Study Visit to Cloonlarge Bog Loop, Co. Roscommon

The second study visit of our series will take place at Cloonlarge Bog Loop, Kilteevan, Co. Roscommon.

Gain first-hand experience of a community-led peatland project, meet like-minded people, and bring your learning back to your own community.

This is a great opportunity to make connections with community peatland projects and all the stakeholders involved in the project. Ask questions, have fun, and build your knowledge.

You will be brought on a tour of the bog and hear from all of those who have been involved with the project, from community volunteers to local authority representatives and state agency employees.

This event is free of charge. Please RSVP as places are limited. Dress appropriately for the weather.

Email [email protected] or call/text 0876421279 to register your place. 

About Cloonlarge Bog Loop

Status: Lough Ree Special Area of Conservation

For the past six years Kilteevan Tidy Towns with the support of bog owners, landowners, stakeholders, and the local community developed the Cloonlarge Loop Walking and Cycling Trails. While they are involved in many other projects in the village and the surrounding area, Cloonlarge Loop became their flagship project.

Cloonlarge is part of the Lough Ree Special Area of Conservation. Their guiding light through the process was Laura Gallagher, Conservation Ranger, South Roscommon National Parks and Wildlife Service. Through Laura they learned about appropriate procedures before taking action and the developed a greater appreciation of the SAC. Roscommon County Council bought into their vision and supported them all the way. KTT reopened former bog roads and integrated them into the existing road infrastructure and developed 5km/7km or 10km walks around Kilteevan bogs. They have completed numerous project actions, installations, and publications such as removal of 5.5 tons of rubbish from the site, developing a small car park with a picnic bench and bilingual map, a fairy trail, signage on butterflies, flora,moths, and Lough Ree SAC, and installed barn owl boxes, bird boxes and a bug hotel.

In 2022, they opened the Lilliput Way, another section of trail that leads to a captivating sculpture of Gulliver the protagonist of Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels.