Bog of Allen Map & Guide

Saving the Bog of Allen
The Bog of Allen is the largest complex of raised bog in Ireland, covering 115,080ha in 9 counties in the Irish Midlands. This is a wetland system that took 10,000 years to form and is made from peat. Unfortunately, during the last 400 years, over 90% of it has been lost to drainage and peat mining. Visitors to the area are shocked by the extensive, bare peat fields in the ancient Bog of Allen. There is potential to return these to wetland wilderness and wild woods once they have been harvested and this is a campaign issue with the Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC). 40 peatlands survive todaywithin the Bog of Allen. These need to be conserved for nature, visitors and future generations to enjoy. Everyone can play their part by not tolerating drainage or dumping in the Bog of Allen.

Refuge for Wildlife
A survey of the Bog of Allen area, conducted by IPCC, identified 17 stunning wildlife habitats and 185 species of plant and animal - a testament to the richness and diversity of this wild landscape. Some of the habitats which you can explore in the Bog of Allen includeraised bog, heathland, woodland, wildflower grassland, lake, fen, swamp and canal.

Wildflowers & Animals
You will be amazed at the colours of the wild-flowers and at the abundance of wildlife in the Bog of Allen. Bog moss (Sphagnum) is common as are insect-eating sundew plants. Areas abandoned by turf cutters yield wonderful displays of bog cotton. Heather,
cranberries and orchids add to the variety of plants you will see. Butterflies such as the rare Marsh Fritillary and the Brimstone are there to discover. Watch out for dragonflies flying over your head, frogs hopping beneath your feet, and hares dashing away. If you're lucky you might see predators such as fox or kestrel.

Three Faces of The Bog of Allen

1. 10,000 years ago after the Ice Age, the
midlands of Ireland were covered in shallow lakes. Peat, formed from the remains of dead plants, beganto infill the lakes from the edges.

2. The peat continued to accumulate and filled the lake basin completely to form a fen. This is an alkaline peatland fed by mineral-rich groundwater.

3. Sphagnum moss invaded the peatland changing the fen into an acid bog. The bog became raised above the level of the surrounding land and is fed by rainwater.

Ancient Treasures

The remains of prehistoric settlements; Medieval leather shoes; early Christian bog roads, bog butter, coins, the Great Irish Elk (10, 000 years old) and ancient dugout wooden canoes are just some of the fascinating things that have been preserved in the Bog of Allen from earlier times.

In the Footsteps of Saints

Many Irish heroes and saints are connected with the ancient Bog of Allen landscape. Fionn McCumhaill and the Fianna warriors had their headquarters at the Hill of Allen. Local legend claims that giant-sized human bones found on the Hill of Allen were those of Fionn McCumhaill. According to folklore, St. Patrick, established his first church on Lullymore Island. A stone at the monastic site (shown opposite) bears his footprint. St. Brigid of Kildare travelled across the Bog of Allen regularly. on a togher named after her.

The Brown Gold Rush

The tradition of hand turf cutting in the Bog of Allen goes back 400 years and continues today. A hand tool called a sleán was used to cut the sods of turf. These were stacked to dry in a process called 'footing'. When burned in household stoves and fires, turf produces a distinctively scented smoke. In the 1930's and 40's, Turf Cutting Competitions were popular in the Bog of Allen where individuals demonstrated their skill at cutting and footing turf. Intensive industrial exploitation began in the nineteenth century. A moss peat factory opened at Ummeras, Co. Kildare and peat briquette factories were set up in Kilberry and Derrylea, Co. Kildare. During World War II, when coal importations ceased, the Irish Army camped in the Bog of Allen and engaged in turf cutting by hand. The dried sods were brought to Dublin by barge on the Grand Canal. In the twentieth century, Bord na Móna, the Irish Turf Board, set up 10 peat production works. These delivered machine-cut turf and milled peat to electricity-generating power stations, milled peat to briquette factories and moss peat to horticulturalists.

Exploring the Bog of Allen
The Bog of Allen Nature Centre is an ideal location to plan your trip. Lodge Bog, just a 10 minute walk from the centre, is a raised bog owned by IPCC and managed as a wildlife sanctuary. Further afield you can visit Ardkill Bog, Pollardstown Fen, Clara Bog and Lough Boora Parklands. Or you could take a walk along the towpaths of the Grand Canal, visit St. Brigid's monastic site in Kildare town, or take a look at the famous grasslands of the Curragh. Wherever you go, keep an eye out for the
fascinating wildlife of the Bog of Allen and follow the country code. Wear suitable footwear and clothing and bring a friend.

The IPCC Bog of Allen Nature Centre
The Bog of Allen Nature Centre is located on the island of Lullymore in the heart of the Bog of Allen and is run by the Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC). IPCC are developing a national centre of excellence for peatland education, research and conservation here. We offer educational programmes for schools and special interest groups and the independent visitor. Facilities include a peatland museum, exhibitions about the Bog of Allen, a research library, habitats and gardens including the largest garden of carnivorous plants in Ireland and the U.K. The IPCC is a national charity (CHY6829) campaigning for the conservation of a representative sample of Irish peatlands and is entirely supported by voluntary contributions. The IPCC can be contacted at: Bog of Allen Nature Centre, Lullymore, Rathangan, Co. Kildare, Ireland Tel: +353-45-860133; Fax: +353-45-860481; e-mail: bogs@ipcc.ie.

Thankyou

IPCC acknowledges the support of the sponsors listed and in particular KELT and the LEADER Plus programme which is funded by the Irish Government and
part-financed by the European Union under the National Development Plan, 2000-2006. IPCC also wishes to thank the many Friends of the Bog who generously supported this project.

Irish Peatland Conservation Council Registered Charity Number CHY6829