Clonbeale More Bog Restoration

All photos courtesy of Michael Carroll, Tullamore Lions Club

Photo of ecologist George Smith and the Gorman brothers discuss options for restoration measures on Clonneale More Bog — Ecologist George Smith and the Gorman brothers discuss options for restoration measures on Clonneale More Bog

Following on from the restoration work undertaken through the Tullamore Lions Club on Clonbeale More Bog in 2024, Tóchar Midlands Wetland Restoration were very happy to come on board with the land owner, James Grennan and the Lions Club to fund further restoration work on site as identified by ecologist, George Smith from Blackthorn Ecology.

The ecological report highlighted the need to install several overflow weirs at a location where a significant quantity of water was trapped behind a long berm installed in September 2024. This was to prevent a likely breach of this barrier. It also identified a drain previously hidden under dense rhododendron that required dams installed.

Photo of large bog pool which is about ot breach the berm installed to hold water to re-wet the bog — A large bog pool before the installation of weirs

Photo of peat restoration contractor, Brian Gorman checking the recently installed weir on Clonbeale More Bog — Peat restoration contractor, Brian Gorman checking the recently installed weir on Clonbeale More Bog

Overflow weir installed to minimize erosion of the berm

Despite the removal of a huge amount of rhododendron from Clonbeale More in 2024, the nature of this invasive species is that it will continue to re-sprout and needs constant monitoring and management. So follow-up rhododendron removal was required to tackle the reoccurrence to ensure there are less seedlings for germinating across the site next summer.

Brian Gorman stands beside a large cluster of rhondodendrum. This rhododendron was removed during recent restoration work — This rhododendrum removed was during recent restoration work

We are happy to report that the works outlined above are now complete. A contract to install the weirs, additional dams and eradicate the rhododendron was awarded to Brian Gorman and his team. Our thanks to Michael Carroll and the Tullamore Lions Club for their management of this project and to the land owner, James Grennan for doing his bit for climate change and wetland restoration in Co Offaly.

Photo of Brian Gorman, peatland contractor, James Grennan, owner of Clonbeale More Bog, George Smith, ecologist from Blackthorn Ecology and Michael Carroll from Tullamore Lions Club on Clonbeale More Bog following the completion of restoration work on the site in November. — Brian Gorman, peatland contractor, James Grennan, owner of Clonbeale More Bog, George Smith, ecologist from Blackthorn Ecology and Michael Carroll from Tullamore Lions Club on Clonbeale More Bog following the completion of restoration work recently.

The Tóchar Midlands Wetland Restoration partnership with Lions Club in the Just Transition area continues into 2026. If you are a private landowner or community group interested in restoring a wetland, big or small, please do get in touch.

By email to tocharwetlands@npws.gov.ie or contact your local Lions Club for further information.