Hanna's Story
Hi! I’m Hanna Bäckmo.
For nearly a decade, I’ve found inspiration in the world of bees and beekeeping. I grew up in Sweden. (As you might tell from the unusual letter in my name!) Cork is now my home, where I’ve dedicated myself to these incredible creatures and my work as a bee advocate.
My journey began with a simple desire to aid pollination in my garden. It quickly transformed into a deep connection with the healing powers of bees. Through their honey, beeswax, and propolis, I’ve discovered a world of natural remedies and products that nurture both body and soul, and are kind to the Earth.
Beekeeping is my calling. As I tend to my buzzing companions, often in the company of my son, we are also playing our part in preserving the environment. Our Native Irish Honeybees contribute to the delicate balance of nature, reminding us of the profound impact we can make when we harmonize with the world around us.
I’m honoured to share this journey with you as we continue to explore the wonders of bees and their nurturing powers.
From wedding dresses to beekeeping
I have the best job in the world!
This thought runs through my head every single time I put on my bee suit, and it makes me feel incredibly lucky and happy. After nearly twenty years of designing and making wedding dresses for the wonderful brides of Cork and beyond, I took the plunge and became a full-time beekeeper. It has been a steep learning curve, not without complications and lots of hard work. I don’t regret any of it though, as it’s a job so rewarding that I look forward to going out to work every single day.
Stong Connection to the Environment, natural foods and sustainability
Growing up on a small, car-free island off the west coast of Sweden, I spent my childhood as a very free-range child. Exploring the rocky shores and woods together with my siblings. Sailing and swimming were favourite past-times during summer. Dark winter days were spent inventing, creating, and building useful things. The curiosity, creativity and love of nature that was born then has stayed with me all my life. It permeates everything I do, from gardening and beekeeping, to parenting and creating natural and sustainable products from what Mother Nature has to offer.
I took up beekeeping because, having a large kitchen garden, I wanted to ensure that crops of early-flowering fruit and berries were pollinated. I enrolled in a beginner’s course and acquired my first hive. After just a few years, I was hooked.
There is something quite extraordinary and serene about working with bees. Now I can’t imagine life without them! I’m fortunate to be the mother of a little boy who thinks exactly the same. He loves helping me with the bees and is growing into a great little beekeeper. Sharing my beekeeping journey with him and encouraging him to develop a sense of curiosity and love of the natural world is one of the most rewarding things I have done.
The Birth and Growth of Hanna’s Bees
Combining my two passions of sewing and beekeeping, I created Hanna’s Bees. I wanted to offer Irish-made reusable beeswax food wraps at a time when there were no Irish-made wraps available. As the first maker of Irish beeswax wraps and vegan wraps, I supply a large number of retailers throughout Ireland.
The business has now grown to incorporate Irish handmade beeswax candles, Raw Irish honey from our own hives and other Irish Beekeepers. As well as other honeybee products such as propolis, beeswax wood polishes, soap, pure beeswax and more.
What started out as a desire for a viable ecosystem in my back garden has grown organically into an artisan cottage business, creating beautiful, useful, natural, and delicious products for you to enjoy, straight from my hives to your home.
Thank you for visiting my website, I hope you find what you’re looking for here. Please get in touch if there’s anything I can do for you!
Hanna Bäckmo