The Farmhouse: a passion for beekeeping

Located in Abbeyshrule, County Longford, The Farmhouse is a family run business specialising in the production of raw Irish honey.

Founded by Pat and Fiona McCormack in 2022, the business is built on a deep commitment to sustainability and the preservation of Ireland’s native honeybee.

The couple has a background in horticulture and started their beekeeping journey with a single hive of native Irish honeybees passed down from Fiona's aunt.

As their passion for beekeeping evolved, The Farmhouse hive numbers started to expand and now their native Irish honey bee population produces a range of products including spring, summer, ivy, heather, chilli infused honey and comb honey, all filtered to retain their natural qualities. A range of beeswax candles and a mix of honey and candle giftsets for that special occasion are also available from The Farmhouse website.

The apiary is surrounded by a vibrant wildflower meadow, which, according to Fiona, creates the perfect habitat for thriving pollinators, "bees, flowers and weather" being the "necessary ingredients" in the production of 100% raw honey.

In 2022, The Native Irish Honey Bee Society declared The Farmhouse a conservation area for the native Irish honeybee.

Beekeeping has become a true passion for Fiona who "loves working in nature".

"Beekeeping can be time consuming, but when you are working with the hives, you are fully concentrated on the job in hand and just completely switched off from the world. For Pat and I it is a true passion and we love working with our bee family," Fiona said. You can find the The Farmhouse range in 16 locations across the Midlands including Fernhill Garden Centre Athlone, Smyth's Super Valu Monksland Athlone and the Bonnie Bó vending machine on the old Dublin Road in Creggan.

For more information visit www.thefarmhouse.ie.