Irish Patron Saint of Bees celebrated at Mayo museum

St Brigid, celebrated on February 1 each year, is certainly one of our best-known saints. However, another medieval Abbess, who was widely venerated in Ireland in times gone by, is also celebrated at this time of the year.

St Gobnait is Ireland’s Patron Saint of Bees and her feast day falls on Tuesday next, February 11. The sixth-century beekeeper features strongly in an ongoing exhibition called 'The Murmur of Bees' at the National Museum of Ireland in Turlough Park, Castlebar.

The National Museum is inviting people to celebrate St Gobnait this February through the exhibition.

It is an ideal time to visit as this is also the last chance to see a beautiful and thought-provoking artwork called ‘Bee Dress’ (1994), by Alice Maher.

‘Bee Dress’ has been on temporary display for the last number of months in association with The Murmur of Bees exhibition, but it returns to its home at the National Museums Northern Ireland towards the end of the month.

Alice Maher is a leading contemporary Irish artist and ‘Bee Dress’ is one of her most iconic works.

Alice Maher's 'Bee Dress' will only be on display until the end of this month

The small dress is constructed from honeybees, wax, cotton and wire. It reflects on themes associated with feminism, mythology and childhood.

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While ‘Bee Dress’ is coming to a close this February, The Murmur of Bees exhibition continues throughout the remainder of 2025. New artworks and objects will be exhibited as part of an ongoing programme for the exhibition.

Other highlights include a selection of entomology specimens from the Natural History Collections exploring over 100 different bee species found in Ireland; folklife objects looking at bees and beekeeping in our folk history and practices; and objects and stories reflecting on the veneration of St Gobnait in Ireland through the years.

Admission to the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park is free. No booking is required. Visit www.museum.ie for further details.