Milltownpass buzzing at launch of new beehives
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Kevin Ring (local beekeeper) with Damian Morrin, Orla Brady and Don Stalenis, the volunteers who competed beekeeper training.Image 2 of 20
Ronan Lynskey (Milltownpass Tidy Towns) and Kevin Ring (local beekeeper).Image 3 of 20
Dermot Bennett, Milltownpass, and Phil Raphael, Raharney.Image 4 of 20
Phil Raphael from Raharney, owner of Apishop, who supplied the beehives for the Milltownpass Bees Community Apiary.Image 5 of 20
Ian Manning from Rathowen (Lake County Bee Keeping Association), Padraig O’Donnell from Mullingar and Johann Kielesch from Milltownpass.Image 6 of 20
Audrey and Orla Brady from Milltownpass viewing the books and information about bees.Image 7 of 20
Christy Wright from Milltownpass with Tidy Towns committee members Ronan Lynskey and John Delamere (chairperson), and Sadhbh Lynskey.Image 8 of 20
Timas, Tia, Rima and Don Stalenis from Milltownpass at the launch of Milltownpass community apiary.Image 9 of 20
Milltownpass beekeepers, Dermot Bennett, Paul Lynch, Kevin Ring and Johann Kielesch.Image 10 of 20
Ronan Lynskey (Milltownpass Tidy Towns) speaking at the event.Image 11 of 20
Orla Brady receiving a gift for completing beekeeper training from Ian Manning (Lake County Bee Keeping Association).Image 12 of 20
Damian Morrin receiving a gift for completing beekeeper training, with Ian Manning, Lake County Bee Keeping Association,Image 13 of 20
Don Stalenis receiving a gift for completing beekeeper training from Ian Manning (Lake County Bee Keeping Association).Image 14 of 20
Ian Manning (Lake County Bee Keeping Association) presenting a gift to Kevin Ring for the support and mentorship of the Milltownpass community apiary.Image 15 of 20
The new hives in situ.Image 16 of 20
The new hives in situ.Image 17 of 20
The new hives in situ.Image 18 of 20
Photos and report by Jay G FordeImage 19 of 20
Damian Morrin (left) and Kevin Ring settling in a new queen (full image below).Image 20 of 20
Damian Morrin (left) and Kevin Ring settling in a new queen (full image below).Milltownpass was buzzing on Friday week last (June 12) as the local Tidy Towns committee presented a beekeeping project that involves two community beehives and a number of newly trained beekeepers in the area.
The new Milltownpass Bees Community Apiary project is part of the Five Year Community Biodiversity Plan. It is supported by funding from the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Milltownpass Tidy Towns are well advanced in terms of biodiversity action plans in the village, including awareness events such as a bat walk and talk and the barn owl project, but, according to Milltownpass Tidy Towns treasurer Ronan Lynskey: “This is one really nice tangible action, where you’re really taking proactive steps to try and support biodiversity.”
Local beekeeper Kevin Ring was brought in when the Tidy Town committee brought up the idea of a community apiary. “My wife and I moved here a year ago and shortly after we moved, my wife became involved with the Tidy Towns Committee. At one of their meetings, it was mentioned that they had a vision to get some bees into the village, and my wife volunteered me, so they approached me with the idea and I thought it was good and was it worth giving it a shot.”
Kevin took up beekeeping eight years ago and said: “Every day gives you a new insight into how bees operate.”
The project started six months ago he added: “The only two things I asked the Tidy Towns committee to contribute were to canvass people in the village and see if they would train people into beekeepers, and secondly, if there are any existing beekeepers in the village, maybe go to them first, give them a chance to say no [to being involved].”
Funding was secured for beehives and equipment. Ronan said:
“Equipment is no good unless you have people who know how to use it,” which led to three volunteers who completed beekeeper training at Lake County Beekeeping Association in preparation for caring for the hives.
The volunteers are Orla Brady, Damian Morrin and Don Stalenis, who are community members as well as part of the Tidy Towns.
On the night of the launch, people were able to meet the new community beekeepers as well as former beekeepers, learn about bees and pollinators, and see the beekeeping equipment made by Apishop up close, as well as enjoy tea, coffee and baked goods.