Bog team need your help for as 2023 work begins at Laois oasis

Join in is the message from the team at Abbeyleix Bog are starting the new year on the front foot with a new project to improve accessibility to people who want enjoy the wonderful Laois amenity.

Volunteers are being sought for infrastructure upgrade and maintenance in start on Saturday, 7 January 2023.

"We will add a third sleeper to and a galvanised grid on top of the remaining 550 metres of bog-bridge on the southwestern (Killamuck) side, as well as adding a new 200 metres of bog-bridge.

"The work will be undertaken by the Abbeyleix Bog volunteers. There are more than enough tasks and jobs for all abilities," they say.

Work begin last November when great progress in clearing brush and Rhododendron along the bog-bridge on the southwestern side in preparation for an upgrade and widening.

Last March work was carried out on the upgrade the first section of bog-bridge on the western edge of the project, by adding a third sleeper to the width.

Abbeyleix Bog is a community-led conservation project, covering 200 hectares of various natural habitats near the centre of the Laois Heritage Town.

A big project in 2022 was rehabilitation work in three cutaway areas. The work involved the construction of 3.5 km of bunds or berms, together with nearly 160 individual peat dams in old drains in areas where turf was cut previously.

The creation of nearly 3,000 dams were created 13 years ago played a major part in the bog's rehabilitation.

The aim in 2022 was to rewet of the areas by retaining as much water as possible. The bog team says rewetting to surface level will create conditions favourable for the establishment and re-growth of Sphagnum mosses, the building blocks of peatlands. The impact in certain areas was almost immediate. The work is made possible through €75,000 in funding from the Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme of Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

The Abbeyleix Bog always welcomes volunteers to geet involved with more than enough tasks and jobs for all abilities. If you feel like joining in send an email to info@abbeyleixbog.ie or have a chat with team members Ricky Whelan, Garry Luttrell, Fiona Dunne, Kris Uys, Hugh Shepherd or Joe Cahill.

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It was saved from the Bord na Móna peat machines some 20 years ago and is now an award winning project which has become model of conservation in Ireland and abroad.

Now the project is hugely popular with local people, tourists and conservationists. The Project team say they always welcome visitors, especially walkers, photography enthusiasts, nature and wildlife hobbyists and families who love the outdoors.