Cessation of An Beachaire – The Irish Beekeeper Magazine

It is with sadness that I share the news that FIBKA (the Federation of Irish Beekeeper’s Associations) have taken the decision to discontinue the publication of an Beachaire – The Irish Beekeeper Magazine. It will be a great loss to beekeepers around the country, especially beginners and our large cohort of elderly beekeepers. As a beginner, I waited eagerly for each new copy of an Beachaire, and always found the monthly to-do-lists in the beginner’s section incredibly useful. Having my stack of magazines at hand, I felt a little more confident, knowing that I could easily find answers to many of my rookie questions within its pages.

I still remember returning from the Maternity Hospital with my new-born son, and there was a new copy of an Beachaire waiting for me. It took a few days to settle into life with a new baby and then, first chance I got, I filled up the bathtub, put the new daddy in charge of the baby and locked myself in the bathroom with my November-16 copy on An Beachaire. Pure bliss!

Personally, I have been writing for an Beachaire as a regular contributor since 2018 when Fr James Mc Sweeney asked me to take over his monthly column the Beginner’s Corner, and it has been instrumental in developing my own writing and starting my blog. After nearly two years, long time editor of the Magazine, the very excellent (and patient) Mary Montaut, asked me to take on the helm of the Improver’s Corner, and then more recently I have been writing practical articles on various bee related topics. I have enjoyed writing immensely, and I hope that I have been able to help, support and educate new beekeepers for the past few years. Of course, I was thrilled when the editors of American Bee Culture and BBKA News (British Beekeeper’s Association Magazine) requested permission to publish some of my articles written for an Beachaire!

Thoughts for the future

I wish FIBKA all the best in the next chapter, and I hope whatever route they take will be one that continues to serve the entire membership as well as an Beachaire has since its inception. However, I fear that it may take some time and encounter difficulties, especially in relation to disseminating information to beginners and older beekeepers as well as many others. It is my understanding that FIBKA are hoping to expand their website to include beekeeping blogs and more up-to-date information. I am sure in due course when the member associations have had their say and the work has been done that we will all settle into new ways of getting the information we need and want. Sadly though, it looks like it will be without an Beachaire. In the meantime, I know many associations have their own practical newsletters especially targeted for beginners. There are also a number of Facebook groups, both national and local, that can be good sources of information and inspiration for beekeepers of all ranks.

As for me, I’ll keep on writing! I have a few very exciting writing projects up my sleeve, but until I am ready to reveal these, You will find my writing on my Blog. I think that what is needed now, perhaps more than ever, are more voices in Irish Beekeeping, on Irish Beekeeping. What we do here in Ireland is vastly different from the beekeeping practices on the other side of the world, even sometimes our closest neighbours. I am cognisant that in all available English literature of beekeeping, only a small portion of it refer to the practises and conditions here in Ireland. Over the next few months, I will endeavour to re-publish some more of my previous work written for An Beachaire on my blog. If there are any topics that You would like me to cover in future blog posts, please let me know and I will do my best to oblige.

As always, Happy Beekeeping! /Hanna

P.S. I’ll see you over at my blog. For updates and new blogs follow my Facebook page or my Instagram.