World Bee Day is on May 20 — here's why it's important

We have a Native Irish Honey Bee which is under threat... find out here how to help it survive

Native Irish Honey bee on Ragwort. Picture: Flickr/Conall McCaughey

The first World Bee Day day was proposed by Slovenia to the United Nations, to celebrate bees and their importance. Coincidently, this was the birthday of Anton Janša, (1734–1773), a pioneer of modern beekeeping.

In Ireland, the Native Irish Honey Bee Society (NIHBS) was formed in 2012 following campaigning conservation efforts begun in the 90s by committed beekeepers in Munster's Galtee Valley. NIHBS now has more than 900 members committed to the conservation of Ireland's Native Honey Bee.