Telling the bees: Why this ancient mourning tradition has endured

Beekeeper’s daughter and student of folklore Eimear Chaomhánach shares memories of growing up in a beekeeping household, collecting swarms with her father and learning how to harvest honey, while looking at the beliefs, traditions and folklore around bees and beekeeping

Beekeeper’s daughter and student of folklore Eimear Chaomhánach shares memories of growing up in a beekeeping household, collecting swarms with her father and learning how to harvest honey, while looking at the beliefs, traditions and folklore around bees and beekeeping.

Telling the bees is a popular tradition across the four provinces of Ireland.

An account recorded in Antrim in 1954 — one of my personal favourites — describes a man by the name of Jimmy Bann, who was known for having a special connection with his bees.