St Gobnait – who, legend has it, once lived on Inis Oírr (Inisheer) – is the patron saint of bees and beekeeping. Unlike most Christian saints, there is no hagiography written on St Gobnait, and so much of what we know comes from folklore. Learn about the miracles, places and objects associated with St Gobnait and the folk history of bees in everyday life with Tiernan Gaffney, folklife curator with the National Museum of Ireland.

As part of its outreach programme, Galway City Museum has curated a series of educational events, which will take place at Westside Resource Centre, on Seamus Quirke Road, throughout the darker months between October 2023 and February 2024.

The series has been specially developed in response to the interests of the local community and covers a wide range of topics from the history of the Claddagh fishing village to St Gobnait and the folklore of bees.

These events are free of charge, and all are welcome, but please book in advance by contacting Westside Resource Centre at (091) 528325.

Image courtesy of the Corning Museum of Glass in New York