Royal County Beekeepers Association                                          events for 2026

 

                                              Lectures

                       Lectures 2026   Dalgen Park Navan

                                                  Monday January 26th   7.30 pm      

Brendan Murray will be holding a lecture on. The benefits                               of drones in the colony. 

I’ve been keeping bees for 13 years, and a few years into it, I decided to retire after 40 years in the computer industry—partly to relax, but mostly to free up more time for the bees. These days, the two things that occupy me most are beekeeping and fishing.

I’m currently the treasurer of the Co. Louth Beekeepers’ Association and previously served as secretary of FIBKA. I don’t keep a huge number of hives—once I go above ten, it starts feeling more like work than fun—although keeping it below that level can be… aspirational. At the moment, I have twelve.

I’m a firm believer in learning as much as possible about whatever I’m doing. I followed the FIBKA education pathway and received my Senior Certificate earlier this year, and I also completed the University of Galway’s Diploma in Apiculture, which was enormously informative. I enjoy sharing what I’ve learned, and I plan to take the CFL exam if it helps me do that even better.

I love discussing bees and beekeeping with anyone who’ll listen. This is fine when they’re beekeepers—less so, apparently, when it’s my wife, who often nudges me and gently suggests I stop talking about bees. I suspect I’m not alone in this.

In short, I’m just an ordinary beekeeper who loves what he does!

  - Brendan

                                                Monday 23rd February  7.30 PM

 

Mary Montaut is a prominent Irish beekeeper, author, and environmental educator based in Bray, Co. Wicklow. As the former editor of The Irish Beekeeper (An Beachaire) and a member of the Federation of Irish Beekeepers' Associations (FIBKA), she is a vocal advocate for the protection of pollinators, serving on the steering committee of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. 

Key Aspects of Her Work:

  • Beekeeping & Advocacy: With over 20–25 years of experience, she is known for her enthusiastic approach to beekeeping and education on both honey bees and wild pollinators.
  • Environmental Education: She frequently speaks at events like Bloom and with local community groups, promoting sustainable gardening practices that support biodiversity.
  • Focus on Pollinator Habitats: Montaut advocates for planting pollinator-friendly gardens to increase local biodiversity and improve fruit yields.
  • Expertise: Her background includes studying English Literature at Cambridge and working as a former lecturer, which she now combines with her passion for ecology. 

She actively encourages the public to understand the vital, interconnected role of bees and plants in the ecosystem. 

                                                         Saturday 14th March 11am                      

 Dr Plamen Entchev Medical doctor specializing in Apitherapy, especially in the treatment of wounds.

A recent speaker at Apimondia 2025, this promises to be a great lecture. Due to his work commitments, we had to hold the lecture on a Saturday.

                                                   

                                                 Monday April 13th  7.30pm

Simon o`cronin will be holding a lecture on swarm control. No doubt it will be a mixture of knowledge and some great stories.

  • Lecturer & Educator: He is a frequent guest speaker for various regional groups, including the County Louth Beekeepers' Association and the Royal County Beekeepers Association 
  • Specialised Topics: His lectures cover critical beekeeping skills such as:
    • Swarm Control: Managing the natural reproductive cycle of bee colonies.
    • Making Mead: The traditional craft of fermenting honey.
    • Efficient Beekeeping: Strategies for managing hives effectively, particularly for those with limited time.
  • Media Presence: He has appeared on local radio, such as the LMFM Late Lunch programme, to share insights on the craft and environmental issues affecting bees.
  • Author: He recently authored a book about beekeeping and the world of bees, further establishing his role as a leading educator in the field. 

       We will be hopefully holding our last lecture later on in the season , on preparing honey for shows. Just before the                                                                                         RCBKA show in September

Arbor Day will be taking place on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at Dalgen Park. The time of                                                             the event will be posted. 

                        Beginner Course

If you wish to attend the beginner's course, please go to the page, and all the details you need are there for you. Any other                             questions, don't hesitate to send a message on the contact form. Located on the home page.

                            RCBKA Honey Show 2026

                                The annual RCBKA Honey Show will be taking place on Sunday 7th September in Trim