AIE: list of all powered bog drainage operations (where a mechanical pump exists, and is connected to electrical supply), currently underway on BnM properties (to include any underway via joint ventures with PowerGen, Coillte, ESB, OPW or others)

May 15, 2026admin

AIE Request COSEC00292

Note: list of “powered” BnM peatland drainage projects so it’s not the full dataset because BnM also have non-powered drainage schemes based on reprofiling the bogs with machines to drain into nearest rivers

Data points are significant, in the context of recent discussions about moving BnM land to NPWS

https://www.irishtimes.com/environment/2026/04/30/semi-state-lands-targeted-for-takeover-in-nature-restoration-drive

Obviously it would be weird for NPWS to take over BnM peatland drainage/ destruction projects…

Plus there’s an issue here in that BnM is receiving funding for both peatland restoration AND peatland drainage

Note on the data:

The five bog groups being drained are spread across the Irish Midlands:

Blackwater (28 drainage points) — west Offaly, around Shannonbridge
Boora (9 points) — central Offaly, east of Shannonbridge toward Tullamore
Mountdillon (40 points) — Co. Longford, around Lanesboro/Roscommon border
Littleton (9 points) — Co. Tipperary, south of the midlands
Derrygreenagh (12 points) — Co. Westmeath, east midlands around Rochfordbridge

One point to flag: P47/004 (Littleton) plots unusually far south near the Waterford/Kilkenny border — the northing value (122,732) in the source data looks suspect compared to the other Littleton points and likely may be a data entry error worth verifying.