LAST UPDATE | 2 Sep 2025

A WOMAN HAS died in Co Mayo after she was attacked by a swarm of bees.

The incident occurred at approximately 5:40pm yesterday in Ballycastle, Ballina in Co Mayo. Gardaí assisted emergency services.

It’s understood the woman, believed to be a Ballina native, was helping collect honey from a hive with her husband when the incident took place.

The woman, aged in her 70s, became ill and was transferred by air ambulance to Sligo University Hospital. She subsequently passed away.

Another woman, aged in her 40s, who went to the older woman’s aid was brought by ambulance to Sligo University Hospital for the treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, gardaí said.

A post mortem examination will be carried out. The local Coroner has been informed.

The woman is well-known in the area as a beekeeper, and is understood to have cared for the beehive at the colony where the incident occurred.

An Irish beekeeping expert told The Journal that incidents such as this are extremely rare, as bee swarms are not naturally aggressive.

Ballina councillor Michael Loftus said the death was “something you never expect”.

“My thoughts go out to the family and the woman’s husband, it’s devastating,” Loftus said.

He added that some “good neighbours” in the Ballycastle area were among those who tried to help the woman after she was “badly stung”.

“I can’t imagine what it’s like for the family to see that something she loved caused this,” Loftus said.

Additional reporting by Andrew Walsh