Kilteevan Heritage Week Event 2025
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Kilteevan celebrated National Heritage Week, on August 16th 2025, with a Bog Eco-Talk and Guided Walk around the Cloonlarge Loop.
The event was a partnership between Kilteevan Tidy Towns, Kilteevan Community Development Group, Tóchar Stories Tóchar Wetlands Restoration, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Bórd Na Mona, the Community Wetlands Forum and Roscommon Co. Council.
Helen Shaw, curator of Tóchar Stories, Tóchar Wetlands Restoration, introduced the event.
Eileen Fahey made a presentation on the work of Kilteevan Tidy Towns with particular emphasis on how their work had breathed new life into the Cloonlarge area.
Therese Kelly, Senior Ecologist with the National Parks and Wildlife Service made a presentation on Why Restore Our Raised Bogs and displayed images of the restoration process at work
Oliver Mc Glinchy, Bord Na Móna Project Manager, answered questions and assured participants of continued support into the future, if there were had any concerns or questions. Dylan Stronge, Patrick Byrne and Paddy Rigney from the Bord Na Móna Liaison Team were also present to speak to participants.
After the talk the group participated in a walk around the Cloonlarge Loop.
Barney’s Turf Hopper, was much admired and its story very much appreciated.
We were privileged to view some wonderful local wood carvings.
As we strolled Katie Smirnova enlightened us about local flora, butterflies and hedgerows and reminded us of Mark Fox’s win in the National FarmPeat Competition.
The time has now come to breathe new life into the actual boglands. We look forward to seeing machinery at work on Lough Ree Special Area of Conservation in the Autumn. It will be an extraordinary experience to witness our bogs returning to their former glory.
All in all, there was a great buzz and a wonderful positive Partnership for the Goal – Restoring our Boglands. A great day for Kilteevan Tidy Towns as we celebrate our 10th Anniversary. Thanks also to our wonderful Heritage Officer, Nollaig Feeney for her constant support and to all who helped us on our 10-year journey.
To find out more about Tóchar and its work - visit https://www.tocharwetlands.ie
