COURSES
Learn about beekeeping.
A good way to learn about honey bees is come and chat with beekeepers at one of our public events. Check out the websites of the Federation of Irish Beekeepers’ Associations and the Ulster Beekeepers Association which answer many frequently asked questions (FAQ).
Fermanagh & Omagh District Council website also has some interesting (but slightly dated) information on their website.
We email news flashes and information sheets on issues that may affect local beekeepers.
We are also host a beekeeper queen-rearing skills programme. Click here for details.
Courses on beekeeping
Fermanagh Beekeepers’ Association, along with Ulster Beekeepers’ Association(UBKA), CAFRE and Open College Network NI (OCNNI), offer 2 levels of beekeeping education.
Both courses follow pathways to an endorsed award.
‘Introduction to Beekeeping’ is a Level 1 endorsed course for people interested in beekeeping OR who wish to take up beekeeping OR who wish to refresh their basic skills.
The course consists of seven classroom sessions, followed by sessions in the Association apiary to experience handling bees, learn to recognise the various stages of bee development and gain confidence. Both theory and practical work will be assessed.
‘Proficiency in Beekeeping’ is a Level 3 endorsed course to develop and expand on knowledge and experience gained in the introductory course. Entrance requirement to this course is for the applicant to hold ‘Introduction to Beekeeping’ qualification or its equivalent. The course theory spans two years, with fifteen two hour sessions per year. Assessment is by means of completed workbooks. Students are expected to gain practical experience in both their own apiary and the Association apiary. Their skills will be assessed at a time suitable to them and UBKA.
Both courses are run by well qualified and experienced members of FBKA.
For information on content of each course, visit cafre.ac.uk. Put ‘beekeeping’ into the search box. Register interest in the course and CAFRE will get in touch when the course opens.
Education Update
• Introduction to beekeeping course will start again in Jan 2023.
• Proficiency in Beekeeping course started online in November 2022.
1. Every Winter / Spring, the Fermanagh Beekeepers’ Association holds a beginners’ course. So, if you’d like to learn more about bees and beekeeping, then a great place to start would be to attend the Preliminary Course in Beekeeping. This beginners course is on Monday evenings at 7.30 pm, in the Enniskillen campus of the College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) beginning in February.
After the classroom sessions you will be able to join (once suitably attired!) our outdoor demonstrations at the society’s apiary.
The fee, including tea and biscuits every night, is just £135.
Practical sessions are held in the nearby Apiary, Saturday mornings at 10.00 am.
Places can be booked using the CAFRE website at the beekeeping section.
Anyone who experiences any problems with booking please get in contact with us.