This article is from page 28 of the 2008-03-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 28 JPG
BEEKEEPING seems an unlikely urban hobby but it is one that is thriv- ing in Ennis.
The Banner Beekeepers is a vo- lountary association with over 50 members in Clare with around half of these living in Ennis.
Now the association is looking to attract new members with a series of talks and workshops, the first of which takes place at the Teagasc Centre, Ennis on March 6.
The Banner Beekeepers provides a support network for those starting out in beekeeping plenty of advice can be found from more experienced
beekeepers.
The association is also holding a five-week evening course – An Intro- duction to Beekeeping, to be held at Teagasc on Thursday nights.
A number of activities, including lectures by well-known beekeepers, are being lined up for the year ahead. In May the association intends set- ting up a new bee apiary in Inagh.
The Irish Seedsavers Association, Scariff are also setting up a bee api- ary and have been granted permis- sion for its use by the Banner Bee- keepers during the summer
Aoife McGuiness of the Banner Beekeepers explained that Ennis represents an ideal environment for
beekeepers.
She said, “Anyone can learn to keep bees whether you live in the country or town. Clare is an excellent county for bees and honey production and no area more so than Ennis. Many people think that if you live in a town or city that it would be impossible to keep bees”
“There are numerous beekeepers that keep a hive or two in their back garden. As long as you acquire a nice docile strain, they will not bother ZT ONO) onal
‘There is also plenty of nectar for the bees to collect in the gardens of a town’.
She added that bee products have
many uses some of them medici- nal, “Honey is the most commonly known product of the honeybee, which is produced from the nectar of blossoms. Apart from tasting so good, it is a natural antiseptic, and is full of enzymes.”
“The honeybees produce many other useful products. Local honey is very beneficial to those who suffer from hayfever because of the local pollen content. Propolis is another by-product. It contains antiseptic properties and 1s said to have benefi- cial effects on sore throats”.
For more info enkene bannerbees@gmail.com or contact 087 6743030.