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IPCC's Vision of the Bog of Allen Nature Centre

On the 2nd October 2003, as you may have read in the press, the Irish Peatland Conservation Council, a national charity campaigning for the conservation of bogs were very fortunate to purchase the Peatland World Museum at Lullymore from Teagasc.

IPCC was founded in 1982. One of IPCC's growth and development aims has been to have our own headquarters somewhere in the bog. The sudden sale of the Peatland World Museum at Lullymore, in the middle of the Bog of Allen, was an opportunity the organisation could not afford to miss. Here was our once in a lifetime opportunity to develop a centre of excellence for the teaching, interpretation and public awareness of peatland issues, and what better place to do it than in a location with such strong links with the bogs for over 60 years.

The Irish Peatland Conservation Council is a national charity and is largely supported by private donations from supporters. Once the decision was made to purchase the Peatland World Museum buildings on 2 acres of ground, we launched a fundraising appeal which generated ¤70,000. This has been invested in the refurbishment of the buildings and grounds. In addition we have been given a range of items and services which have helped us set up the project and a team of volunteers are actively helping us on site in our efforts.

The IPCC's Board of Directors have developed imaginative plans for Peatland World at Lullymore, Co. Kildare. Our vision is the Bog of Allen Nature Centre.

The Bog of Allen Nature Centre is inspired by the bogs, fens, wetlands and cutaway bogs characteristic of this renowned area of the Irish midlands. Its focus will be on the past, present and future of these wetlands interpreted through the media of exhibitions and outdoor displays. It will give visitors a sense of place, which will allow them to engage with wetland sites in the locality and with the cultural importance of wetlands to the local community.

Four external exhibition areas to the rear of the building will lead visitors on an exciting adventure in conservation.

* Bog of Allen Habitats: Three wetland habitats including open water, fen marsh and raised bog, all typical of the past, present and future landscape of the Bog of Allen. These will provide a refuge for species under threat. Such outdoor exhibits will convey essential conservation messages and will develop basic ecological literacy. The habitats created will be used to deliver formal school curricula naturally in an on site experiential learning programme.

* A pond zone with pond dipping areas where children can interact with all things wet and wild.

* Fly Traps Hot House: collection of insect eating plants from peatlands in other parts of the world to inspire visitors.

* Sustainable Gardens presenting a new way of learning for life with ideas that everyone can use at home. It will include a composting and recycling garden, birds and wildlife peace garden and bog garden. A hide will be incorporated where visitors can observe wildlife.

Inside the Visitor Centre building, a number of permanent and temporary Discovery Exhibitions will be developed which will focus on aspects of biodiversity, the environment and the cultural importance of peatlands and bogs in Ireland and around the world. The exhibits will highlight human interaction with peatlands and will provide ideas for action that can be implemented by everyone to help conserve our native habitats. Themes to be developed will include world peatlands, birds and wildlife in the sustainable garden, the wild bogs and fens of Ireland and celebrating the culture of boglands. A variety of media will be used to excite visitors and encourage them to actively learn through experience.

Peatlands Research Centre: comprising a research library and site database. The library will provide reference resources for studying the conservation, interpretation, folklore, archaeology, utilisation and management of peatlands around the world. The site database will contain information on every peatland of conservation and education importance in Ireland.

Full public facilities, wheelchair accessible, parking, gallery, restaurant, picnic areas, conference venue, outdoor classroom, shop and garden plant centre will be provided at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre.

IPCC intend to initiate a programme of investment in the Bog of Allen Nature Centre over the next 10 years which will see us build on the success and reputation of the project to date. We are keen to involve international peatland groups and the local community in the initiatives planned at the project, so that the Bog of Allen Nature Centre becomes a focal point for visitors to the island of Lullymore.

Our first phase of activity which is being co-ordinated by Ms Mary Mulvey for the IPCC is to relocate our staff and the national Save the Bogs Campaign to Lullymore by the summer of 2004. We will have exhibitions open for visitors to see and activities up and running on site for school groups at this time.

We would like to thank everyone who helped make it possible for us to embark on this exciting new growth phase at IPCC. We welcome any further support or information anyone can give.

Please help by sending your gift of Euro 1,000 ... Euro 350 ... Euro 50... whatever you can afford .... at this critical moment. Just use the form enclosed or phone me on 045-860133. We will not get another chance like this and have only until the end of September to raise the funds needed. We will seek to match your donation, euro for euro, with State and corporate funding.

Catherine O'Connell, Chief Executive, IPCC

You can make your donation to the Bog of Allen Nature Centre or check out the list of items and skills we are looking for towards the purchase and restoration of the centre - by going here

Copyright © Irish Peatland Conservation Council 2004