Beehive Designs In Ireland

Currently I am working on my final year project in which I am looking at different types beehives and their designs. From my investigation I have found out that the main hive used here in Ireland is the national hive.I found out it is very important to have the correct spacing within the hive so as the bees produce honey and not comb.

The aim of this project was to look at different types of hives that are used and to design and make a hive using native Irish wood species.I decided on using ceader as it is one of the better timbers for outdoor use.

National Hive is the most common hive used here in Ireland. It consists of a Floor,Brood,Super and Roof. Bees that are introduced to this hive take to it very easy. Since it is the most popular hive here in Ireland it is easy to get replacement parts.This hive is very basic and square in shape.

Congested District Board Hive(CDB) this hive was designed for rain and wind that is got in the west of Ireland. Its stepped sides allows for the hive to be more resistant to water than the national. It also consists of a double wall which means that the cost of it is more than the national. This hive is not used as much today.

To come up with my final design i decided to combine the old CDB hive which was designed for the bad weather of the west coast of Ireland and the more popular national hive.The national design is very square with no shape compared to the old CDB design.The CDB hive had stepped out sides which made it more appealing to look at. So i designed a hive around the size of the national frame size so as it could be used in my hive. to create the stepped effect on the side I tapered the sides. at present i have completed the first mock-up and am now working on the final hive.

The first Mock-up i have completed

National hive.

Photo (pergolawoodplans)

CDB Congested District Board Hive

Photo (beehivejournal)