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Overview
Galtee Honey Farm is a family-run beekeeping business nestled in the Galtee Vee Valley in County Tipperary. The farm is home to the Native Irish Honey Bee and is dedicated to natural, chemical-free beekeeping practices that protect this endangered species and support biodiversity. The honey is raw, unpasteurised and produced in small batches, ensuring it retains its natural enzymes, pollens and unique local flavour. Galtee Honey Farm also offers a range of beeswax-based products made from their own hives, including candles, polish and skincare items. Visitors can enjoy guided tours, learning about t Read MoreMeet The Maker
To hear Aoife Mac Giolla Coda speak about her bees is to witness a deep respect for nature and a quiet determination to protect it. Aoife is the beekeeper behind Galtee Honey Farm and one of the leading voices in the conservation of the Native Irish Honey Bee. Her commitment to natural, chemical-free beekeeping is rooted in a love for the land and a strong belief in working in harmony with the environment.
Aoife manages every part of the process – from caring for the hives to crafting the honey and beeswax products by hand. She also shares her knowledge through educational tours, using her farm as a living classroom to inspire others to value pollinators and sustainable farming. For Aoife, beekeeping is not just a job – it’s a calling.
Nestled in the Galtee Vee Valley in County Tipperary, Galtee Honey Farm is surrounded by a rich and diverse landscape that provides the perfect setting for natural beekeeping. The land is carefully managed to encourage native wildflowers, hedgerows and habitats that support the Native Irish Honey Bee – a rare and protected species.
Run by the Mac Giolla Coda family, the farm is deeply committed to sustainable, chemical-free methods. The bees are never moved for pollination and the honey is produced in small seasonal batches, keeping it raw and unpasteurised to preserve its natural qualities and flavour. Each jar reflects the surrounding environment – the gentle slopes of the Galtees, the meadows, and the wide range of floral sources that bloom across the seasons.
The team at Galtee Honey Farm has also developed a collection of handmade beeswax products, including candles and skincare items. The process is carefully hands-on, with everything from harvesting to packaging done on-site. Educational tours and workshops are a key part of the farm’s offering, inviting visitors to learn about the importance of pollinators and how small changes can support biodiversity.
Galtee Honey Farm is more than a business – it’s a living example of how traditional practices, when paired with care for the environment, can produce something truly special.
Other Facilities
Beekeeping is growing in popularity as more people seek out sustainable and environmentally conscious ways of living. At Galtee Honey Farm, visitors can enjoy informative and engaging tours that offer a close-up look at the world of bees.
Led by Aoife Mac Giolla Coda, the tours cover the full journey of honey production – from the hives to the jar – with plenty of insight into the essential role bees play in supporting biodiversity. Visitors will also see how the farm is managed to protect pollinators and explore the handmade beeswax products created on-site.
It’s a unique opportunity to learn about natural beekeeping in practice and to connect with the land and its ecosystems through the eyes of a dedicated beekeeper.
Tours of Galtee Honey Farm are available by appointment and offer a hands-on experience into the fascinating world of bees. Visitors are guided through the beekeeping process, from hive management to honey extraction, with a strong focus on the role of bees in the ecosystem and the importance of protecting the Native Irish Honey Bee.
As part of the tour, you’ll have the chance to put on a bee suit and get up close to the hives, learning how the bees live, work and produce honey. You’ll also gain insight into how the land is managed to support pollinators, and sample some of the honey and beeswax products made on the farm.
Whether you’re curious about bees or interested in sustainable living, this tour is a rare opportunity to connect with nature and gain a deeper understanding of one of Ireland’s most vital pollinators.
Sustainability
Galtee Honey Farm – a shining example of responsible, sustainable food production rooted in care for the natural world.
At the heart of their work is a deep respect for the Native Irish Honey Bee. The farm follows a natural, chemical-free beekeeping approach that supports biodiversity and nurtures healthy ecosystems. Their land is carefully managed to encourage wildflowers, hedgerows, and pollinator-friendly habitats.
Harvesting is carried out with care – always putting the bees first – and all honey and beeswax products are crafted locally in small batches. Their commitment to sustainability is clear in their use of recyclable, reusable packaging and their efforts to minimise waste.
Through educational tours and community engagement, Galtee Honey Farm shares valuable knowledge, inspiring a greater appreciation for bees and nature. Every jar of honey tells a story of environmental respect, heritage and a vision for a sustainable future.
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