Portlaoise bogside community welcomes Bord na Móna decision over Laois bogs

The vast tracts of former industrial bogs near Portlaoise could end up being a huge tourist attraction, locals now believe.

Bord na Móna, the semi-state company who for decades harvested peat moss in Irish Bogs, including Cashel, Togher and Clonkeen, has recently agreed to leave their old train tracks in situ, which once carried the milled peat back to their factory in Togher.

A local group of residents called the Portlaoise Bogs Group, gave their reaction to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"Portlaoise Bogs Group consists of local groups and residents who are interested in engaging with BnM and other stakeholders to ensure that the vast peatlands around Portlaoise are protected, restored and developed in a sustainable way to maximise their economic, social and environmental potential for the community.

"We envision a future where the area's rich natural, cultural and industrial heritage is celebrated and preserved for posterity.

"The recent move by BnM to retain the rail beds connecting the three bogs, for development of a greenway, can only be welcomed. This is in line with BnM commitment to “build spaces for recreation and discovery in local communities across the country,” a spokesperson said. 

They describe the visitor potential they envisage.

"The network of large, connected bogs in close proximity to Portlaoise, with its large urban population and excellent transport links, means that these peatlands hold immense potential to become a significant tourist attraction.

Google Maps aerial view of Bord na Móna owned bogs south and west of Portlaoise. 

"Visitors could explore the bogs, walk along rail bridges, and immerse themselves in the rich natural and cultural heritage of the area. They could see for themselves where the first shot of the Easter Rising was fired, where the Cashel man bog body was found and discover the site of the Battle of the Pass of the Plumes. 

"As a community, we stand united in the belief that our local bogs are a valuable asset for current and future generations, offering opportunities that must be seized," the community say.

Bord na Móna has other plans for part of the bogs which are not so welcomed by the Portlaoise community however.

They plan to build a large anaerobic digester to generate renewable gas and fertiliser, on a 42 acres site at Cúl na Móna cutaway bog near Junction 18 off the M7 motorway in Portlaoise. 

The project has been dubbed the ‘Bog super dump’ by local opponents. They unsuccessfully objected to the plans via An Bord Pleanala.