Derry and District Beekeepers elect new committee for 20206

The Derry and District Beekeepers Association has held its 2025 Annual General Meeting.

The meeting, which took place on Tuesday, November 18, elected its new committee to take the organisation into the next year, with a focus on development, education and awareness of the threat from the Asian Hornet to Irish honeybees.

A spokesperson for the Associaltion said: "The packed meeting, held upstairs in Tinney’s, heard about the success of this year’s training course in conjunction with North West Regional College and planning for the 2026 course, as the group continues to grow. 

"A report of the year's activities included a hugely successful Open Day and an oversubscribed education offering.

"Discussion also took place on the recent threat from the Asian hornet that was found in Ireland for the first time this year, and what members can do going forward to protect native honeybees.

"At the meeting, Tony Doherty was elected as the incoming Chairperson, flanked by Sharon Durkan as Vice Chair, Grainne McCafferty as returning Secretary and Peter Malarkey as Treasurer, with other members elected to oversee Education, Social Media and Apiary operations," said the spokesperson.

Following his election as chairperson, Mr Doherty said: "I am delighted and indeed honoured to be elected as Chair of the Association. The entire committee is hugely indebted to the work and dedication of both Mickie Harkin and Barney O’Hagan, chair and vice chair, who have stood down after several years of effective leadership and project development.

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"We have a lot going for us in terms of the growth of public interest in bees and beekeeping, something that has been clearly demonstrated by the attendance at the Beekeeping course, developed and delivered in collaboration with the North West Regional College. 

"This interest has transformed into active interest in beekeeping in the northwest and increased the number of trainee beekeepers like myself. I’m looking forward to working with the committee and the wider association of members in consolidating our successes.

"Of course, as a matter of deep concern to beekeepers throughout the island, the Asian Hornet has come to our shores which, if unchecked, could have a devastating effect of the Black Irish Bee and other pollinators.”

The 2026 Preliminary Beekeeping course run by the Association in conjunction with NWRC is currently open for applications on NWRC.ac.uk and is scheduled to begin on 5th March and lasts 6 weeks in the Springtown Campus.