German film crew visit bog in Offaly to shoot documentary

A German film crew visited Clara bog last week to shoot a documentary about the ongoing conservation work on the bog and also on the long tradition of turf cutting in the area.

A number of locals were interviewed for the film, including Noel Conroy who cut turf on Clara bog for many years. Noel now cuts at Killeranny bog in Rahan. This bog is what's known as a 'relocation bog' and many of those who previously cut turf on Clara bog have moved there.

''We were cutting on Clara bog up to 2011 and then we were stopped. Cutting turf at Clara had continued for 40 years up to that time,'' said Noel.

The film crew were interested in hearing both sides of the story, those who rely on turf, and the efforts being made to persuade people to move away from solid fuel.

''They wanted to know why we were still cutting. It is a local source of fuel. Because of the energy crisis in the world, we feel turf is an important source of fuel,'' said Noel.

While Noel continues to cut turf, he has also worked and cooperated with the ongoing conservation of Clara bog. ''Last year we did the footpath out to Clara bog to keep people from walking on the road. We got in an extra boardwalk, we got a road from the Island side in. We're now going to do another roadway into Clara,'' he said.

''A lot of former turf cutters have led the development of Clara bog as a tourist attraction.
But my point is we have a local source of fuel, available at a reasonable cost to the houses that are geared to turf. It would cost €100,000 to retrofit your house. But for €300 you can have fuel for a year with turf.''

Noel himself is completely dependent on turf. Does he worry about the health implications?

''We are always concerned, but if you have good dry turf then there are less emissions out of it. Good dry turf is better quality. Last year was a very good year for drying turf,'' he recalls.

Noel and others like him are hoping to continue to cut turf for the foreseeable future. They are allowed to cut turf at Killeranny bog for the next 30 years.

'' The amount of turf we can take is controlled and monitored. Each person is allowed to take 15 tons, (per annum). It's all about the carbon footprint, we feel we can offset the carbon in some other way. We are prepared to plant trees or find some other ways. We are open to suggestions,'' said Noel.

''We feel turf is an important source of fuel for domestic consumption. Covid and the war in Ukraine has left energy so dear. We have a local source to satisfy our energy needs.''

While Noel is hoping to continue to cut turf at Killeranny. He is worried that Minister Eamon Ryan could put a stop to it at any moment.

The film crew also interviewed Minister Ryan for the documentary which is due to be aired in Germany next week.