[Learn from nature & ancestral wisdom] Saint Gobnait and the bees: A legacy of protection, healing and climate action

What if ancient folklore could help us reimagine our relationship with nature today?

Theme: Learn from nature & ancestral wisdom

Topic: Science, nature & biodiversity

Language: English

In this episode, Conach Gibson, a PhD researcher working with beekeepers along the Irish border, delves into the story of Saint Gobnait, Ireland’s patron saint of bees. Through Gobnait’s tales of protection, healing, and community, Conach uncovers the deep environmental wisdom woven into folklore — and how these stories can guide us in facing today’s climate challenges with care and hope.

You’ll learn:

• What Saint Gobnait’s legacy teaches us about ecology, protection, and community resilience

• How folklore can reconnect us with the rhythms of nature

• Why blending ancestral wisdom with modern science can inspire a more regenerative future

Key Quotes:

"Saint Gobnait was a trailblazing woman with immense strength, who found her calling in the humble honeybee."

"To me, these stories aren’t just old myths—they hold a kind of environmental wisdom, passed down through generations."

"For me, anyway, Saint Gobnait's legacy shows that climate action is not just about working in isolation or focusing solely on one species; it's about recognising the interconnections that bind us all."

Host Bio:

Conach Gibson, PhD Student, EUROBORDERWALKS Project

Conach Gibson is a PhD student at University College Cork, whose research is part of the EUROBORDERWALKS project. This interdisciplinary and interinstitutional European research project uses biographical, ethnographic, and arts-based methods to explore the complexities of shifting and im/mobile borders, as well as the lived experiences of those affected by them. Through her work with beekeepers, Conach has developed a profound appreciation for bees, nurturing a deep sense of care for their well-being and cultivating a more mindful relationship with nature. For Conach, exploring the folklore of bees is a way to reconnect with nature and foster a more sustainable, compassionate relationship with the environment. She hopes her work will raise awareness about the vital role bees play in ecosystems and encourage collective action against climate change.

Additional Resources:

If you’d like to dive deeper into the stories and ideas shared in this episode, check out these wonderful sources:

• Chaomhánach, E. (2024). The Keeper of the Bees: Bees and Beekeeping in Irish Folklore. The O'Brien Press.

• Haraway, D. J. (2016). Staying with the Trouble. Duke University Press.

• Harry Clarke’s stained-glass window of St. Gobnait — Honan Chapel, University College Cork.