COLETTE O 'Connell Chairperson
Chairperson
Colette is a third generation beekeeper; her grandparents and uncles kept bees in Co. Kerry.
Colette took up beekeeping in the 1990’s in Co. Waterford, where she was tutored by some of the great beekeepers, many no longer with us, Claire Chavasse, Tom and Noel Lonergan, (The Tailors in Cappoquin), Martin Curran whose sons PJ and Jack continue in beekeeping, Michael Moynihan and his son Micheál who continues the family business, Moynihans Honey. After a break of several years, with serious environmental battles which ended in success at the European Court of Justice, she returned to the world of beekeeping. Determined to give back some of what the previous generation gave she threw herself into the Co. Waterford Beekeepers’ Association and was secretary for three years before taking on the role of Chairperson for the past two years. During that time, Co. WBKA have been overall runners up in the Waterford City and County Community and Voluntary Awards; and in subsequent years won the Environmental Section of these awards.
Thanks to the increased profile of beekeeping within the county there has been a doubling of the numbers attending Beekeeping classes. Co. WBKA set up it’s own apiary, working in partnership with the local authority. The apiary has been a huge bonus for beekeepers at local level, with beginners learning from the best, our experienced keepers of bees and seeing first hand different ways of handling bees. The apiary is a focal point during the summer months; the experienced eyes and hands showing how quickly a virgin is found, handled and marked; whilst the conversation continues on how many supers are on hives and comparisons and suggestions shared. An experienced not to be missed!!!
Regular contact with tree planting in schools exposes future generations to the joy of keeping honey bees.
Last year, Co. Waterford’s Heritage Plan under Biodiversity, due to the input of the Co. WBKA, adopted the National Pollinators Plan. It is hoped that some of the practical suggestions of The Plan will come into force throughout the County. Colette is one of two elected Environmental representatives on the Waterford Secretariat and uses this position to highlight and put in place practical measures to assist pollinators and honey bees
Colette has four children, now young adults, some of whom continue in University. All have assisted her with beekeeping; with the younger two enjoying the Gormanston experience. Her daughter with the assistance of Micheal and Aoife Mac Giolla Coda, did some research on grooming traits in Apis m. mellifera, which culminated in a prize winning Project at the BT Young Scientist and at GMIT and at the Eco Unesco Young Environmental Awards.
In 2016, Colette was given the honour of being “Honey Queen” and represented beekeepers throughout the country at Honey Shows around the country. Colette was involved in setting up the Native Irish (NIHBS) and acted as Honorary Secretary for the society during it’s inaugural year. She is a staunch supporter of our Native Irish Honey Bee, Apis m. mellifera; a close examinations of the photo of her Honey Queen sash shows the promotional NIHBS black sticker prominently displayed on same.
Colette continues to work full-time outside the home; having trained as a social worker, she works with adults with intellectual disability.
Colette believes that Ireland needs a fair and equal organisation to promote honey bees and foster mutual respect amongst all beekeepers. For this reason she supports the creation of The Irish Beekeepers' Association, CLG.
(Colette is a 1 st dan black belt in Judo so mind yourselves folks!!!)
Colette is a third generation beekeeper; her grandparents and uncles kept bees in Co. Kerry.
Colette took up beekeeping in the 1990’s in Co. Waterford, where she was tutored by some of the great beekeepers, many no longer with us, Claire Chavasse, Tom and Noel Lonergan, (The Tailors in Cappoquin), Martin Curran whose sons PJ and Jack continue in beekeeping, Michael Moynihan and his son Micheál who continues the family business, Moynihans Honey. After a break of several years, with serious environmental battles which ended in success at the European Court of Justice, she returned to the world of beekeeping. Determined to give back some of what the previous generation gave she threw herself into the Co. Waterford Beekeepers’ Association and was secretary for three years before taking on the role of Chairperson for the past two years. During that time, Co. WBKA have been overall runners up in the Waterford City and County Community and Voluntary Awards; and in subsequent years won the Environmental Section of these awards.
Thanks to the increased profile of beekeeping within the county there has been a doubling of the numbers attending Beekeeping classes. Co. WBKA set up it’s own apiary, working in partnership with the local authority. The apiary has been a huge bonus for beekeepers at local level, with beginners learning from the best, our experienced keepers of bees and seeing first hand different ways of handling bees. The apiary is a focal point during the summer months; the experienced eyes and hands showing how quickly a virgin is found, handled and marked; whilst the conversation continues on how many supers are on hives and comparisons and suggestions shared. An experienced not to be missed!!!
Regular contact with tree planting in schools exposes future generations to the joy of keeping honey bees.
Last year, Co. Waterford’s Heritage Plan under Biodiversity, due to the input of the Co. WBKA, adopted the National Pollinators Plan. It is hoped that some of the practical suggestions of The Plan will come into force throughout the County. Colette is one of two elected Environmental representatives on the Waterford Secretariat and uses this position to highlight and put in place practical measures to assist pollinators and honey bees
Colette has four children, now young adults, some of whom continue in University. All have assisted her with beekeeping; with the younger two enjoying the Gormanston experience. Her daughter with the assistance of Micheal and Aoife Mac Giolla Coda, did some research on grooming traits in Apis m. mellifera, which culminated in a prize winning Project at the BT Young Scientist and at GMIT and at the Eco Unesco Young Environmental Awards.
In 2016, Colette was given the honour of being “Honey Queen” and represented beekeepers throughout the country at Honey Shows around the country. Colette was involved in setting up the Native Irish (NIHBS) and acted as Honorary Secretary for the society during it’s inaugural year. She is a staunch supporter of our Native Irish Honey Bee, Apis m. mellifera; a close examinations of the photo of her Honey Queen sash shows the promotional NIHBS black sticker prominently displayed on same.
Colette continues to work full-time outside the home; having trained as a social worker, she works with adults with intellectual disability.
Colette believes that Ireland needs a fair and equal organisation to promote honey bees and foster mutual respect amongst all beekeepers. For this reason she supports the creation of The Irish Beekeepers' Association, CLG.
(Colette is a 1 st dan black belt in Judo so mind yourselves folks!!!)
