Mayo island hosts Ireland’s first dedicated mead-making experience
Visitors from across Ireland and Switzerland travelled to Mayo for a unique celebration of bees, biodiversity and one of the world’s oldest drinks
Inish Turk has become the first location in Ireland to host a dedicated mead-making experience, welcoming visitors for a hands-on event celebrating bees, honey and one of the world’s oldest alcoholic beverages.
Held last Saturday (July, 11), the inaugural experience attracted ten participants from Mayo, Galway, Limerick, Cork and Switzerland, who travelled to the island for a day combining education, local food and practical mead-making.
The event began with the ferry journey to Inishturk and included a honey-themed lunch showcasing the versatility of honey in food and drink.
Participants were welcomed by Seán O’Connor, founder of the Native Irish Bee Sanctuary and Wild Atlantic Mead, who introduced the group to the Inish Turk Bee Sanctuary project and spoke about the crucial role bees play in supporting biodiversity, food production and healthy ecosystems.
Throughout the day, attendees sampled a range of honeys from around the world, learning how different floral sources influence flavour, before tasting a selection of meads that highlighted the diversity of the ancient honey-based drink.
The centrepiece of the experience saw each participant produce 4.5 litres of their own mead, which they took home to ferment before enjoying in the months ahead.
Organisers said feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with participants praising the blend of education, hands-on learning, local hospitality and the spectacular island setting.
Following the success of the inaugural event, plans are already in place to make the Inish Turk Mead-Making Experience an annual event, further enhancing Inishturk’s reputation for sustainable tourism and environmental education.
Speaking after the event, Seán O’Connor said the experience was about far more than producing mead.
“This was about much more than making mead. It was about connecting people with bees, biodiversity, local food heritage and the unique environment of Inish Turk,” he said. “The response from everyone who attended was fantastic, and we’re excited to build on this success and make it an annual event.”
The initiative is expected to become another distinctive tourism offering for Inishturk, combining the island’s natural heritage with education, sustainability and traditional craft.