. It was recently painted, and now has functioning ladies' & gents' toilets too, and has even had heating added in the form of a wood-burning stove. The roof has been repaired and it's a wonderful location for lectures (like the one above), although with the lack of electricity for lighting, that will probably be reserved for the summer.
Bee HealthFor a change, here's some information on something that's FREE! The Department of Agriculture's Honey bee Health Surveillance Programme provides disease testing for bees for free. If you send samples of bees and/or comb, they can test for Foulbrood, Nosema and more, and all it'll cost you is the price of a stamp. A surprisingly small number of beekeepers avail of this service - the department would like far more samples since this also gives them an idea of what diseases are present in Ireland. The recommendation is to send in samples from all your hives twice a year, and especially whenever you suspect there may be something wrong.
Send your samples along with this form to the address on the form. Looking after your beesThe contents of this website by Louth Beekeepers' Association is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 |
Winning HoneyThe honey from our Aughnagun Apiary was entered into the London Honey Show in 2023 and it came first in its class. In 2024, it "only" managed second, itself a terrific achievement. Paul Boyle brought home a second and a third prize, and Jaanike Pukkonen won a third prize too.
Winning anything in the show is a huge honour and reflects the quality of the honey produced by LBKA members. Membership FeesIt's now time to pay your membership fees for 2025. There is no increase this year so our fees will remain €80 for an individual and €125 for a family. However, after 1st January, this will increase by €20, so there's good motivation to pay on time.
Remember that you get liability insurance, 12 copies of An Beachaire, online copies of BBKA News, access to the association apiary and the learning opportunities there, as well as the monthly lectures, so it's a real bargain. All new members must complete the FIBKA membership form. Note: The service provider of our online shop charges €5 so the prices are slightly higher. However, the normal prices apply if paying by direct debit or personally. Note: Please make sure the secretary has your address, including your Eircode! PaymentsThere are a number of ways to pay:
Attendees at the NIHBS AGM
A number of our members attended the NIHBS AGM in Athlone, and three are pictured here - L-R: Paul Boyle, Frankie de Dobbelaere, Michael Palmer, Roger Patterson and Brendan Murray
Upcoming Events
We have a number of events planned for the rest of this year
Winter Varroa Treatments Saturday 30th November in Kevin Griffin Apiary at 11:00 AM: Demo of Api-Bioxal trickle treatment for Varroa. The Irish Black Bee Thursday 5th December in Teagasc, Dundalk at 7:30 PM: Apis mellifera mellifera - where it came from and where it fits in, with Fergal Begley. What to do with your wax Saturday 7th December in Kevin Griffin Apiary at 11:00 AM: Candle making Christmas Party Wednesday 11th December in Scoraíocht Lann Léire at 7:00 PM: Celebrate that there are no hives to inspect with food and craic. Flowers and Bees Thursday, 16th January in Teagasc, Dundalk at 7:30 PM: All year plants and planting for pollinators, with Declan de Freitas About this websiteThis website is a work in progress, if members have interesting articles, stories, pictures, videos etc. that they'd like to submit for inclusion, please get in touch. We would be delighted to publish a blog post from anyone who has something to say. If you would like to share something but you're unsure about any aspect, we'll be delighted to help where we can. You can contact us at: [email protected], or through the contact form.
About eventsEvents usually start at 8pm in Teagasc, Dundalk (see map). Beginners are welcome and admission is free. See the map below if you need help finding us.
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