Hugh Lynn believes beekeeping is one of the most relaxing pastimes

If you’re at a loose end this summer, searching for something to do or a place to take visitors, I highly recommend the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough, just a few miles outside Castlebar. This museum, dedicated to country life, offers a fascinating glimpse into how we Irish lived "in the olden days." I recently paid a visit and was once again impressed by its engaging exhibitions.

I’ve been to the museum a few times and always find the exhibits captivating. Previously, I explored the "Preserving the Peace" exhibition, which delved into the history of policing in Ireland over the past 200 years, and another that highlighted the transformative impact of rural electrification. This time, I visited the "Murmur of Bees" exhibition, which focused on the critical role of bees and their historical significance in Ireland.

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned my beekeeping hobby in this column before, but it’s something I’ve been doing for a few years now. I got into it about four years ago. When I say "got into it," I mean I bought a hive and some bees and jumped right into the world of beekeeping. I suppose you could call me a bee farmer.

Beekeeping is, without a doubt, one of the most relaxing pastimes I’ve ever experienced. There’s something incredibly soothing about the gentle hum of bees and their numbers, which seems to melt away the stresses of everyday life. It’s no surprise that Yeats wrote, “Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee, And live alone in the bee-loud glade. And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow.” Even in Yeats' time, the presence of bees was associated with tranquillity, though their sting, of course, tells a different tale.

So, what inspired me to start beekeeping? About 16 or 17 years ago, Roscommon VEC offered a course at the Vocational School in Lisnamult in collaboration with the Suck Valley Beekeepers. I attended the course, learned the basics of beekeeping, built a hive and a super, and prepared myself. However, it wasn’t until about 12 years later that I took the plunge.

Currently, I have four hives. Unfortunately, this year doesn’t seem to be a bumper one for my honey production. One hive appears to be thriving, but the others are less productive. I plan to leave whatever honey they’ve produced for their use over the winter, hoping to have four strong hives ready for 2025.

In recent years, there has been much discussion about the importance of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Their crucial role in our ecosystem is well-documented, and I decided to give beekeeping a try. As I’ve delved deeper into the world of bees, I’ve learned more about their historical significance in Irish life over the past two to three thousand years.

Did you know there’s a patron saint of bees and beekeepers? St. Gobnait of Ballyvourney, County Cork, is celebrated in Irish folklore for her interactions with bees. One tale recounts how an invading chief and his army planned to plunder Ballyvourney. Gobnait, wielding a beehive, prayed for assistance and released the bees. The bees stung the marauders so severely that they fled, and Gobnait’s hive returned to making honey. Interestingly, the name Gobnait is believed to derive from the Hebrew ‘Deborah,’ which means ‘honey-bee.’

In Irish, the word for honey is "meala," and "Mi na meala," or "the month of honey," refers to the period following a wedding. Newlyweds traditionally celebrate with mead, a fermented honey brew, and are given enough to last for a month, along with special goblets. This tradition, where the term "honeymoon" originates, is thought to ensure a good start to the marriage and enhance fertility and virility.

The great thing about bees is the amount of good they do. They’re the most important pollinator of crops and native plant species in Ireland. They are a key component of our wildlife and one of the busiest, least appreciated workforces we have. Additionally, they give us the sweetest, most natural food that exists, and they charge us nothing for it—bar maybe an odd sting!

Bees also have a rich cultural and historical significance. In ancient Irish society, honey was more than just a sweet treat; it was a symbol of abundance and prosperity. Mead, made from fermented honey, was a popular beverage in medieval Ireland, enjoyed during feasts and celebrations. It was believed to have healing properties and was often used in rituals and ceremonies.

So, the next time you find yourself with some free time, consider a trip to the National Museum of Ireland in Turlough. You’ll discover more than just the history of country life—you’ll uncover the stories of the bees that have been an essential part of our world for centuries. And who knows? You might just be inspired to become a bee farmer yourself.

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