Background:
Each year The Ulster Beekeepers’ Association holds a Beekeepers’ Harvest Thanksgiving Service.  It is the only
such service held in Britain or Ireland and is supported by beekeepers and others from all over the province and beyond.

It is a service open to all denominations, taking place in a different church each year and is hosted again this year by Randalstown & District Beekeepers’ Association.

About the Service: The Very Reverend Dr. W. Donald Patton will conduct the Service and preach the sermon. 

About the Church: Old Congregation Randalstown was formed in the 1830. The present building built in 1790 on a site granted by the only daughter of Sir Henry O’Neill of Shane’s Castle is elliptical and is one of the unusual buildings of the Presbyterian Church.  The Church adopted the name “Old Congregation” and from 1840 operated within Ballymena Presbytery.

The Randalstown & District Beekeepers’ Association will provide refreshments for everyone after the Service.

Directions: Coming from A6 from Antrim/International Airport/M22 - follow signs for Randalstown. When in centre of Randalstown, go straight over roundabout in the main street, following signs for B52, Portglenone Road. The Church is on the left hand side. Coming from Cookstown, Castledawson direction. Turn off for Randalstown just at the beginning of the M22. Drive into centre of Randalstown, at small roundabout and take first left onto Portglenone Road. The Church is on the left hand side. There is a small car park opposite the church.

Additional information: The Ulster Beekeepers’ Association is the parent body to which the nine local Beekeeping Associations in Northern Ireland are affiliated.  They are: Roe Valley, Mid Antrim, East Antrim, Randalstown, Belfast, Killinchy, Dromore, Fermanagh & Mid Ulster. Beekeepers’ Harvest Services have been held in Magheralin, Clandeboye Estate Church, Dromore, Farnaught (Co. Leitrim), St Patrick’s Cathedral (Dublin), Monea and St. Patrick’s (Ballymena) and Killinchy Parish Church.

06/14/2010