Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board’s College of FET, An tIonad Glas – Organic Campus and its beekeeping tutor Catherine Caulwell are delighted to have been named by the Native Irish Honey Bee Society as a Native Irish Honey Bee Conservation Area. The signs will be proudly displayed on the gates of the campus in Dromcollogher marking this achievement. Creating a conservation area in Dromcollogher is important to assist local biodiversity and the Irish Honey Bee’s health and survival long term.
Beekeeping tutor at An tIonad Glas – Organic Campus, Catherine Caulwell.
Commenting on the news, Dr Sinéad Neiland, Organic Campus, Centre Manager, said: “We are delighted to achieve this accolade as it endorses the work of our learners to increase biodiversity in the campus gardens and commends our beekeepers’ efforts in maintaining our Native Honey Bee”.
The decline of the Irish Honey Bee, Apis mellifera mellifera, has been attributed to the unrestricted mating with imported non-native subspecies. Mating occurs in the air, often miles from the hive and out of the control of the beekeeper, and as a result, foreign drones (male honey bees) can mate with our native queens. The resulting generations are hybrids, leading to the dilution of Apis mellifera mellifera’s locally-evolved characteristics and the gradual extinction of the species. Subsequent generations can become increasingly erratic and potentially more aggressive.
The Organic Campus apiary, with no less than 10 colonies, is situated in a far corner of the campus’ organic gardens where the organic horticulture learners study how to grow a range of organic fruit, vegetables, herbs, flowers and trees. Beekeeping classes are held on Fridays. The campus is still accepting applications for Beekeeping and Organic Horticulture courses this autumn. To find out more, call 063 83604 or email oifig@organiccollege.com
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