PLIGHT OF THE BUMBLE BEE by Brenda Castles

The Irish American Heritage Museum proudly welcomes Plight of the Bumble Bee, featuring Brenda Castles, David McKindley-Ward and Eimear Arkins, to the Flanagan Theater.

Do you think you know about bees?

Plight of the Bumble Bee is a captivating short film that takes you deep into the world of bees and their profound connection to Irish religion, folklore, and biodiversity. This thought-provoking documentary explores the vital role bees play in our ecosystems, the challenges they face, and how we can help ensure their survival.

With moments of sadness, humour and ultimately hope, the film beautifully weaves a narrative that highlights the urgent need to protect biodiversity, both in Ireland and across the globe. It debunks common myths about bees and biodiversity, offering fresh insights and inspiring viewers to take action.

The documentary features heartfelt interviews, including with the likes of Kilkenny native, 81-year-old Peter Walsh, who has been counting bees in the same spot in Kilkenny since 1959, environmental psychologist Christine Mullan-Jensen, and Skerries locals Charlie and Marion Heasman, who have created a remarkable 5km-long biodiversity corridor. The stories of the Irish saints associated with our bees are colourfully animated by Ruth Clinton and Clare Henderson.

Accompanied by a unique live soundtrack of traditional Irish music composed by Brenda Castles and performed by Brenda on concertina, guitarist David McKindley-Ward, and violinist Eimear Arkins, Plight of the Bumble Bee is a celebration of nature, community, and resilience.

Prepare to be inspired. Prepare to act. This is a story not just about bees, it’s about us all.

Brenda Castles hails from Co. Meath and honed her concertina skills under the tutelage of Rena Traynor and Mícheál Ó'Raghallaigh. She released two solo albums of concertina music in 2016 and 2021.

Brenda is a seasoned performer and often graced stages alongside Mick Moloney's Green Fields of America. Beyond her musical endeavours, Brenda has delved into the realm of film, creating and producing the evocative short film 'Plight of the Bumble Bee,' complete with a traditionally inspired soundtrack of her own composition, for which she received the Brian O’Donovan Award in January 2025. The film was shortlisted for the 2025 Powerscourt Nature Media award.

Notable recent Irish performances include a headline solo concert at Temple Bar TradFest, Dublin, an appearance on Ireland’s national broadcaster RTÉ’s Late Late Show, Earth Rising Festival in the Irish Museum of Modern Art, and the ITMA's Drawing From the Well concert in Dublin’s National Concert Hall.

Eimear Arkins is an award winning artist from County Clare. She has toured extensively with acclaimed bands; Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann; Tomáseen Foley’s A Celtic Christmas; and Eileen Gannon. Eimear is a qualified Irish music and dance instructor and has taught at festivals worldwide. In 2018 she released her debut album, What’ s Next? and was awarded “Best Newcomer” from LiveIreland. Eimear released Here & There in 2024 and was awarded ‘Female Vocalist of the Year’ from Ireland Tonight. In 2025, she was named one of The Irish Echo’s top 40 under 40 honorees and released The Belles of St. Louis with Eileen Gannon.

Award winning musician and performing artist David McKindley-Ward grew up in the DC area steeped in folk, traditional, and protest music from all over the world. From his folk foundation of Pete Segeer and Stan Rogers, he found a love for Irish music from cassette tape recordings of the old folk revival balladeers from the 50s and 60s; the Clancy brothers and Tommy Makem, the Dubliners, The Wolftones, and many more. His interest in traditional singing grew when exposed to such greats as Paul Brady, Dolores Keane, and Donal Maguire, and much of his style and repertoire is based on these three. Currently, David collaborates with many Irish singers and instrumentalists, including, Eimear Arkins, Liz Hanley, Brenda Castles, Joey Abarta, Allen Murray, and many others. He has recorded three albums with singer-songwriter Letitia VanSant, their latest release “Eye of the Storm” will be released this year.

Over the last few years, he has made a name for himself as a touring artist across the US, Ireland and the UK and a regular performer and instructor at festivals including O’Flaherty’s Irish Retreat, Atlanta Irish Fest, Baltimore Tradfest, Celtic Fest Mississippi, the Ashokan Center, The Philadelphia Céilí Group Traditional Irish music and Dance Weekend, and the Augusta Irish Retreat.

IAHM is grateful to sponsors of this event: Metroland Now, Common Roots Brewing Company, ParkAlbany and the Flanagan family.

Show your ticket the day of the show at Common Roots Brewing Company and get the Common Roots’ special “IAHM Buy One / Get One” beverage deal!!!

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