Single Source Honey Producer
Fully Traceable 100% Raw Honey
We believe in traditional values
Generations of Experience
Molaga Honey is a 4th generation, family run business based in Timoleague, in scenic West Cork. Set up in the 1860s, it was built upon passion, excellence and quality. These values are still the lifeblood of the business and have made it what it is today.
Our story is sweet
Molaga Honey is a 4th generation family business, operated and run by devoted bee-keeper Kevin Collins, based in picturesque West Cork. The dairy farmer learned the craft from his father, Jerry, and keeps his many beehives in various apiaries in West Cork. He produces pure Irish honey and comb sections. He also supplies pure unblended E.U. honey.
Initially, supplying just West Cork, Molaga Honey is now available nationwide in several supermarkets, convenience stores, shops and hotels.
What’s bee hind the name?
The name ‘Molaga’ is derived from the Gaelic word for Timoleague, ‘Tigh Molaga.’ The name originates from St. Molaga, a 7th century monastic saint, who set up a monastery in the small West Cork village. He was fondly known as ‘the bee whisperer’ due to his natural ability to calm the bees with his gentle approach. The Collins family wanted to continue the bee-keeping tradition in the area and keep the memory of St. Molaga and his legacy alive, so, they incorporated his name into their brand.
The Family Business
Molaga Honey is a 4th generation family business, operated and run by devoted bee-keeper Kevin Collins, based in Timoleague, West Cork. The dairy farmer learned the craft from his father Jerry and keeps apiaries in various locations in West Cork.
Originally, the business was known as Collins’ Honey, and they supplied unblended, raw Irish honey to their customers from their apiaries in West Cork. In 1993, the family saw a gap in the market in Ireland for a premium quality EU honey. They scaled up the business supplying their own Irish honey and a second product – an EU honey. They also changed the name of the business to Molaga Honey.
Today, Molaga Honey produces their raw, natural, Irish unblended honey and they source and supply an extremely high-end EU honey, with the same properties. The products are available to purchase in national supermarkets, hotels, fine food stores and more.
Our Founders
Catherine McCarthy Collins was intrigued by a swarm of bees as a young child. Her father helped her to recover them and this sparked a lifelong interest in them and established Collins’ Honey.
Timothy Collins learned the craft and passion of bee-keeping from his mother, Catherine. He kept many hives on the family farm and successfully ran the business, producing raw, natural, West Cork honey up until 1963.
His son, Jerry Collins continued the family tradition of producing honey and increased production of it. After his retirement from dairy farming in 1993, his hobby of bee-keeping became his full-time job and he discovered a gap in the Irish market for a premium level, more affordable honey. He began importing EU, single source, unblended honey from a group of small producers. Aptly, he rebranded the business from Collins’ Honey to Molaga Honey. He worked exclusively in the business, until he passed it on to his only son, in early 2022.
Kevin Collins now runs this fourth generation business. He grew up watching his dedicated father skillfully nurture the bees, to produce and bottle the honey. He is dedicated to his craft and has great plans to grow and scale the business to be available and accessible in every county in Ireland. He also has hopes to export. Kevin has high hopes that his own children will continue the long legacy of the family business into future generations.