Price range: €12.50 through €25.00
Join beekeeper Hanna Bäckmo for a relaxed tour of a traditional Irish cottage garden, where honeybees, gardening and homegrown seasonal food go hand in hand.
Learn about honeybees and watch a honeybee colony at work in the observation hive, wander through the gardens and greenhouses, taste seasonal produce straight from the plants, and finish with a guided tasting of raw Irish honeys from our own hives.
Join beekeeper Hanna Bäckmo for a relaxed tour of her traditional Irish cottage garden, where honeybees, gardening and homegrown seasonal food go hand in hand. It is a perfect experience or gift for food lovers, gardeners and families. Or for anyone curious about bees, nature and good local food.
Set in the gardens of Clash Cottage, a traditional Irish homestead restored over the past decade. This guided tour takes you through the cottage garden, productive kitchen garden and greenhouses, where we grow flowers for bees and other pollinators, herbs, fruit and vegetables, and keep bees, ducks and chickens.
Your visit begins with an introduction to honeybees. Meet our bees safely in the observation hive and learn the inner workings of a honeybee colony, from how bees communicate and make honey to the vital role they play in pollinating many of the foods we eat.
We’ll then walk through the gardens and greenhouses together, looking at the flowers, herbs, fruit and vegetables growing there and the pollinators and wildlife they attract. Depending on the season, you’ll also have the opportunity to taste fruit, herbs and vegetables straight from the plants.
The tour finishes around the tasting table. Here you’ll sample a selection of our raw Irish honeys alongside freshly prepared herbal teas made from herbs gathered in the garden. There’ll be plenty of time to ask questions about bees, gardening and growing your own food.
Before you leave, you’ll also have the opportunity to browse and purchase our honey and beeswax products in the workshop.
| Ticket type | Adult (16+), Child (8-15) |
|---|
Looking for a private group tour or can’t find a date that suits?
We offer private experiences for families, friends, corporate groups and clubs. Email us with your preferred date and group size and we’ll get back to you with availability.
Not at all. This experience is designed for anyone with an interest in bees, gardening, local food or nature. No previous experience is required.
Group sizes are intentionally kept small, with a maximum of 15 participants, to create a relaxed and personal experience with plenty of opportunity to ask questions.
Yes. The tour is suitable for adults and children aged 8 years and over. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult.
No. This tour does not include entry to the apiary. You’ll observe a honeybee colony safely in the observation hive while learning about honeybees and their important role as pollinators. If you’re looking for a more immersive experience, we also offer our Hands-on Beekeeping Experience, where you’ll suit up, enter the apiary and harvest honey directly from the hive.
Your visit includes a guided tour of the gardens and greenhouses, an introduction to honeybees using the observation hive, seasonal tastings from the garden (when available), a guided tasting of raw Irish honeys and freshly prepared herbal tea.
Please wear comfortable clothing and suitable footwear for walking around the gardens and greenhouses. As much of the experience takes place outdoors, we recommend dressing appropriately for the weather.
As this tour does not enter the apiary, the risk of being stung is very low. However, honeybees and other pollinators are present throughout the gardens, so we cannot guarantee that stings will not occur. This experience is therefore not suitable for individuals with a known severe bee sting allergy.
Yes. Photography is welcome throughout the experience. We kindly ask guests to be mindful that not everyone may wish to appear in photographs.
Experiences may be rescheduled at short notice due to unsuitable weather.
Public visits are shared in small groups to preserve the quality of the experience. Private group bookings for families, friends, clubs and corporate groups are also available on request. Simply email [email protected] to discuss availability.
If none of the advertised dates are suitable, please email [email protected] and we’ll do our best to arrange an additional date where possible.
Yes. Before you leave, you’ll have the opportunity to browse and purchase our range of raw Irish honey, beeswax products and seasonal gifts in the workshop.
Hanna’s Bees is located at Clash Cottage, Clash Road, Little Island, Co. Cork, T45 YX68.
Free parking is available on site. Hanna’s Bees is located just off the N25 and is easily accessible from Cork City, East Cork and surrounding areas.
Little Island Train Station is the nearest station and is serviced regularly from Cork Kent Station via the Cork–Cobh and Cork–Midleton commuter lines. The walk from the station to Hanna’s Bees is approximately 20 minutes.
Cork Connect routes 210 and 211 both service Little Island and stop near Eastgate and Little Island Train Station, approximately a 10–15 minute walk from Hanna’s Bees depending on the stop selected.
Hanna’s Bees can also be reached by bicycle from Cork City, Glounthaune and East Cork using the cycle route and greenway connections linking the area.
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
There are no reviews yet.