Ireland’s Oldest Drink Reimagined for Today

The O’Connor family is delighted to announce the launch of Wild Atlantic Mead, Ireland’s newest mead, which will make its first public tasting appearance on Inishturk Island, Co. Mayo, on July 11, 2026.

Crafted from a blend of Irish heather and wildflower honey, Wild Atlantic Mead draws inspiration from one of Ireland’s oldest and most celebrated drinks while embracing a modern approach to flavour, quality and sustainability.

For thousands of years, mead – often referred to as honey wine – occupied a special place in Irish culture. Long before the arrival of whiskey, mead was enjoyed by Irish kings, chieftains and communities and was closely associated with celebration, hospitality and storytelling. References to mead can be found throughout Irish mythology and folklore, including the ancient High Kings of Tara and the great feasting halls that formed the heart of early Irish society.

Today, Wild Atlantic Mead seeks to honour that heritage while creating a distinctive product rooted in the landscape, biodiversity and traditions of the west of Ireland.

Inspired by the Wild Atlantic Way

The inaugural release is a traditional mead made from a carefully selected blend of Irish heather and wildflower honey.

Heather honey has long been associated with the rugged landscapes of Ireland’s Atlantic coastline. Its rich flavour profile and connection to the mountains, boglands and coastal habitats of the west make it a fitting tribute to the Wild Atlantic Way and to Inishturk Island itself.

The inclusion of wildflower honey complements the heather honey, creating a balanced mead that reflects the diversity of Ireland’s natural environment and the important role played by pollinators in sustaining that landscape.

Every bottle tells a story of Irish bees, Irish flowers, Irish heritage and the communities that continue to protect them.

From Beekeeping to Mead Making

Wild Atlantic Mead is the latest development from the O’Connor family’s long-standing passion for beekeeping and biodiversity.

Sean O’Connor and his family have spent several years developing apiaries, supporting pollinator projects and promoting awareness of the importance of bees to food production and the environment.

This commitment is perhaps best demonstrated through their support for the Inishturk Native Irish Honey Bee Sanctuary, a unique initiative established to help promote awareness of Ireland’s native honey bee and the wider importance of pollinators.

Located on the remote Atlantic island of Inishturk, the sanctuary combines beekeeping, education, biodiversity monitoring and community engagement. The project also uses modern hive-monitoring technology to better understand colony health and development while sharing that information with the wider public.

Wild Atlantic Mead represents a natural extension of that journey – transforming one of nature’s most remarkable products into a drink that celebrates both heritage and place.

A New Chapter for Irish Mead

Although mead has deep historical roots in Ireland, relatively few Irish consumers have had the opportunity to experience a traditionally crafted mead made from Irish honey.

Wild Atlantic Mead aims to help change that.

The long-term vision is to create a range of premium Irish meads that showcase the character of different Irish honeys and botanicals while supporting rural enterprise, biodiversity awareness and sustainable beekeeping.

The launch on Inishturk Island marks the first step in that journey.

Visitors attending the Mead-Making Experience on July 11 will be among the first members of the public to taste Wild Atlantic Mead and learn more about the history, production and future of mead in Ireland.

Launch Event

Wild Atlantic Mead – First Public Tasting
Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026
Location: Inishturk Island, Co. Mayo

Guests attending the special Mead-Making Experience will have the opportunity to sample Wild Atlantic Mead, taste a range of Irish honeys, learn about the mead-making process and discover the story behind Ireland’s oldest drink.

As Wild Atlantic Mead begins its journey, the O’Connor family hopes it will inspire a new generation to rediscover one of Ireland’s most ancient traditions.

Wild Atlantic Mead
Ireland’s oldest drink. Reimagined for today.