Féile an Dúlra – The Irish Peatland Conservation Council’s annual festival of nature
Join the Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC) throughout 2026 to explore and learn about peatland habitat and biodiversity. Full details of IPCC events for 2026 to be finalised in March but for now here are some dates for your diary:
Dates for your Diary
International Bog Day 2026 – 26th July – 11.30am-4pm Celebrate this world famous bog day with the Irish Peatland Conservation Council at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre (R51V293). Free admission and family friendly.
Programme of events: * 11.30-4pm – Peatland exhibition and peat free wildlife gardens open * 11.30am-1pm – Wildlife photography class with wildlife photographer and author Carsten Krieger (places limited booking essential for this class – email: bogs@ipcc.ie) * 12noon -3.30pm – Pond dipping, a nature activity for the young peatland explorer * 1.45pm – ‘Wetland Birds’ a talk from the Breeding Waders EIP * 2.45pm – IPCC to lead a guided walk to Lodge Bog
Heritage Week 2026 – 15th-23rd August National Heritage Week is an annual nationwide celebration of Ireland’s cultural, built and natural heritage coordinated by the Heritage Council. All national events are available to view on www.heritageweek.ie. The Irish Peatland Conservation Council are delighted to share the details of events we will host during this week. All events start at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre (R51V293) unless otherwise stated.
Free admission to the Bog of Allen Nature Centre – Monday 17th-Friday 21st August – 10am-4pm. Come along and visit the headquarters of the Irish Peatland Conservation Council. Explore the peatland exhibition and peat free wildlife gardens during your time with us and IPCC staff will be sure to answer all your bogland questions.
Dragonfly and Damselfly walk to Lullymore West Bog – Monday 17th August – 11am Join the Irish Peatland Conservation Council for a walk and talk to Lullymore West Bog and explore with us why this wet grassland habitat is home to a diversity of dragonfly and damselfly species. Did you know that dragonflies and damselflies actually spend most of their life under water as nymphs? Come along and learn more fun facts about these darting predators. Participants should wear strong footwear and clothes appropriate for the outdoors.
Girley Bog Walk – Tuesday 18th August – 6.30pm Meeting ate Girley Hall (C15 PV21) join the Irish Peatland Conservation Council for a walk to the IPcC own area of this peatland nature reserve. Discover the restoration activities undertaken including the use of micropropagated Sphagnum moss, watch for darting dragonflies and listen for the diversity of bogland birds. Participants should wear strong footwear and clothes appropriate for the outdoors.
Bat walk at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre – Thursday 20th August – 8.30pm Join the Irish Peatland Conservation Council as we welcome Kildare Bat Group to share their expertise on the variety of bats in our local area, habitats where they roost and what they eat. Participants should wear strong footwear and clothes appropriate for the outdoors.
Lodge Bog Walk – Friday 21st August – 11am Lodge Bog is an example of a raised bog habitat join the Irish Peatland Conservation Council as we guide you on a walk to discover the flora and fauna of this peatland habitat. Learn about the IPCC plans to undertake ecotope and hydrological research on this nature reserve over the coming months.
You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky for further information and photographs as events take place. Or join our volunteer list and stay up to date with our fieldwork.
Irish Peatland Conservation Council Wildlife Watching, Bog Walks, Family Fun, Courses & Open Days
The Irish Peatland Conservation Council would like to acknowledge Kildare County Council and the Irish Environmental Network for supporting IPCC’s Féile an Dúlra. As part of this a number of events were held throughout the year, including for World Wetlands Day, Biodiversity Week, International Bog Day and National Heritage Week in 2025.
Contact Us
The Irish Peatland Conservation Council can be contacted at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre, Lullymore, Rathangan, Co. Kildare, R51 V293, Ireland. Tel: +353-45-860133; Email:bogs@ipcc.ie
Free admission to the Bog of Allen Nature Centre – Monday 17th-Friday 21st August – 10am-4pm. Come along and visit the headquarters of the Irish Peatland Conservation Council. Explore the peatland exhibition and peat free wildlife gardens during your time with us and IPCC staff will be sure to answer all your bogland questions. 
Dragonfly and Damselfly walk to Lullymore West Bog – Monday 17th August – 11am
Girley Bog Walk – Tuesday 18th August – 6.30pm
Bat walk at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre – Thursday 20th August – 8.30pm
Lodge Bog Walk – Friday 21st August – 11am