1999 AGM Cuskinny Gardens	GBBG VISIT TO LISMORE CASTLE AND GARDENS

VISIT TO LISMORE CASTLE AND GARDENS

BY CLAIRE CHAVASSE

In Co Waterford we were watching the weather with some anxiety the week before Sunday 23rd May hoping against hope that the visit of the Galtee Bee Breeders Association and the Co Waterford Beekeepers Association to Lismore Castle would be able to take place. After a cloudy start to the day the afternoon was perfect. Georgie and Michael Penruddock kindly invited us. Georgie, a former Honey Queen is a keen beekeeper, Michael, a reluctant one, but with a fondness for the end product.

		We gathered in the castle courtyard and the afternoon began with Michael giving us a quick history of the castle. He showed us how by looking, at the changing patterns of stonework we could see for ourselves, the different periods of building and how the roof lines had changed over the centuries. The present owner is the Duke of Devonshire, the estate coming into the family through a former Duke's heir marrying the eldest daughter of the Earl of Cork, an ancestor of whom had purchased the estate from Sir Walter Raleigh.

Then it was time to look at the gardens, which are really lovely in late May. Still a few Camellias in flower, Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Drimys and the herbaceous borders just beginning to come into their glory. I particularly noticed some lovely white Abutilons, which the bees were working enthusiastically. The Cotoneaster on a wall was just starting to flower and the bees were prising the flowers open to get at the nectar. The gardens are laid out at different levels, which gave us wonderful views including the cathedral spire rising from the trees. Magnificent mature trees surround the gardens. Georgie's bees live in the nearest thing to a bee paradise, between the early flowering shrubs and the trees. As it was a Sunday we did not meet any of the gardeners who maintain the garden in such a meticulous manner, involving planning, an eye for detail and a lot of hard work. We finished our tour of the gardens standing under the Pennruddocks' part of the castle. Looking up we could see the bees from a feral colony tucked into one of the narrow openings of the castle tower. This is Georgie's personal observation hive. The bees flight path is past one of her windows and throughout the year she knows when the bees are flying. When Varroa comes to this area it will be interesting to see how this colony fares.

We returned to the courtyard hot and thirsty, where a very welcome cup of tea and delicious cakes were waiting for us. This of course is a vital part of any beekeepers gathering. Beekeepers resemble their charges in many ways, they cluster, and exchange news and a form of trophallaxis takes place as the plates of food are handed around.

Following tea Michael took groups of 25 into the castle to show them around. For those of us who have looked up at the windows of the castle from the other side of the river Blackwater wondering what it was like inside, it was marvelous to have the opportunity to look out of those same windows at the magnificent views up and down the river towards the Knockmealdown mountains in the distance. We could also imagine what it would be like to live in such magnificent surroundings.

Sixty-five beekeepers, including members of their families gathered in Lismore that day. They came from the counties of Wexford, Cork, Waterford, Tipperary, Kilkenny and Wicklow. It was a wonderful visit for us all and before we broke up Micheál Mac Giolla Coda proposed a vote of thanks to Georgie and Michael for their hospitality. He presented Georgie with an Apidea box and Michael with a book on Bee husbandry.

The first version of this page was accompanied by a photograph of Lismore Castle, courtesy of Mrs. Michael Penruddock. This version of the page, that was generated in November 2003 has more pictures incorporated, that are of larger size, these pictures have been produced from original material that was kindly loaned by Michael Penruddock of Lismore Estate.

Original text Claire Chavasse 1999, Revised... 11 November 2003, Revised... 17 November 2003, Upgraded... 17 June 2005,