Beekeeping

Here at Carton House, Fairmont we are home to a colony of bees, every colony is a highly complex community made up of around 50,000 bees, each with a specific role to ensure the survival of the colony as a whole. Bees play an essential role in all ecosystems, pollinating the majority of flowering plants. In turn, they serve all other animals, accounting for around one-third of human food-producing crops.

The honey they produce boosts our immune system, provides protection from pollen allergies and has wound-healing benefits through its antibacterial properties. It is also a delicious and natural source of sugar which our bodies find easier to process. The bees produce honey to feed on and, more specifically, to store to ensure their survival through winter.

Ever wondered what it’s like to be a beekeeper or curious about how a colony works? Perhaps you’re thinking about having your own beehive but not sure? Join us for approximately 90 minutes on our beekeeping experience to see what it’s like to be a beekeeper. Join our beekeeper, Thomas Clancy with our beekeeping experience.

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Our Beekeeper

Thomas Clancy was born in Glenfarne Co. Leitrim, married to Bridie, with four children and 9 grandchildren.

Educated in Saint Joseph’s Manorhamilton and the National College of Ireland, I worked all his working life with Dublin Bus, first as a driver and quickly graduated to the Training and Development School there. While in Dublin Bus he lectured for many years in Leadership and Personnel Management on a part time basis at my Alma Mater. Over several years he had articles and short stories published and I’m currently working on the completion of a book on his primary school experience.

In 2006, while thinking of something for his retirement he started studying Apiculture, the study and craft of beekeeping.

Having undertaken beekeeping courses at different levels he opened his first Apiary at Barnhall, Leixlip in 2007.

In 2018 he approached Carton House, Fairmont seeking a site for a private apiary.

Carton House honey is of the highest quality because of the organic plants and foliage from which the bees forage. The non-use of pesticides and insecticides means bee health is not compromised and the honey product is of pristine quality. Carton House honey is a light golden shade and as it is Raw (not processed) it contains 100% of the natural oils and enzymes. One cannot get a better food product than Raw Honey, it and Dates are collectively known as God’s Food.