Ireland's Most Awarded Honey
Passionate about the Native Irish Honeybee
Blackwater Honey was co-founded in 2020 by brothers Andrew & John Shinnick. Their name and inspiration comes from the river Blackwater in County Cork. They are third (3rd) generation beekeeping family who have impressively amassed over sixty (60) years of practical experience. They run a mainly hobbyist, bee farming business based in Fermoy, Co. Cork.
“Our focus is on using both modern and sustainable beekeeping practices whilst helping to protect the Native Irish honeybee along with producing an award-winning pure and premium Irish honey.” – Andrew
Our Awards
Some of their awards include being the overall winner of a Gold medal at Blas na hEireann – Irish Taste Awards in 2021 for their Soft Set Honey.
They also won a Gold medal three years in a row (2021, 2022, 2023) at the Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards for their Heather Honey (something that no other Irish honey producer has ever done before).
Other awards include winning the ‘Food Award’ in the Irish Times, Irish Country Magazine – Irish Made Awards in 2021.
The Great Taste 2025 results have been released and there were 14,340 entries from more than 3,611 companies across 110 countries and Blackwater Honey won a 3 Star award for their Blossom Honey (making them the first honey producer in Ireland to receive such an award for a Blossom honey).
In the same year, they also won a 2 Star award for their Heather Honey. They have also won numerous 1 Star awards in the past for their Heather & Blossom Honey along with their Section Honeycomb.
Additionally, they have been narrowed down to just 33 Golden Fork nominees where they will be selected for the Golden Fork from Ireland sponsored by An Bord Bia. The winner of which will be announced on Tuesday 9th of September 2025 at the Batterseas Arts Centre in London.
Finally, they have been shortlisted again in the Irish Made Awards this year in the ‘Food Award’ and ‘Sustainable’ categories. The winner of which will be announced on 2nd of October 2025.
Honey made by Native honeybees
Blackwater Honey have several apiaries that use Native Irish honeybees to produce their delicious premium tasting honey.
Their honey is 100% Irish, pure and natural. Just the way nature and the bees intended it which helps to preserve both its flavour and indeed its many health benefits.
“We use only sustainable and recyclable packaging in all of our products. These can be put directly into your compost or recycle bin and it helps better protect our environment by reducing waste.”
Adopt a Hive or Queen today
If you are forward thinking and have a strong interest in Biodiversity you may want to adopt one of our many beehives containing the Native Irish Honeybee.
By partnering with us you or your business will be supporting our conservation work, allowing us to focus on the helping to expand the number of native Irish honeybee colonies in Ireland.
To find out more about how to partner with us click on the link below or simply drop us an email and will will get back to you.
Our Products
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Heather Honey
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Soft Set Honey
€10.00 -
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Blossom Honey
€10.00 -
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Ivy Soft Set Honey
€10.00
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Best Seller
Adopt a Hive
€200.00 -
New Arrival
Adopt a Queen
€75.00 -
Best Seller
Small to Medium Business
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Corporate Hive Adoption
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2 Jar Gift Set
€20.00 -
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3 Jar Gift Set
€30.00 -
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Christmas Hamper
€50.00 -
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Teacher Gift Box
€25.00
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Tealight Candles
€2.00 -
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Candle Sticks
€12.00 -
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Beehive Skep
€5.00 -
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Christmas Angel
€30.00
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Candle Sticks
€12.00 -
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Christmas Angel
€30.00 -
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Small Santa
€5.00 -
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Christmas Hamper
€50.00
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Tealight Candles
€2.00 -
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2 Jar Gift Set
€20.00 -
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3 Jar Gift Set
€30.00 -
Best Seller
Adopt a Hive
€200.00
How Honey is Made
Pollination Service
When bees land on flowers, small pollen grains stick to their bodies & legs. As the bee flies to the next plant, it transfers some of those pollen grains at the next plant thereby helping to fertilise it.
Beehives
The collected nectar by the bees gets brought back to the hive. Today most hives are made of either timber or polystyrene. Wild honeybees will generally live in a hollow in an old tree.
Nectar + Pollen
Within the hive, bees turn the collected nectar into delicious tasting honey & they store the pollen as bee bread which is a vital source of protein. This is their food reward for helping to pollinate plants.
Honey Extraction
In Autumn beekeepers open up their hives & take away the full honeycombs. Using modern equipment, the raw honey is then extracted and poured into jars for us all to eat and enjoy.
