Irish Peatland Society

Peatland Study Trip 2023

What lies Within the Peat: History and Heritage

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This year the Irish Peatland Society is organising a series of field trips over two days on 10th and 11th October 2023 that will facilitate an exploration of the history and heritage of what lies within the peat of the midland peatlands.  The essential objective of the event is to foster an enhanced appreciation of the value of peatlands, not merely for what they represent today but for what they teach us about the past and this should strengthen the imperative towards conservation and restoration.

 

The programme for this 2-day study tour will include visits to 5 peatland sites located in the midlands. Starting and finishing in Tullamore, Co. Offaly the event will include one overnight stay in Tullamore. The event overall will afford participants a view into the peatlands’ past and should help to enhance an appreciation of the value of peatlands, not merely for what they represent today but for what they teach us about the past.

 

On Day 1 participants will see the prehistoric Iron Age oak trackway on peatland at Corlea in Co. Longford; this will be followed by a visit to the Celtic Roots bog oak studio in Co. Westmeath; and finally, a practical demonstration of peat depth sounding and peat coring in Cloneydonnin Bog (SAC) on the Offaly-Westmeath border.

 

Day 2 will feature an extensive visit to Lemanaghan Bog in Co. Offaly, the location of probably the highest density of peatland archaeological sites in the world; and the event will be rounded off with a trip to Mongan Bog (SAC) in the afternoon (also in Co. Offaly) which is recognised, nationally and internationally, for its scientific importance as one of the last remaining midland raised bogs in Ireland and is included in the Clonmacnoise Heritage Zone.

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Logistical Itinerary

 

Arrive = All Off-the-Coach                  Depart = All On-the-Coach

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