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A page of links to FIBKA Gormanston Summer School related pages on this web site and
others. This has become necessary as the number of pages and documents involved has
escalated to become larger than can be accommodated properly on each individual page. Such
a large bulk of information goes some way to conveying how enthusiastic I am about this
very important annual event, which really does have to be visited before you can fully
understand it's importance.
It seems to me, that every beekeeper who encounters the Gormanston conference for
the fist time, is also enthused to a similar degree, I have to admit to becoming quite
excited as the next year's event draws closer.
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The creation of this index also provides me with a place that I can lodge some
additional photographs that have not been included in the various previous year's reports.
The links at left are roughly in date order of when they were first written, most
of the photos are attributed to those that took them, but if I have missed any, please tell
me by Email and I will correct the matter. The 2002 programme was assemble retrospectively from
file fragments found in Internet archives. The 2004 programme was also retrospectively put together,
using a file from the original
irishbeekeeping.ie web site that
I had saved on my computer.
The outside of the yew walk is visible in many of the existing pictures, this one
by Chris Slade shows what it is like from the inside.
Although the Gormanston course is a beekeeping summer school, there is plenty for
non beekeepers to do. There is a wide range of facilities in the College which are
available free of charge to the families of those attending the Summer School, including a
well appointed swimming Pool, squash courts, handball and tennis, a private 9 hole golf
course. There is also a running track, but recently this has fallen into disrepair... There
are many acres of parkland available to walk in and enjoy.
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Gormanston beach is about a mile from the college and I understand that
there are fishing facilities for those that wish to pursue the sport of angling.
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On rare occasions there are some unusual loud noises from the Air Gunnery school,
but on the occasions that this has happened while I have been there, it has never caused
any problems. When the gunnery school is in session there area number of army guys in the
pubs that may make them a little busier than usual.
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If you can arrange to bring a bicycle there are many interesting places within
easy reach. Balbriggan and Drogheda are easy targets for cyclists and I believe there is
an internet cafe in Drogheda, if you wish to catch up on your Email.
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Apimondia 2005, in Dublin, was organised by many of the same people that put the
Gormanston Summer School together, but although enjoyable in it's own right, it had only a
fraction of the impact and enjoyment that can be had from the Gormanston event. So if you
have been to an Apimondia conference, but have not yet sampled the delights of Gormanston, you can
expect a greater emphasis on meeting friends and attending lectures, however there is no
exhibition involved in the summer school, although supplies of beekeeping equipment can be
purchased on site.
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David Blackwood's article has also appeared in 'An Beachaire' (The Irish
Beekeeper) magazine and is re-printed here with his permission.
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Chris Slade is more able to walk than I and has visited Gormanston beach several
times... In 2006 he shared his stroll with Annette, who he has pictured here.
If you like walking there are many pleasant scenes in and around Gormanston. The
grounds of the college are extensive and the pace of life is slow and dignified.
There is a very tranquil place, it is a small private cemetery where the monks
from the Franciscan order are buried. I believe that it is possible to walk to this
cemetery using the yew walk or cloister shown further up the page. The photo below is due
to Richie Moran.
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There are two pubs at Gormanston, they are both situated at the cross roads which
is known as 'Gormanston cross' which is the term the bus drivers will recognise. The
picture above shows the frontage of the Cock Tavern and is the one that I normally frequent
when I am at Gormanston. The other pub is the 'Huntsman Inn' and is probably more used by
beekeepers as it is the nearest pub to the college.
Another shot from the camera of Richie Moran, shows three
In this picture, Chris Slade tries to indicate that we drink too much when at
the FIBKA Summer school, but although plenty of
There are not many pictures of myself among the Gormanston pages, even though I
am a 'larger than life' sort of chap. So I include here a photo of myself in full flight
during a workshop presentation at the 2006 summer school.
