Index Home Join IPCC

International bog experts tour Irish raised bogs

For release 3 September 2001

Raised bogs are a distinctive and characteristic feature of the landscape of the midlands of Ireland.

In September, 30 international peatland experts from 11 countries will participate in a 10 day study tour which aims to showcase all aspects of the conservation and wise use of the midland raised bogs (see Editors Note 1 & 2).

Led by the Irish Peatland Conservation Council, and sponsored by Bord na Móna the tour will visit 13 raised bog locations in counties Galway, Offaly, Roscommon and Longford.

Visitors will be shown sites being set aside for conservation as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC's), where major restoration works are underway to protect the living bog system, archaeologically important bogs needing preservation, the possibilities for re-introducing wildlife to sites where peat has been removed and the economic and tourist after uses for industrial cutaway boglands.

"We are also hoping that experiences gained in conserving, restoring or rehabilitating bogs in other countries around the world, could help in the Irish situation" says Dr. Foss, Chairman of IPCC.

The island of Ireland has 51% of the raised bog resource remaining in Europe.

The study tour will be followed by a day-long conference in Portlaoise which will focus on the three themes of the tour ­ conservation, utilisation and after-use of midland raised bogs. Experts and participants will interact at workshops to produce recommendations leading to a strategy for the wise use, conservation and the management of our raised bog resource. Over 100 delegates are expected to attend.

The study tour and conference symposium entitled "Irish Raised Bogs Conservation, Utilisation and After-Use" will run from the 4-13 September 2001. Further information from the IPCC on Tel 8722397.

____________________________________________________________________

Editors Notes:

Further Information contact Dr Peter Foss on 086 3363188 from 4-13 September inclusive.

Other dates call 01-8722397/8722384

Note 1: Tour participant come from - Ireland; Northern Ireland; Scotland; Wales; England; Canada; France; Estonia; USA; Sweden; Japan.

Note 2: Tour itinerary -

Symposium Itinerary 4-13 September 2001

Tuesday 4 Tour Assembly & Welcome
Turraun Bog, Offaly
Natural regeneration of cutaway & CO2 emission project

Wednesday 5 Tumduff, Offaly
Forestry on industrial cutaway bog
Clonmacnoise & West Offaly Railway, Offaly
Recreational and educational use of cutaway; wetland restoration

Thursday 6 Clara Bog, Offaly
Restoration and conservation of raised bog
Raheenmore Bog, Offaly
Restoration and conservation of raised bog

Friday 7 Killaun, Offaly
Special Area of Conservation & species conservation of cutover bog
Lemanaghan, Offaly
Dryland and wetland archaeological complex dating from 3500 BP to medieval period

Saturday 8 Free Day in Birr, Offaly

Sunday 9 Tullaghan Rock Bog, Roscommon
Conserving clusters of raised bogs, natural lagg and old naturally regenerating cutover

Monday 10 Ballynamona Bog, Roscommon
Bog woodland and surface flush fens
Curraghlehanagh, Galway
Active raised bog conservation

Tuesday 11 Corlea Trackway, Longford
2148 BP oak trackway, archaeological conservation and interpretation

Wednesday 12 Conference in Portlaoise
See programme opposite for details

Thursday 13 Return to Dublin & Close of Symposium

ends