Many who attended the opening formalities were impressed by the ecumenical blessing delivered jointly by Rev’d Christine O’Dowd and Fr Richard O’Halloran PP.
‘Almighty God,
You hold all creation in the palm of your hands; You possess the heavens, the earth and all that is them.
You compassionately grant unto all created things that which is beneficial for them.
Therefore today we ask:
As in ancient times You granted the Israelites a land flowing with milk and honey, and as you were well-pleased to nourish John the Baptist in the wilderness with wild honey, so now by Your good pleasure and caring for our sustenance, bless the beehives in this apiary.
Greatly increase the number of bees in them, preserve them by Your grace, and fill us rich with honey. Let none of these beehives which You have fashioned be deprived of bees, but let them always be filled with honeycombs of honey.
And according to Your great benefits and invincible might, let them be kept free from all danger. Rather, fenced round about by Your all-powerful might, let them always remain unharmed and do what you created them for.
Through Christ Our Lord.
Amen
.’