Native Irish Black Honey Bees
Why Native Honey Bees Matter
Often called “Black Bees” because of their appearance (though their colouring can vary), the Native Irish Honey Bee has many traits that make it ideally suited to Ireland:
- Naturally adapted to the Irish climate
- Can be very docile with low swarming tendencies
- Excellent for Irish honey production
- Careful with their food stores during bad weather
- Able to fly at lower temperatures
- Good honey producers even in poor conditions
- Genetically diverse populations still present in Ireland
Research and Identification
DNA research carried out by Jack Hassett at Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT), in conjunction with the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), confirmed that Ireland holds one of the largest populations of these honey bees in the world. Galtee Honey Farm was involved in this research from the outset, and the very first samples tested came from our bees.
We also took part in a European-wide genetic testing project (BABE) led by Bo Vest Pederson at the University of Copenhagen in 2000. This project identified our bees as ecotypes of Apis mellifera mellifera, given the names ‘Galtee’ and ‘Glengarra’. It also revealed that our bees were almost genetically identical to the Tasmanian Black Bee — widely regarded as the purest strain of the Dark European Honey Bee in the world.
DNA testing from both projects showed that our bees are between 95% and 100% Apis mellifera mellifera, the native honey bee. For many years, some beekeepers mistakenly believed that this bee had become extinct.
Supporting Conservation
We are proud to have been involved in the formation of the Native Irish Honey Bee Society (NIHBS) and continue to support it. As patrons of NIHBS, we have contributed to its Research Fund, which helps finance vital studies on the Native Irish Honey Bee.
NIHBS was founded in 2012 by beekeepers from across Ireland, both North and South, to support the conservation of Apis mellifera mellifera. It is a cross-border organisation open to all, with members and representatives from every corner of the island.
The Society’s main aim is to promote the conservation, study, improvement, and reintroduction of the Native Irish Honey Bee across the island of Ireland.
For more information, visit www.nihbs.org.
Recognitions & Membership
