Bee boles

Set of bee boles in Cregganna, Oranmore.

Christy Cunniffe

Bee Bole
Christy Cunniffe

Bee boles are a feature of many walled gardens. They consist of niches set into an orchard or garden wall for the purpose of protecting straw bee skeps from the ravages of inclement weather. They can vary in shape. These examples in the townland of Cregganna, Ornamore have an angular top. Most are rectangular, though some have round heads also. The bees pollinate the fruit trees in the orchard, the landowner benefits from honey and fruit, while the bee is looked after in this symbiotic relationship.

These examples are recorded as archaeological monuments on the Record of Monuments and Places as GA095-021002.

They are also recorded on the IBRA Bee Bole Register: No 1168a.

This page was added on 07/10/2016.

No Comments

Start the ball rolling by posting a comment on this page!

Add a comment about this page

Your email address will not be published.