John Connolly; Nicholas M. Holden
Peatlands
Northern Ireland Peat Maps
Using the latest satellite imaging and other mapping techniques along with extensive soil sampling, experts at the James Hutton Institute will produce peat maps for Northern Ireland that will provide an accurate picture of where our peatlands are, how much peat they contain and the condition they are in.
https://www.ulsterwildlife.org/news/saving-our-peatlands-through-partnership-new-peatland-map-ni
https://www.farminglife.com/country-and-farming/new-peatland-map-for-ni-underway-3329527
Peatlands Gathering 2021 (Ireland)
Post Conference Report and Recordings of Presentations
Full report on the conference and the event recordings are ready for viewing
You can access videos of all the sessions on the Peatlands Gathering site – https://www.peatlandsgathering.com/recordings
You can also watch Day 1 & day 2 of Peatlands Gathering as playlists on Natural Capital Ireland’s YouTube channel:
Day 1 Playlist – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDsZQc7KDOPDkzy84vFSaY9dI_Zf7ZZta
Day 2 Playlist – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDsZQc7KDOPBlEM4lAGh5aX-EVF55ZrmE
Access the PG21 Conference Report here: https://www.peatlandsgathering.com/report
Strategies to improve Water quality from Managed Peatlands
| Project Attribute | Project Details |
|---|---|
| Project Title | Strategies to improve Water quality from Managed Peatlands |
| EPA Project Code | 2018-W-LS-18 |
| Lead Organisation | University College Dublin (UCD) |
| Coordinator | Florence Renou-Wilson |
| EPA Research 2014 – 2020 Theme(s) | Water: Theme 4: Understanding, Managing and Conserving our Water Resources EPA Research Pillars |
| Project Start and End Dates | Start: 01/03/2019 End (if applicable): 28/02/2023 Revised End Date (if applicable): |
| EPA Project Type | Large Scale Project |
| EPA Award Type | STRIVE – Project Based Awards |
| Current Project Status | Grant Awarded |
| Total Funding Amount | 500503.41 |
| Project Abstract/Description | Peatland drainage has disturbed nearly 90% of peat soils in Ireland and potentially led to the deterioration of water quality in affected catchments. The peat extraction sector must develop mitigation strategies that ensure the status of water bodies is protected, maintained and improved in line with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive and Flood Directive. Robust mitigation measures must ensure reliable water purification methods as well as peak flow control, such as controlled flooding in ditches and flood plains. Ultimately, sustainable and effective watershed management to prevent environmental degradation will combine site-specific technological measures to reduce pollutants together with the restoration of previously degraded peatlands and carefully planned rehabilitation of cutaways/cutovers. The SWAMP project aims (1) to appraise the significance and extent of contaminants in drained/mined peatlands and affected catchments; (2) evaluate/develop robust methods and treatment technologies to prevent and reduce pollution at site levels and develop best practice guidelines to apply in this sector; (3) propose predictive tools for effective watershed management involving drained/mined peatlands that would include land use management and sustainable restoration and after-use of cutaway/cutover bogs in order to protect water quality with potential for synergy with biodiversity-climate change measures and policies. 1. State-of-the-art report critically assessing existing eco-hydrological datasets; identifying knowledge gaps; reviewing the main water-related problems and potential mitigation measures/technical solutions. 2. Comprehensive hydrometric and nutrient monitoring networks in catchment areas covering a range of peatland conditions. 3. Database to include past/new field observations of all hydrological data and physico-chemical and biological composition of water samples and associated peatlands parameters; ecosystem properties and measurement protocols. 4. 6 peer-reviewed publications addressing (1) the extent, significance, causes and impacts of peatland drainage/extraction on the health of downstream aquatic bodies; (2) strategies for the rehabilitation and land use management practice of cutaway/cutover peatlands according to their environmental profile with a view to meeting WFD and biodiversity and climate change mitigation targets; (3) Hydrological models for cutaway/cutover peatlands predict chemical transport and impact of treatment technologies on nutrient retention and prediction of expected pollution levels in affected streams. 5. Best Practice Guidelines for environmental protection in peat extraction including robust water purification methods which can be readily used by the EPA 6. Knowledge capacity building available to EPA and peat industry. 7. Communication platform to boost research-industry collaboration, raise water quality awareness and disseminate audience-adapted outputs to all relevant stakeholders. |
| EPA Scientific Officer | DorothyStewart |
Raised Bog Conservation Study – National Parks & Wildlife Service
Ireland has 53 sites nominated as Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)
Click to access SEA%20Environmental%20Report%20of%20DNRBSACMP.pdf
The Raised Bogs of Ireland, their ecology, status and conservation
Bord na Mona: Bogs for Rehabilitation 2022
Begnagh
Click to access Begnagh-Draft-Rehab-Plan_2021-Version-3.pdf
Click to access Begnagh_RehabPlan_GISmapBook_Draftv01.pdf
Clooneeny
Click to access Clooneeny-Rehab-Plan-2021-Draft-V4.pdf
Click to access Clooneeny-Rehab-Plan-_Map-Book-Draftv01.pdf.pdf
Derrybrat
Click to access Derrybrat-Draft-Rehab-Plan_2021-Version-8.pdf
Bord na Mona Peatlands Climate Action Scheme: Bogs Proposed for Rehabilitation to 2021
Garryduff Bog
Bord na Mona’s Garryduff Bog in County Galway is located circa 13 km south-east of Ballinasloe and circa 10 km north-west of Banagher
Kellysgrove Bog
Bord na Mona’s Kellysgrove Bog in County Galway is located circa 4 km south – east of Ballinasloe
Edera Bog
Bord na Mona’s Edera Bog is located in County Longford, located circa 5 km west of Ballymahon.
