Lunchtime Lectures – The Honey Bee in Ireland: biology, history and culture by Prof. John Breen

The Honey Bee in Ireland: biology, history and culture

John Breen is a retired Associate Professor of the University of Limerick. He is a zoologist whose research interests include the Irish social insects, mainly ants and bees. He has been a beekeeper since childhood. In this lecture he will explore the Honey Bee in Ireland. After a short introduction to Honey Bee biology, he will explore early beekeeping in Ireland, the importance of wax, honey and mead, its association with Irish saints and briefly mention the Brehon Laws. Since he is a member of the Silver Circle of the Hunt Museum, a few items of Irish silver with a bee connection will also get a mention.