We are a community-led conservation project with walking trails open to all
About us
Abbeyleix Bog Project manages 500 acres that includes around 100 acres of degraded—but improving—raised bog.
Turf was harvested from the site through the mid-20th century.
Today, the site's former railway line provides an elevated walking trail and connects to a boardwalk and bog bridge built by Abbeyleix Bog Project volunteers.
Abbeyleix Bog Project is entirely ran by its community of volunteers.
Our local community takes great pride in managing the bog for the benefit of its habitats, wildlife and visitors.
photo credit: Tina Claffey
Read more about our community and approach
'A MAN AT ONE WITH NATURE': TOURIST'S PRAISE FOR LAOIS BOG VOLUNTEER
- Laois Live
"Hugh is a man at one with nature and deserves a mention for the tireless effort of keeping the habitat in good nick for the enjoyment of walkers and animals alike."
THE ABBEYLEIX BOG PROJECT: A MODEL FOR COMMUNITY-BASED PEATLANDS RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT
- United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
"This successful project to protect and restore Abbeyleix Bog, located in County Laois, Ireland, has been hailed as a model for community-centred peatland restoration efforts and recognized as a textbook example of sustainable peatland management."
- Landscape Finance Lab
"Abbeyleix is a microcosm, and replicates in a localised way the five elements essential for integrated landscape management."
Follow along with our work!
Our Conservation Management Plan helps to guide our work on the bog. In the past year alone, we've:
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Delivered on the second phase of a two-year project to remove rhododendron or Rhododendron ponticum, a highly invasive species, on the site
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Completed our bog bridge track for Killamuck loop
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Observed a significant increase in moths recorded on site, including the species Devon Carpet—a true highlight!
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Also observed a number of bird species in the bunding areas, such as grey heron, grey wagtail, little egret, teal (duck) and the skylark
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Hosted many visitors, including international groups
We share frequent updates from the site on our Facebook page!
Art and Abbeyleix Bog
Autumn Walk by Anne Van Dorpe
The unique landscape of our bogs has inspired artists, writers and poets for centuries.
In 2023, the Abbeyleix Bog Project accepted art submissions from the public for its annual calendar and was was delighted with the response. It is through the generosity of all the artists who submitted, the businesses of Abbeyleix, Portlaoise and Ballyroan and the public who bought the calendars that this project was such a success.
In 2024, Abbeyleix Bog also hosted the inaugural OF.HANDS arts festival.
This saw many local artists and craftspersons sharing their skills on the bog and in Abbeyleix Town.
