On Sunday 28th January Three Rivers Beekeeping Association held their annual honey show and there was most certainly a buzz about Castlefinn.
With 203 show entries and over 300 visitors from as far as Co. Meath it was the place to bee!
There was a great array of different honeys on display, which surprised many and created plenty of discussion. Visitors were able to satisfy their curiosity by buying local honey from some of our TRBKA members at the extremely popular sales table.
The cake, confectonery, photography and artistry classes proved particularly popular with the non-beekeepers, as did the childrens poster competition promoted by Honey show Manager, Paul Stewart. Paul worked with the primary school on both sides of the border promoting the importance of pollinators, resulting in an unprecedented 80 posters. Posters were judged by local Art Teachers and the top 10 officially entered the show on the day. excited winners were presented with special prizes for their school.
Judges commented on the high quality of entries across all classes saying it was obvious much work had gone into the exhibits. they acknowledged the exhibits would do well on any show bench across the country.
This years show benefitied from the support of local crafers and varies displays of bee themed wares. As one would expect the mead stall proved exceptionally popular with samples going down a treat.
There was something for everyone with those new to beekeeping hearing a very informative talk by Frank Chaney. Experienced beekeepers joined an 'Ask the Experts Panel' chaired by John Hill.
A special thanks to all who sponsored the raffle prizes and congratulations to the winner of the hive.
It was agreed the show had been a great success and paved way for the Association in its 10th Anniversary Year. Chair, Alan Beattie, extended his congratulations to all involved in the honey show and commented on their hard work
Honey Show Results 2024
Class 1 - 6 Jars of honey, any type or colour, matching as offered for sale.
Colin Maguire
Mark Wallace
Marcus O'Neill
Class 2 - 6 Jars of honey, any type or colour, matching.
Mark Wallace
Tom Williamson
Lexie Duncan
Class 3 - 3 Jars of honey, each a different type, any combination.
Mark Wallace
Kathleen Devine
Des Devine
Class 4 - 2 Jars of honey, light.
Tom Williamson
Mark Wallace
Frank Chaney
Class 5 - 2 Jars of honey medium
Colin Maguire
Mark Wallace
Frank Chaney
Class 6 - 2 Jars of honey
dark
Tom Williamson
Richard Thompson
Des Devine
Class 7 - 2 Jars of ling heather honey
Frank Chaney
Mark Wallace
Kathleen Devine
Class 8 - 2 Jars of chunk honey
Mark Wallace
Richard Thompson
Colin Maguire
Class 9 - 2 Jars of naturally granulated honey
Wendy Johnston
Tom Williamson
Class 10 - 2 Jars of soft set honey
Lexie Duncan
Tom Williamson
Des Devine
Class 11 - 1 Jar of honey for tasting
Adam Crockett
Colin Maguire
Tom Williamson
Class 12 - Novice, 1 jar of honey, any type or colour
Iain Laing
Emma Robinson
Class 13 Novice, 1 Section of honey
Ken Kerr
Class 15 Novice, 1 Jar of honey for tasting
Iain Laing
Class 16 - 2 Sections of honey
Colin Maguire
Ken Kerr
Class 17 - 2 Containers of cut comb
Richard Thompson
Barney Coyle
Wendy Johnston
Class 18 - 1 Frame of honey for extraction
Mark Wallace
Des Devine
Richard Thompson
Class 19 - 1 Frame of ling honey
Wendy Johnston
Barney Coyle
Mark Wallace
Class 20 - 1 Plain cake of beeswax
Mark Wallace
Colin Maguire
Wendy Johnston
Class 21 - 6 Plain beeswax blocks
Colin Maguire
Class 22 - 3 Plain beeswax candles, made by moulding
Kevin barron
Colin Maguire
Class 23 - 3 Decorative beeswax candles, patterned, made by moulding
Colin Maguire
Wendy Johnston
Class 24 - A Creative display
Wendy Johnston
Tom Williamson
Class 25 - 1 honey fruit cake
Kathleen Devine
Des Devine
Joanne Quigley
Class 26 - 1 Honey cake, decorated in a bee theme
Stephanie Maguire
Des Devine
Jackie Beattie
Class 27 - 6 Small biscuits or cookies
Des Devine
Olivia Brown
Kathleen Devine
Class 28 - 6 Small piece of toffee, caramel, fudge, chocolates or sweets
Kerry - Anne Maguire
Wendy Johnston
Adam Crockett
Class 29 - 1 Jar of Honey Marmalade
Olivia Brown
Des Devine
Class 30 - 1 Bottle of Dry Mead
Noel Pearson
Class 31 - 1 Bottle of Sweet Mead
Colin Maguire
Noel Pearson
Wendy Johnston
Class 32 - 1 Bottle of Melomel
Olivia Brown
Class 33 - 1 Bottle of Metheglin
Olivia Brown
Class 34 - Photography
Wendy Johnston
Evelyn McLaughlin
Des Devine
Class 35 - Artistry
Olivia Brown
Wendy Johnston
Julie Donnell
Class 36 - A Vase of cut flowers
Des Devine
Kathleen Devine
Wendy Johnston
Class 37 - A Practical, original invention
Olivia Brown
Lexie Duncan
Des Devine
Class 38 Poster Competition for Children
Isabella Galbraith
Ruby Kee Galbraith
Sean john Griffin
Best Show Exhibit
Frank
Chaney
Most Show points
Des Devine
Best Honey Fruit Cake
Kathleen Devine
Best Beeswax Exhibit
Mark Wallace
Directions
Directions to the Honey Show
By Car
Address: CPI Centre, Knockrawer, Castlefinn, Co. Donegal F93 T254
Free parking available on site
By Bus
Details of bus timetables can be found at https://www.transportforireland.ie/