Beekeeping has been a part of monastic life in Ireland and Scotland for centuries, with historical records showing that beekeeping was widespread among monasteries in both countries. In Ireland, beekeeping was an important aspect of the monastic tradition, with many monasteries having hives and using the honey for food, medicine, and trade. Similarly, in Scotland, beekeeping was a common practice among the monastic communities, who kept hives for both their own use and to provide honey to the local communities.
One of the earliest records of monastic beekeeping in Ireland can be traced back to the 6th century, when Saint Brigid, the patron saint of Ireland, is said to have kept bees at her monastery in Kildare. According to legend, Saint Brigid had a special relationship with bees and was able to control them with her prayers, which helped her to provide honey for the sick and the poor.
Illustration of a verse of the Exultet - Sung at Easter
In the Middle Ages, monastic beekeeping in Ireland and Scotland continued to flourish, with many monasteries keeping hives to provide honey for their own use and for trade. In Ireland, the Cistercian monasteries were particularly well known for their beekeeping, with records showing that the monks at these monasteries kept large numbers of hives and were experts in the art of beekeeping. In Scotland, the Benedictine monasteries were also involved in beekeeping, with the famous Scottish abbey at Iona being one of the largest producers of honey in Scotland during the Middle Ages.
One of the most famous examples of monastic beekeeping in Ireland and Scotland was the tradition of the “bee girdle”. According to legend, the bee girdle was a rope worn around the waist by the beekeeper, which was believed to provide protection against bee stings. The bee girdle was said to have been introduced by Saint Brigid, who wore it when she tended her hives, and it became a common practice among monastic beekeepers in both Ireland and Scotland.
As the centuries passed, the tradition of monastic beekeeping in Ireland and Scotland continued to evolve, with many monasteries incorporating new techniques and methods to improve their beekeeping practices. By the 19th century, the tradition of monastic beekeeping had declined in both countries, with many monasteries closing due to the Reformation and the increasing secularization of society.
Despite this decline, the tradition of monastic beekeeping has not been completely lost, and today, there are still a few monasteries in both Ireland and Scotland that continue to keep hives and produce honey. In Ireland, the Glenstal Abbey in Limerick is one of the few remaining monasteries that keep bees, while in Scotland, the monastic community at Iona continues to produce honey using traditional beekeeping methods.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in monastic beekeeping, with many communities and organizations working to revive the tradition and to promote the importance of beekeeping for the environment and for sustainable agriculture. In Ireland, the Irish Beekeepers Association has been working to promote beekeeping, and to encourage the development of new apiaries. In Scotland, the Scottish Beekeepers Association has been similarly involved in promoting beekeeping, and has been working to preserve the tradition of monastic beekeeping.
In conclusion, monastic beekeeping has a rich history in Ireland and Scotland, with records dating back to the 6th century showing that beekeeping was widespread among the monastic communities in both countries. Despite the decline of monastic beekeeping in recent centuries, the tradition has not been completely lost, and today, there are still a few monasteries in Ireland and Scotland that continue
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We love bees 🐝 everything we plant is selected to attract them and create a vibrant garden full of life and biodiversity.
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