A bog in County Tyrone is set to be transformed into a first-of-its-kind peatland restoration.
Plans have been made for a former commercially harvested Tyrone bog to be restored again into a thriving peatland.
The initiative, a first-of-its-kind for Northern Ireland, is led by An Creagan Centre and nature conservation charity Ulster Wildlife.
Over the next decade, Haughey’s Bog near Omagh will be rejuvenated and rewetted. This will involve trialling different restoration methods, such as bunds and dams in strategic locations.
Haughey’s Bog – will become Northern Ireland’s first peatland restoration
Ulster Wildlife, Northern Ireland’s leading local nature conservation charity, has teamed up with An Creagán Centre to successfully transform Haughey’s Bog.
Haughey’s Bog sits outside Omagh. This initiative will see it transform into a thriving demonstration hub for peatland restoration. As a result, this will be the first of its kind in Northern Ireland.
The interventions at the bog will help the overall wildlife in the area and trap water. This will result in peat-forming plants growing once again. Furthermore, it will also aid in reducing carbon emissions, which is excellent for the environment.
Ulster Wildlife – Northern Ireland’s leading local nature conservation charity
Simon Gray, head of peatland recovery at Ulster Wildlife, described the peatlands as the greatest natural asset in Northern Ireland.
“They hold over half of our land-based carbon stores, filtering masses of water and providing a vital haven for iconic wildlife.
“However, over 80% of them are in poor condition, with the worst, like Haughey’s Bog, dried out, devoid of life and leaking tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere.
“Restoring peatlands to a healthy condition is one of the most cost-effective nature-based solutions to tackling the nature and climate crises, but it needs to happen on a large scale and at pace.
“Collaboration and landscape-scale projects are crucial, and we are excited to be leading the way at Haughey’s Bog, educating and sharing best practices in peatland restoration to help transform these vital habitats across the country,” he explained.
An Creagan Centre – a popular tourist attraction
An Creagán Visitor Centre is a popular tourist attraction. It’s located between Omagh and Cookstown at the foothills of the Sperrin Mountains,
It offers many facilities and activities for families, individuals, couples, and groups. It’s definitely a highlight in County Tyrone.
John Donaghey, manager of An Creagan Centre, said he is looking forward to working with Ulster Wildlife. Also, the important part the centre will play in the restoration of Haughey’s Bog.
He said that the initiative has the power to “develop an ethos of valuing the fragmented remnants of raised bog and the local heritage in this area”.
They can carry this out “while supporting local farmers with advice, training and mentorship in this important habitat restoration work”, he said.
