'A man at one with nature' tourist's praise for Laois bog volunteer

A lovely tribute has been paid by a Laois visitor to a vital man behind the restored biodiversity haven that is Abbeyleix Bog.

Donegal man James Woods took a walk in the protected nature amenity, and encountered one of its founder members.

So taken was he with local gent Hugh Shepherd, that James sent this account of their meeting to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"When you're out and about, there’s always a chance of meeting interesting people. In this case I was in Abbeyleix Co Laois, a long way from the hills of Donegal and had the opportunity to go for a walk in an area known as Abbeyleix bog.

"In reality it is a mix of forestry, bogland, plants, fauna and wildlife, with gravel and wooden pathways to cater for all levels of fitness.

"Not sure of what direction to take after coming to split in the pathway, I met a man who was having his tea and sandwiches, and his name was Hugh Shepherd.

"A nicer gentleman you could not meet, turned out he is a dedicated volunteer worker looking after the trees, getting rid of invasive species of plants.

"Hugh is a Botanist who worked in research and plant propagation in east Spalding research station in Kent, England, and came back to live in Abbyleix to get away from the noise and rush of life after the death of his wife who was Irish.

Below: Hugh Shepherd opening Ursula's Walk which he funded in honour of his late wife, at Abbeyleix Bog. Photos courtesy of Abbeyleix Bog Project.

"Hugh also had his own business designing and building gardens before his retirement and has spent the last fourteen years nurturing nature in this wood and bog land.

"It was so obvious from the chat we had, that his love of the outdoors and protecting what most of us take for granted was paramount to all else. He explained how he had small night time cameras set up in specific areas to capture and take note of the wildlife.

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"Hugh says that people ask him does he have any pets. 'I suppose I do he says but they’re wild birds like blackbirds and robins that come and feed off my hand. When I collect the SD cards from the cameras that are placed near Pine Marten boxes, you get to see foxes, badgers, fallow deer, sika hybrids with red deer, woodcock and otters that come for the frogs'.

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"Hugh is a man at one with nature and deserves a mention for the tireless effort of keeping the habitat in good nick for the enjoyment of walkers and animals alike. It's nice to be acknowledged so the next time you see Hugh let him know you appreciate what he does," James Woods said.