Bog Trotters Festival & Summer Solstice

Taking place this summer from 19th to 22nd June, the Bog Trotters Festival will highlight the beauty and importance of the Clara Bog, the vast Esker Loop Walks, and the historic River Brosna, all easily accessible via Clara’s train station. The Bog Trotters Festival celebrates Offaly’s rich peatland heritage and our strong connections with our bogs. View the full agenda and register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bog-trotters-festival-summer-solstice-celebration-tickets-1396574234129

In collaboration with Clara Town, Tidy Towns and Chamber of Commerce, the festival has been awarded funding through the Natura Peatland Community Engagement Scheme, supporting a celebration of Clara’s unique peatland heritage and cultural traditions.

This immersive festival invites the public to explore the past and future of Ireland’s peatlands through an exciting programme of guided walks, site visits, live talks, art and craft exhibitions, music, drama, and a wonderful Summer Solstice Celebration with live music featuring Barnburner, Pippa Molony, Rory Sweeney and Ever After, (Cousin Family). A free event with a BBQ cooked by Island Farm Foods.

Camping faciltiies available on site.

This year’s festival also includes a special dimension with the Irish Architecture Foundation, who will host the Bog Bothy Festival, adding greatly to the event. You can view their separate agenda here. A specially designed Bog Bothy will be constructed to overlook the Clara Bog, offering artists and visitors a 360° view of the landscape and serving as a space for creative workshops, performances, and cultural celebrations and the sharing of knowledge.

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• Guided bogland and esker loop walks
• Talks, live discussions, and site tours
• Bog-inspired visual art, crafts, and live performance
• Smithing with bog ore & knife making exhibition
• Bog social culture inspired community drama
• Music, food, and dance to celebrate the Summer Solstice
• Family-friendly activities and on-site camping