Aside from some early detours caused by an over reliance on the sat-nav and one of our driver's earnest commitment to long and detailed discussions with his front passenger - a bit like a male and Scottish version of Hilda Ogden on speed - we arrived safe and sound in the beautiful and historic town of Cahir mid afternoon on Saturday 20th June. The 'we' being a group of a dozen beekeepers from the Mid Antrim and Randalstown and District Associations plus a couple of beekeepers from the Intermediate course at Greenmount.

Preparation for the following day began with dinner in the hotel - a fine Georgian building at one end of Cahir's main square - followed by an exploration by some of us, of the town's pubs and bars. Later, after regrouping in the hotel bar, a couple of the more intrepid (including the aforementioned driver) visited the local nightclub held on the hotel's premises. But sadly, lost in a time warp somewhere between the Beetles and Dire Straits, our two hardy souls thought they had landed on another planet and soon beat a hasty retreat.

A 'Full Irish' set us all up on Sunday morning and this was followed by a stroll down to the river and on to the well-preserved Norman castle, seat of the Butler family. On the way, a black bin bag was produced and into it all manner of flowers and plants were stowed - soon to add to the glory of a couple of gardens in Ballymena and Belfast. Antrim people are very resourceful! A tour of the castle was conducted by a guide who was both highly entertaining and informative; though he did have a predilection stories that all had the same ending - decapitation.

After lunch we arrived at Glengarra Wood, Burncourt, home of Micheal MacGiollaCoda and site of the Galtee Bee Breeders Apiary. Many of the counties of Ireland were represented by the beekeepers present and there must have been at least sixty of us. Despite the numbers, we were all able to observe, participate and learn from the separate presentations. Organised into groups of between five and eight we were taken round by a leader to each of the three main demonstrations. These comprised: grafting, including the selection of larvae and practical use of the grafting tool and equipment, colony evaluation and how to score and record results for later comparison, and finally the making up of mini-nucs (Apideas) and their care. There was also a demonstration relating to morphometry and the use of the microscope.

About 4.30pm a large 'spread' was produced - all from home-made contributions made by local beekeepers and their families. The sun continued to shine, as it had done all day and a good time was had by all. What a great way to spend Mid-summer's Day! Our Caledonian driver did manage to miss the Belfast turn off from the M50 but was somehow able to retrieve the situation.

| Updated: 16.8.2009 |