Welcome to Loughshore Apiary

Based in the beautiful countryside of Co Down, Northern Ireland, Valentine and Chris established Loughshore Apiary in 2004 with the main aim of helping to develop a haven for the natural Irish black bee Apis mellifera mellifera who like most other species of bees are in decline. The honey is a mixture of nectar gathered from a wide range of flowers in a three mile radius of our apiaries which are sited across the Ards Peninsula. To make one single jar of honey the bees will visit about 2 million flowers! Back at the hive when the nectar is brought in it is put into honeycomb cells the bees themselves have made. The water from the nectar is evaporated by the bees fanning the honeycomb with their wings. When the honey is ready each individual cell is sealed with a white beeswax capping. At Vees Bees we have recognised the increasing demand for more natural, locally produced, quality skin care products and the natural honeybee, native to this island for thousands of years needs all the help and support we can muster. Honey has been used since medieval times to treat wounds and burns and to fight infections . In fact wax and honey have been found in the tombs of the pharaohs. Over 3000 years old and the honey was found to be still edible! Under certain conditions –such as contact with skin – all honey can produce hydrogen peroxide, which fights bacteria and in recent years scientists have paid special attention to honey, which after many studies has been proven to have powerful antiseptic properties. We aim to use the profits to provide funding that will help improve the bees habitat which in turn will help our environment, by promoting the introduction of wild flower meadows and the local native bees. These bees can withstand our local climate and especially our harsh winters.