Kilmacshane Bog
Bord na Mona’s Kilmacshane Bog in County Galway is located circa 18 km south-east of Ballinasloe and 5 km north of Banagher.
Derries Bog
Bord na Mona’s Derries Bog in County Offaly is located circa 5 km south-east of Ferbane
Oughter Bog
Bord na Mona’s Oughter Bog in County Offaly is located circa 12 km south-west of Tullamore.
Clooniff Bog
Bord na Mona’s Clooniff Bog in County Roscommon is located circa 6 km north of Shannonbridge and circa 13km south-west of Athlone
Pollagh Bog
Bord na Mona’s Pollagh Bog in County Offaly is located circa 12 km west of Tullamore.
Castlegar Bog
Bord na Móna’s Castlegar Bog in County Galway is located circa 9 km north of Ballinasloe.
Cavemount Bog
Bord na Mona’s Cavemount Bog in County Offaly is located circa 4 km north-east of Daingean and circa 12 km east of Edenderry.
Clonad Bog
Bord na Mona’s Clonad Bog in County Offaly is located circa 3.5km south-west of Daingean and circa 4 km north-east of Geashill.
Ummeras Bog
Bord na Mona’s Ummeras Bog in County Offaly and County Kildare is located circa 5 km north of Monasterevin.
Derrycashel Bog
Bord na Mona’s Derrycashel Bog in County Roscommon is located circa 6 km north of Ballyleague and 10 km south-east of Strokestown.
Derrycolumb Bog
Bord na Mona’s Derrycolumb Bog in County Longford is located circa 8 km north-west of Ballymahon.
Turraun Bog
Bord na Mona’s Turraun Bog in County Offaly is located circa 12 km east of Ferbane.
Mount Lucas Bog
Bord na Mona’s Mount Lucas Bog in County Offaly is located circa 15 km south-west of Edenderry and circa 4.5 km south-east of Daingean.
Belmont Bog
Bord na Mona’s Belmont Bog in County Offaly is located circa 2 km north-west of Belmont and circa 5.5 km west of Ferbane.
Esker Bog
Esker Bog – Bord na Mona’s Esker Bog in County Offaly is located circa 9 km south-west of Edenderry
Boora Bog
Boora Bog – Bord na Mona’s Boora Bog is located in County Offaly.
Cloncreen Bog and Wind Farm
Cloncreen Wind Farm involves an investment by Bord na Móna of over €100m in low carbon electricity generation infrastructure in Co. Offaly.
Turbine delivery is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2022. Cloncreen Wind Farm will consist of 21 V136-3.45 MW Vestas wind turbines in 3.6 MW operating mode which will have an overall tip height of 170m. Within this size envelope, the turbines will have a rotor diameter of 136m and a hub height of 102m.
Gallery
Cloncreen Windfarm, Co. Offaly
https://mkoireland.ie/cloncreen-wind-farm/
https://www.eib.org/en/projects/pipelines/all/20190189
RELATED DOCUMENTS (IN THE PUBLIC REGISTER)
- Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) – CLONCREEN WIND FARM – Environmental Impact Statement
- Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) – CLONCREEN WIND FARM – Ecological and biological surveys (Appendix to EIS)
- Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) – CLONCREEN WIND FARM – Environmental Impact Statement – Appendices 7-13
- Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) – CLONCREEN WIND FARM – Photomontage (Appendix to EIS)
- Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) – CLONCREEN WIND FARM – Construction and Environmental Management Plan (Appendix to EIS)
- Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) – CLONCREEN WIND FARM – Research on wind farms and health (Appendix to EIS)
- Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) – CLONCREEN WIND FARM – Information about electric magnetic fields (Appendix to EIS)
- Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) – CLONCREEN WIND FARM – Bird studies (Appendix to EIS)
- Environmental and Social Data Sheet (ESDS) – CLONCREEN WIND FARM
RELATED DOCUMENTS (IN THE EFSI REGISTER)
Mountlucas Bog and Wind Farm
Wind farm located on Mountlucas bog, which consists of 1,100 hectares of cutaway Peatlands near Daingean, Co. Offaly.
The Mountlucas bog forms part of the Derrygreenagh group of bogs that straddles the counties of Kildare, Offaly and Westmeath.
Mountlucas Wind Farm was commissioned in 2014 and consists of 28 Siemens 3.0DD-101 turbines with a total installed capacity of 84MW.
Mountlucas Wind Farm has the capacity to power over 50,000 homes
Location