diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index edb4a68d7b0..9daea3a6551 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@ supported platforms, from [downloads page](https://www.elastic.co/downloads/logs
 
 - [Logstash Forum](https://discuss.elastic.co/c/logstash)
 - [Logstash Documentation](https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/logstash/current/index.html)
-- [#logstash on freenode IRC](https://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=logstash)
 - [Logstash Product Information](https://www.elastic.co/products/logstash)
 - [Elastic Support](https://www.elastic.co/subscriptions)
 
diff --git a/lib/pluginmanager/templates/codec-plugin/README.md b/lib/pluginmanager/templates/codec-plugin/README.md
index 7a89c8aa33f..31ac2be8f22 100644
--- a/lib/pluginmanager/templates/codec-plugin/README.md
+++ b/lib/pluginmanager/templates/codec-plugin/README.md
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ Logstash provides infrastructure to automatically generate documentation for thi
 
 ## Need Help?
 
-Need help? Try #logstash on freenode IRC or the https://discuss.elastic.co/c/logstash discussion forum.
+Need help? Try the https://discuss.elastic.co/c/logstash discussion forum.
 
 ## Developing
 
diff --git a/lib/pluginmanager/templates/filter-plugin/README.md b/lib/pluginmanager/templates/filter-plugin/README.md
index fc39afc1dd3..9fd9be34da1 100644
--- a/lib/pluginmanager/templates/filter-plugin/README.md
+++ b/lib/pluginmanager/templates/filter-plugin/README.md
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ Logstash provides infrastructure to automatically generate documentation for thi
 
 ## Need Help?
 
-Need help? Try #logstash on freenode IRC or the https://discuss.elastic.co/c/logstash discussion forum.
+Need help? Try the https://discuss.elastic.co/c/logstash discussion forum.
 
 ## Developing
 
diff --git a/lib/pluginmanager/templates/input-plugin/README.md b/lib/pluginmanager/templates/input-plugin/README.md
index fc39afc1dd3..9fd9be34da1 100644
--- a/lib/pluginmanager/templates/input-plugin/README.md
+++ b/lib/pluginmanager/templates/input-plugin/README.md
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ Logstash provides infrastructure to automatically generate documentation for thi
 
 ## Need Help?
 
-Need help? Try #logstash on freenode IRC or the https://discuss.elastic.co/c/logstash discussion forum.
+Need help? Try the https://discuss.elastic.co/c/logstash discussion forum.
 
 ## Developing
 
diff --git a/lib/pluginmanager/templates/output-plugin/README.md b/lib/pluginmanager/templates/output-plugin/README.md
index fc39afc1dd3..9fd9be34da1 100644
--- a/lib/pluginmanager/templates/output-plugin/README.md
+++ b/lib/pluginmanager/templates/output-plugin/README.md
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ Logstash provides infrastructure to automatically generate documentation for thi
 
 ## Need Help?
 
-Need help? Try #logstash on freenode IRC or the https://discuss.elastic.co/c/logstash discussion forum.
+Need help? Try the https://discuss.elastic.co/c/logstash discussion forum.
 
 ## Developing
 
diff --git a/logstash-core/lib/logstash/config/mixin.rb b/logstash-core/lib/logstash/config/mixin.rb
index e981f7c4ba6..59cbcf66409 100644
--- a/logstash-core/lib/logstash/config/mixin.rb
+++ b/logstash-core/lib/logstash/config/mixin.rb
@@ -125,21 +125,20 @@ def config_init(params)
         extra.gsub!("%PLUGIN%", self.class.config_name)
         # Log to main logger in addition to deprecation logger, in the 9.x series
         # we will remove the main logger and only use the deprecation logger
-        self.logger.warn("You are using a deprecated config setting " +
-                         "#{name.inspect} set in #{self.class.config_name}. " +
-                         "Deprecated settings will continue to work, " +
-                         "but are scheduled for removal from logstash " +
-                         "in the future. #{extra} If you have any questions " +
-                         "about this, please visit the #logstash channel " +
-                         "on freenode irc.", :name => name, :plugin => self)
-        self.deprecation_logger.deprecated("You are using a deprecated config setting " +
-                                           "#{name.inspect} set in #{self.class.config_name}. " +
-                                           "Deprecated settings will continue to work, " +
-                                           "but are scheduled for removal from logstash " +
-                                           "in the future. #{extra} If you have any questions " +
-                                           "about this, please visit the #logstash channel " +
-                                           "on freenode irc.", {})
-
+        self.logger.warn("You are using a deprecated config setting " \
+                         "#{name.inspect} set in #{self.class.config_name}. " \
+                         "Deprecated settings will continue to work, " \
+                         "but are scheduled for removal from logstash " \
+                         "in the future. #{extra} If you have any questions " \
+                         "about this, please ask it on the " \
+                         "https://discuss.elastic.co/c/logstash discussion forum", :name => name, :plugin => self)
+        self.deprecation_logger.deprecated("You are using a deprecated config setting " \
+                                           "#{name.inspect} set in #{self.class.config_name}. " \
+                                           "Deprecated settings will continue to work, " \
+                                           "but are scheduled for removal from logstash " \
+                                           "in the future. #{extra} If you have any questions " \
+                                           "about this, please ask it on the " \
+                                           "https://discuss.elastic.co/c/logstash discussion forum", {})
       end
 
       if opts && opts[:obsolete]