Native Irish Honey Bee Society
Available to Purchase Below
“The Native Irish Honey Bee, Apis mellifera mellifera” focuses exclusively on the native Irish honey bee, featuring narratives on its evolution, genetics, history and conservation, with practical “How-to” sections on bee improvement, plus real-life stories from commercial beekeepers. Its aims are to increase awareness of and appreciation for the precious resources imbued in the native black honey bee, to encourage beekeepers to choose native Irish honey bees and to discourage the buying and importation of non-native honey bees.
Latest NIHBS News
Raffle Winners Book Launch
James McCreight – book Pat O’Halloran – book Deirdre Potter – book Noel O’Dea – membership William Gilmore – membership Colin Harris – membership Sinead …
Introduction to the book launch by Micheal Mac Giolla Coda
Introduction to BOOK LAUNCH – 18/09/1921 Micheál Mac Giolla Coda Bail o Dhia oraibh a bheachairí agus a cháirde go léir. Ar son Cumann Bheach …
Saving The Native Irish Honey Bee, One Bee And One Chapter At A Time
PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 31st August 2021 The Native Irish Honey Bee Society (NIHBS) is proud to announce the launch of its book, The …
NIHBS Queen Rearing Group Scheme (QRGS) report
Over recent years the number of imported honey bees into Ireland has been increasing significantly. Background to the Queen Rearing Group Scheme. The importation of …
Connemara ‘Hybrid Bee’ alert
Connemara could once be described as the “jewel in the crown” for the most authentic population of Apis mellifera mellifera…….
Native Honey Bee Alive and Buzzing
“Do you know that we have our own native honey bee here in Ireland? There was once the popularised misconception in the early to mid …
About NIHBS
The Native Irish Honey Bee Society was established to promote the conservation of Apis mellifera mellifera throughout the island of Ireland. The Society strives to raise public awareness of our native honey bee and its importance, and acts in an advisory capacity to groups and individuals wishing to promote and preserve it.
What Our Native Honey Bee Looks Like
Apis mellifera mellifera (aka European dark bee) can be distinguished from other subspecies by its stocky body, overall dark coloration, plus abundant thoracic and sparse abdominal hair, which is brown. There can be heavy dark pigmentation of the wings. Overall, when viewed from a distance, these bees should appear blackish or rich dark brown.
Bee Improvement
As part of our conservation mission, NIHBS advocates that Irish beekeepers buy native bees. To that end, NIHBS is affiliated with multiple bee breeding groups located around the country. Find out more about them by clicking the button below.
