Mileeven was establised in 1988 by Eilis Gough as Joe, her husband, kept bees as a hobby. Being from Dublin you would wonder how Eilis ended up beekeeping in Kilkenny!
Stuck in traffic one evening, Eilis and Joe decided that there must be something else to do and so took up an evening course to avoid the traffic - which was beekeeping (second option was cabinet making).
Starting with two hives in the back garden of their house, everything seemed normal with this hobby! Fast forward a few years and a move to Piltown, Co Kilkenny where space was not an issue and Joe's love for bees and Irish honey at a questionable level and the two hive hobby turned into a 100 hive job and Mileeven was born.
"Mil" is the Irish for honey and "Aoibhinn" (pronounced "eeven") means delightful! Delightful honey it was and still is, and so a small business, starting with just Pure Irish Honey, run from the kitchen grew to where we are today.
Mileeven is run now by Eilis and Sarah, her daughter, still in Co Kilkenny and is one of the leading honey companies in Ireland. The range has increased to include other honeys as well as Irish honey, like Manuka honey, Organic honey, Honeycomb, Lavender honey but staying true to the quality that is good for the bees and great for taste. Let us take you on a journey.
All of our honeys are pure, raw honey.
The awards from the Great Taste Awards, Irish Food Awards and Gulfood Awards that we have received over the years for our honey as well as BRC AA and Organic Trust Certification confirm our quality and innovation and our position as a leading honey supplier in Ireland and around the world.
Gulfood Innovation Awards
2019
Finalist Best New Product Development
2013
Gulfood Highly Commended
2011
Gulfood Finalist Best New Functional Food
Best New Brand or Company
OTHER AWARDS
2016
Blas na hÉieann Awards Bronze Medal
for Pure Irish Honey
2012
Blas na hÉireann Awards Silver Medal
for Luxury Brandy Butter
2011
Blas na hÉireann Awards Silver Medal
for Cranberry & Port Sauce
2015
Highly Commended at 'World Marmalade Awards'
Mileeven Irish Whiskey Marmalade
Mileeven Irish Breakfast
2013
Small Firms Association Finalists, Food & Drink Category
2010
South East Women in Business Award winners for 'Excellence in Food'
2010
Kilkenny County Enterprise Award winners
2022
Mileeven 1Kg Honeycomb Straight From The Hive - 3 Star
Mileeven Pure Manuka MGO 250, Raw & Unblended - 1 Star
2020
Mileeven Pure Honey - Raw & Unblended - 1 Star
Sarah's Zesty Honey with Ginger - 1 Star
Mileeven Pure Manuka Honey MGO 500 - Raw & Unblended - 1 Star
2019
Mileeven Organic Honey - Raw & Unblended - 2 Stars
Sarah's Warming Honey with Cinnamon - 1 Star
Mileeven 1kg Honeycomb - Straight from the Hive - 1 Star
2018
Mileeven Pure Honey - Raw & Unblended- 1 Star
Mileeven Pure Lavender Honey - Raw & Unblended - 1 Star
2017
Sarah's Fruity Acacia Honey with Mixed Berries - 2 Star
Mileeven Pure Honey - 1 Star
Mileeven Pure Manuka Honey MGO 250 - Raw & Unblended - 2 Stars
2014
Mileeven Organic Honey 2* GOLD
2013
Mileeven Pure Honey 1* GOLD
Mileeven Manuka Honey 10+ 1* GOLD
2012
Sarah's Zesty Honey with Ginger 2* GOLD
2011
Sarah's Scrummy Honey with Sour Cherries 1* GOLD
2009
Ginger Tea Brack 3* GOLD
2007
Honey and Mango Spread - GOLD
2005
Honey and Cream Liqueur - SILVER
Raspberry and Poitin Preserve - SILVER
Irish Whiskey Marmalade - BRONZE
2004
Raspberry and Poitin Preserve - GOLD
Luxury Christmas Pudding - BRONZE
2002
Pure Irish honey - SILVER
Summer Fruits and Whiskey Preserve - BRONZE
2000
Organic Marmalade - SILVER
1999
Pure Irish Honey - SILVER
Bridgestone Guide
2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
"Best Places to Eat, Stay & Drink"