How It All Started
It started with a question from Bee Girl: “Mum, can we get bees?”
Like most parents, the sensible answer would have been “maybe one day.” Instead, we signed up for the Introduction to Bees course at the Randalstown & District Beekeepers Association (R&BKA), and before we knew it, we were hooked.
The Course That Changed Everything
The R&BKA Introduction to Bees course opened our eyes to the incredible world of honeybees. We learned about colony structure, how bees communicate, what a healthy hive looks like, and — most importantly — that beekeeping is something anyone can learn with the right guidance and community.
We went in curious. We came out obsessed.
Our First Colony
We now have one colony of honeybees, and we’re learning something new every single time we open the hive. Some inspections go smoothly. Some involve a lot of running. All of them are memorable.
This blog is our honest, unfiltered diary of the whole experience. We’re not experts — we’re beginners, and we think that’s exactly what makes this worth sharing. Every experienced beekeeper started where we are right now.
Who We Are
Mum
A complete beginner who jumped in with both feet (and occasionally forgets to zip up her bee suit properly). Handles the blog writing, the heavy lifting, and the worrying.
Bee Girl (age 11)
The real star of Bee Happy Honey. Braver with the bees than Mum will ever be. Bee Girl writes her own posts for “Bee Girl’s Corner,” draws the illustrations, and keeps the whole operation fun. She’s chosen to go by her alias for now — her real identity is her story to share when she’s ready.
The Bees
Roughly 50,000 honeybees who are very much in charge of this operation. We just try to keep up.
Why “Bee Happy Honey”?
Because that’s what this is all about. Being happy. Bees making us happy. Honey making everyone happy. A mum and her daughter finding joy in something unexpected and sharing it with the world.
Our blog section is called “Hive & Seek” — because beekeeping is one big treasure hunt. You’re always seeking the queen, seeking signs of healthy brood, seeking that first taste of your own honey. And because a mum and her daughter having adventures together felt a lot like the best game we’ve ever played.
Our Goals
- Document our entire beekeeping journey honestly
- Help other beginners feel confident starting out
- Show that beekeeping is a brilliant activity for families
- Eventually harvest our own honey
- Build a community of beginner beekeepers
- Prove that one hive is enough to start
Find Us
We’re based in Northern Ireland and proud members of the Randalstown & District Beekeepers Association.
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Bee Happy Honey is a personal beekeeping blog. We are beginners sharing our experience — not qualified beekeeping instructors. Always seek advice from your local beekeeping association for guidance specific to your situation.