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Community Comes Together To "Transform" Midlands Bog

Thursday, 5 June 2025 13:12

Clonbeale More Bog Group. Photo credit: Clonbeale More Peatland Conservation

A six month review report by Clonbeale Peatland Conservation Grou has outlined the project's progress so far.

An Offaly bog has been "transformed" by after the first phase of a community-led conservation project.

Volunteers expect phase two at Clonbeale More Peatland will deliver a "Wild Walkway" for the public.

The Clonbeale Peatland Conservation Group was set up to conserve around 11 hectares of the Clonbeale More Bog near Rath.

Lions Clubs in Tullamore and Birr and the Eglish Drumcullen Development Committee make up the group, with Tullamore Lions's Michael Carroll acting as the chair.

The six month review report outlines the project so far from its feasiblity study carried out in 2023 to now.

7 different habitat types were identified in that study, alongside high levels of Sphagnum cutover bog moss habitats which formed a conservation plan to help the mosses grow.

The plan began last September when an access route to the site was cleared, with Phase 1 concluding earlier this year.

According to the report, Phase 2 begins in mid 2025  in a planned 'Wilds Walkway' route through the bog in collaboration with St Brendan’s Community School Birr, Coillte, the Oxmantown Settlement Trust, Bord na Móna and private owners.

A second site near Annagharvey in Tullamore has also been secured by the Lions Club, with Blackthorn Ecology carrying out the feasiblity study this August.
 

 

Michael Carroll and John Lyons (Tullamore Lions Club) with Dolores Keaveney after their interview on Midlands Today, February 2025.

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