Mid Kilkenny beekeepers come to the rescue

At this time of year it  is a regular occurrence that bees swarm. The honey bees  should not be confused with wasps. Generally the bees will coalesce into a large bundle around the queen bee located possibly on a wall as they decide where they’re going to go to next. The bees in this situation are quite docile and the risk of getting a sting is  low so long as the bees are not disturbed.

This week KKB called in the mid-Kilkenny Beekeepers  to help when a swarm landed on one of Kilkenny’s historic limestone walls in the city centre. Congratulations to the beekeepers who had a volunteer out within an hour to help and a local building contractor who assessed to gain access. The swarm was collected and brought to a new hive. It is important that we protect and look after our pollinators in particular the honey bees.

 

Community Orchard on Bennettsbridge rd. gets summer weeding.

Many thanks to the Lions Club and Dukesmeadows residents association who joined forces with KKB to undertake a Summer weeding of the Bennettsbridge rd., community orchard. The orchard has a variety of  fruit tree types and also fruit bushes in an attractive location adjacent to  the access route to the river Nore walks. The variety of trees and bushes  is attractive for  our pollinators and also provide autumn fruit  and berries which is of interest to  wildlife.

Why not Savour Kilkenny City

Savour Kilkenny City during the Halloween Bank Holiday Break. There is plenty to see!

St Johns Church, John Street,  the bee friendly wildlife garden is to the side developed as part of the all Ireland pollinator plan.

Kilkenny Co Co adopts the black and amber bumble bee

 

A fitting  county emblem which will also raise the  importance of bees as pollinators. KKB works each year to improve the range of honey and bumble  bee friendly planting throughout our city.

Crab apple blossom attracts!

Summer wild flowers

Sunflower attraction!

Bumble bees enjoy the summer lavender

 

Rothe House Garden and KKB – open garden day

Saturday May 28th : Presentation at Bee friendly Rothe House garden  1pm-3pm.    There will also be the identification  of bee/pollinator  friendly plants. All are welcome.  Entry to the Gardens is free  to all on the day.  Arranged by KKB and Rothe House gardens.

We also welcome Tanguy de Toulgoët   a bee keeper to explain the art of bee keeping. He uses a French system using a  vertical divisible hive. The small boxes suits very well the size of the bee cluster especially during the winter. It is a great hive to keep bees naturally. They organise their nest in their own way and the surplus honey is harvested (if any) around August. The honey is stored in the higher boxes. The honey will be pressed or can be eaten in the comb. A full box is always left for the bees for the winter.

Rothe house gardens

Rothe house gardens