Co. Offaly
Location: Situated in Co. Offaly.
Area (ha.): 460
Among the few large raised midland bogs remaining substantially intact. It contains a wide variety of vegetation types and habitats and a well-developed drainage (or soak) system.
Established 1987. State owned.
Animals and Plants of Interest: Thriving in the wetter areas is the bog’s most important group of plants: the Sphagnum Mosses. The mosses act like a sponge, soaking up and holding water. When their leafy mass decays it provides the raw material for further bog formation. Some bog plants are specially adapted to live in these wet, nutrient-poor conditions, such as the carnivorous Sundew, which captures insects to supplement its nutrient requirements. Ling Heather is dominant on the drier hummocks, where it provides shelter for Curlew, Snipe and Red Grouse. The Emperor Moth lays its eggs on Ling Heather, and Dragonflies Nymphs feed in the nutrient-rich pools at the edges of the bog and at Clara they also live in the tree-lined pools of the soak system in the middle of the bog.
Access:
Public access is via the Clara to Rahan road. Along this road 2km from the town lies a small gravel car park on the left. On the opposite side of this car park is a 150m track that goes into some of the bog. This track entrance has a visitor information sign with map and infomation on the ecology.
Co. Offaly
Location: Situated near Clonmacnoise.
Area (ha.): 119
An excellent example of a midland raised bog. It is a valuable addition to the growing network of peatland reserves. Blocking of Bord na Móna drains was carried out in the 1990s in an effort to rehabilitate this bog.
Established 1987. Owned by An Taisce.
Animals and Plants of Interest: The bog is believed to be 9,000 years old and has formed in a basin between 2 east-west trending eskers. A typical midland raised bog vegetation exists with Sphagnum bog moss species that cause bog growth found in the wetter area to the centre of the bog. Mongan bog has a notable lichen community due to the lack burning on the high bog in the recent past.
There are a good number of wintering Snipe to be found, however, Greenland Whitefronted geese no longer use this bog to the extent that the did in the past. Hen Harriers occasionally hunt over the site in Winter.
Access: From the Clonmacnoise to Ballinahown road [R444], park at the Bord na Móna rail underpass. Panoramic views of the bog may be seen from the Pilgrim’s road to the North of the bog.
Co. Offaly
Location: Situated 6 km. north west of Daingean
Area (ha.): 162
A well-developed and exceptional example of deep midland raised bog, which is regarded as being of national importance.
Established 1987. State owned.
Animals and Plants of Interest:
Access: Currently no public access
