At Boglands Bees, Irish black bees have made their home with us. These native bees are well adapted to Ireland’s climate and are known for their resilience and strong natural instincts.

We provide them with Warré hives — simple, vertical structures designed to closely resemble the natural homes bees create in tree cavities. Unlike many modern hive designs, Warré hives use top bars, allowing the bees to build their own natural comb.

Space is added to the hives from below through a process called nadiring. This respects the bees’ natural tendency to expand their nest downward and helps maintain the proper order within the colony.

Our hives are built from locally sourced spruce and are intentionally simple and functional. A quilt box above the colony helps regulate moisture and provides insulation, supporting the bees through the changing seasons.

By offering these conditions and working with minimal intervention, we aim to create an environment where the bees can thrive according to their own natural behaviours — staying only for as long as they choose.