Celebrate the Humble Honeybee at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens' Biggest Honey Fair Yet
Key Highlights :
The buzzing of honeybees will fill the air of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens this August, as the historic venue hosts its biggest Honey Fair yet. Taking place on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th August, this family-friendly event will bring a celebration of the humble honeybee to the public.
The popular food demo stage will be hosted by UTV’s Rita Fitzgerald each day, with a fantastic line-up of chefs and local producers preparing delicious recipes inspired by all things honey. Chefs Paula McIntyre and Michael Young Honey will return to the stage, along with Trevor Dawson from Ulster Bee Keepers and Mead.
More of Northern Ireland’s local producers than ever before will sample their products, each including local honey, which are available for sweet-toothed visitors to purchase throughout the weekend. The ‘Bee Inspired’ area will host 13 different organisations, including Hillsborough Castle and Gardens’ own beekeeper, Gwen Earnshaw. Gwen will host a ‘planting for pollinators’ information tent, and hourly guided walks hosted by Hillsborough’s expert gardeners will focus on how we can nurture bees in our own back gardens.
New for this year, families can take part in Babee Bop, a fun-filled ‘baby rave’ for little ones, in the stretch tent on the West Lawn. Little ones will bop along with Queen-Bee and Honey-Bee, two walk-about characters bringing sass, attitude, and incredible dance moves to the Honey Fair. Live music from the Unholy Gospel Band and Martello Jazz will provide a fitting backdrop all weekend.
Visitors to the Honey Fair can learn more about the important role honeybees play in our environment, sample sweet treats, and reconnect with the perfect pollinators who help to power our ecosystem. Laura McCorry, Head of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, said, “We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors to the Honey Fair this August, now in it’s third year, for a fantastic weekend of family fun, sweet honey treats, recipe demonstrations, and music all inspired by bees and local honey.”
Michele Shirlow, CEO of Food NI/ Taste of Ulster added, “Food NI / Taste of Ulster are proud to help create an inspiring food and drink experience which educates and inspires through the story of bees who are the very foundation of our rich food heritage”. Tickets are now on sale for the unique event, which is supported by the Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme and Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council.
This August, come to Hillsborough Castle and Gardens for a buzzing celebration of the humble honeybee. Enjoy live music, sample sweet treats, learn about our vital pollinators, and take part in Babee Bop. With so much to do and see, the Honey Fair is sure to be a hive of activity.
