Funding of over €23,000 for Cavan peatlands projects

Two projects in Cavan are to receive over €23,000 as part of this year’s Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme.

Killyconny Bog Group will recieve €13,777 to increase community engagement on Killyconny Bog in Mullagh through a number of projects.

While St. Kilian’s Heritage Trust will get €9,750 to develop education and awareness packages and provide craft workshops and classes.

In total over €290,000 of funding was made available for peatlands initiatives across the country for 24 local community groups and organisations under the Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme 2023 , Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan.

Led by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme encourages local initiatives to conserve and revitalise raised and blanket bogs – particularly protected bogs and fens – and promotes public engagement with our natural heritage and environment. The scheme primarily supports community-led projects and volunteer groups, who play a vital role in helping to promote and implement peatland conservation and restoration in Ireland.

Projects to benefit from this funding in 2023 span across Ireland including Galway, Westmeath, Kildare, Longford, Offaly, Kerry, Cavan, Monaghan, Louth, Tipperary, Limerick, Laois, Cork, Donegal and Dublin.

Minister Noonan said: “Communities play a vital role in the mission of the National Parks and Wildlife Service to protect nature. Peatlands in Ireland are often at the heart of these communities. This funding will support the work that local communities and volunteers do as custodians of our natural heritage."

Meanwhile Killyconny Bog Group will host a 'Day on the Bog' on Saturday July 22, to celebrate International Bog Day.

Special guest Maurice Eakin, National Parks and Wildlife Service, will talk about the Restoration of the Living Bog, a protected Special Area of Conservation and will talk about the cultural significance of bogs.

There will be tea on the bog and stories of the past with a display of turf-cutting tools, information about wildlife, nature walks, yoga and mindfulness walks for mental health, and art lessons for all ages.

Those interested in attending the event which is free. should meet at the Heritage Centre, Mullagh from 12 noon, where a shuttle bus will operate throughout the day.