“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.

A collaborative work with contribution from expert beekeepers and scientists throughout Ireland. It contains everything you need to know about the Native Irish Honey Bee – from evolution to genetics and into the future with conservation, and ‘how to’ sections from commercial beekeepers. Includes a practical section with step by step instructions on queen rearing and bee-breeding techniques.

Most beekeeping books are written by beekeepers about beekeeping and for beekeepers. This is a book by beekeepers about a bee and for the sake of a bee – Ireland’s Native Honey Bee.