It was during the autumn last year that we noticed that the abandoned hive had bees in it, but it was decided that this wouldn’t be the right time to disturb them and move them as if we did they might not survive the winter.  Instead we decided to keep an eye on them over the winter and leave them in the shelter of the abandoned garden and the bramble thicket that was helping to insulate the hive.

By early April it was obvious that the bees had survived the winter and were busy foraging on the laurel and willow bushes which were in flower close by.  When the weather warmed up a few weeks later we decided that it was time to open the hive and see what was inside.

First of all the bramble was cleared, very carefully fromaround the hive.  It wasn’t known if the bramble was actually holding the hive together as well as insulating it, so we had to work very carefully.  Once the bramble was cleared, it became more obvious that the bees were only accessing the hive through a small hole in the side of the roof.

A small amount of smoke was puffed in through this hole and we waited a short while before lifting the roof.  Having lifted the roof we could see that the bees were usingonly  a part of the inside of the hive.  Comb was attached directly to the underside of the roof.

We are pleased to present our first Honeybee Calendar, which is the results of a seasonal photo competition amongst our members.

Every month you discover a few fascinating facts about the honeybees. You learn to know, if bees can recognise colours, if they sleep and you find out how many flowers they need to visits to collect a pound of honey. You will see many pictures with bees carrying pollen sacks on their legs. Why pollen bags are the “The Bees Knees” is explained in April.

The calendar is for beekeepers, their families and all friends of the honeybee. We also will give free copies to local schools and beekeeping beginners. This is happily done in line with our objective to raise public awareness on the importance of bees and beekeeping to the environment.

If you are interested please contact the club on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on our whatsapp group.

This short video about beekeeping has been developed in conjunction with students of the Kerry ETB (Education Training Board) and the Beaufort Beekeepers Association. The video features 2 of our founding members (Dan and Tuddy) and the chairperson (Ulrich) and reflects our mindset at the Beaufort Beekeepers - being focused on natural beekeeping, preserving the craft and the honeybee! Enjoy the video and contact us, if you have any queries or want to join a vibrant honey bee association in Co. Kerry. Finally, we thank Seamus and Peter for their work and time invested in this educating video clip. It was a pleasure working with you in the apiary. You are pure professionals.

Beekeeping has always been an important activity in Beaufort, Co. Kerry and has been practiced by people in the area for hundreds of years.

The Beaufort Beekeepers are a friendly bunch of people who are interested in bees and beekeeping and of course, everything associated with it, from using the wax and propolis, to producing honey and helping to conserve our native black honey bee (Apis mellifera mellifera).

We are an association of hobbyist and semi-commercial beekeepers founded in 2011 by a small group and now our membership numbers stands at approx. 50. We don’t limit ourselves to beekeepers from Beaufort as we have members coming to us from as far south as Waterville, from Tralee to the north and Gneeveguilla in the east!

Over 70 beekeepers attended the 1st Kerry Beekeepers’ Gathering at the Beaufort Bar in Beaufort last night. The Beaufort Beekeepers hosted the event and are delighted with the turn out with beekeepers representing their respective clubs travelling from Dunmanway, Beara Peninsula, Killorglin, Castleisland, Dingle and Tralee. The night was a great success and hopefully a precursor to future gatherings of Beekeeping associations in the West-Cork/Kerry area. The event was attended by Beekeepers of all levels and as intended, information and practices shared amongst the clubs.

The first speaker was Tom O’Sullivan of Collis Sandes Beekeepers, Tralee. Tom explained how he recycles all his old wax and cappings to make his own foundation sheets for brood frames and supers. Next up was Donal Kelleher from Dunmanway & District Beekeepers.

On the Thursday the 6th of February the Beaufort Beekeepers invite all Kerry Beekeepers Associations to join the 1st Kerry Beekeepers Gathering at 8p.m. in Beaufort Bar, Beaufort, Co. Kerry.

The evening is under the motto: “Show and Tell"

A couple of our very own Beekeepers will show and explain tried and tested but new methods in
Beekeeping. Learn how to make your own foundation or wire your own frames. Of course, there will be
plenty time to have chat on/about our favourite buzzing hobby during and after the Show & Tell sessions.

Show & Tell 1: Roll your own foundation
Speaker: Tom O’Sullivan (Collis Sandes Beekeepers, Tralee)
Tom is beekeeping since 1977. For the past couple of years, he makes his own foundation. He says: ”It is
too simple, not to do it!.” All his foundation is wire free and it works best for him. Why? – Ask him on the
night.

Show & Tell 2: A brood and a half
Speaker: Donal Kelleher (Dunmanway & District Beekeepers)
Donal is a beekeeper with the past decade. He will give a brief presentation on brood and a half and
increasing the stock of bees for the honey flow. Do you raise your own queens? If yes, Donal has some
tips for you on raising queens.