10,000 years of Natural Heritage at Girley Bog

Published by Dave Brooks on August 24, 2016

August 24th, 2016

To celebrate Heritage Week 2016, the Irish Peatlands Conservation Council (IPCC) are hosting a guided nature walk on Girley Bog, County Meath, this Sunday, 28th August.

Participants will enjoy the wonderful wildlife supported by this raised bog and the bog pools within it. Guides will help visitors to identify many of the plants and animals that are typical to this rare habitat, which is a designated Natural Heritage Area. The bog has been growing for the last 10,000 years, since the last Ice Age, with Sphagnum Moss representing the main peat-forming plant present on Girley.

In an effort to assist schools to access and teach about this fantastic natural heritage site, the IPCC are developing a Girley Bog Peatlands Education Pack, which will be available later in the year. Katie Geraghty, Campaign Officer at the IPCC commented: “The Education Pack will offer a new, fun and exciting way to learn about peatlands in the classroom while encouraging teachers and students to visit Girley Bog and experience this amazing ecosystem first hand. It will build an appreciation of peatlands and the important services that they provide and at the same time deliver part of the school curriculum.”

This Sunday’s nature walk on the bog is open to the whole family, free of charge, meeting at Causey Farm at 2pm. As always, participants are advised to bring strong footwear and rain gear!

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