BEE KEEPING & BIODIVERSITY IN A HISTORIC  IRISH WALLED GARDEN

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SUNDAY  24th May 2026
11am to 5.30pm

Admission is €20 per adult or €30 for two adults. Children  under 18 are free of charge.

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Why not spend a day immersed in the beauty of a Coolambers historic Irish walled garden while discovering the fascinating world of bees and pollinators. From live hive demonstrations to honey tasting, guided garden walks and family-friendly activities, this is a chance to enjoy nature, learn something new, and experience the heritage of Walled gardens and designed landscapes  in a fresh and memorable way.

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🐝 This will be a day to Explore, Taste & Discover🐝

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Throughout the day, you’ll wander through a series of engaging, interactive stations set within the garden — each offering something new to see, learn, and experience.

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•  See inside a real working beehive

Get up close (safely!) to a live colony and discover the secret life of bees.

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•  Learn the lost traditions of beekeeping

From historic hives to modern practices, uncover how bees shaped our gardens and food.

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•  Experience beeswax & honey crafting

Watch traditional techniques and discover how these natural materials were once used in everyday life.

•  Hands-on activities for all ages

Create seed bombs, try simple hive building, and enjoy creative family-friendly activities.

• Take a guided pollinator garden tour

Walk through the walled garden and learn how planting supports bees and biodiversity.

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• Taste fresh honey straight from the hive

Enjoy a a talk and live  demo extraction demonstration and sample the flavours of the garden itself.

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🍰 Relax & Indulge

Take time to unwind in our charming Tea Rooms, where you can enjoy a delicious selection of homemade, bee-inspired treats — from honey cakes to herbal teas.

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This will be  a  relaxing and enriching day in a stunning historic walled garden setting.  It is perfect for families, garden lovers, curious minds or a day to potter by yourself. It is also a great way to learn practical ways to support biodiversity and a meaningful way to connect with our heritage and nature.

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The garden will open from 11:30am, with the event beginning at 12noon with a special opening address by John Beattie,
Architectural Conservation Advisor, National Built Heritage Service, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

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This will be followed by a guided journey through the informative stations within the walled garden with Anthony Nea, master beekeeper, as he brings you through the various themed stations.

Throughout the day, visitors are welcome to explore the garden at their own pace, revisiting stations, reading interpretive displays, and enjoying the experience in a relaxed and informal way.

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At 3:00pm, John Beattie will speak further about his role and the importance of conserving our built heritage, followed by an additional guided tour with Anthony.

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Visitors are welcome at any point during the day and are also welcome to browse the information at your own pace. You can also dip into any of the talk at the stations throughout the day. 

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Our Tea Rooms will be open all day, offering a selection of refreshments and bee-inspired treats — perfect for taking a break and soaking in the surroundings.​​​

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Note:Please note that photography and videography will take place during the day. If you do not wish to be included, kindly inform us in advance.