Regular readers here will know that we’ve spent a lot of time walking the bog recently in search of Harry – without any luck I have to say.
For those who’ve never been to a bog, our Irish boglands are very special. The peat bogs make up 5% of this island of ours. Peat is made up of the partially decomposed remains of dead plants. As these plants decay a layer of ‘bog’ is formed. The process takes hundreds of years.
The bogs are home to many rare plants and animals.
Here in Redwood we are surrounded by a few different bogs, the biggest being Redwood bog. While bogs in one sense are a little bleak and eerie, they do hold their own beauty.
In recent years, the harvesting of peat has been stopped or restricted in many raised bogs. Harvesting, however, in our bogs still continues, with the major activity happening in June and July.
Boglands are special areas of conservation, with the Irish Peatland Conservation Council do amazing work in this area. And we have been proud to assist them over the years.
The diversity of plantlife on the bog is amazing. The last day we walked the bog the gorse was in full bloom, the heather was just starting to bloom as were the bull rushes.
Imagine our horror when we saw this down on the trackway to the bog?
Someone (and I have to presume it is local) has been going down there and chopping trees for firewood, and also using the area as a general dump! What kind of people are out there? They really have no respect at all.
To further incense me I read today that our newly formed government has decided that we don’t need a Department devoted to the Environment??? What kind of twats are they?
Does anyone at all care about our land? It is not a finite source. People are destroying it.
Do you care? If so you might like to sign this petition to reverse the government decision to abolish the Dept. of the Environment.
A Year In Redwood 
I as a foreigner living in your land care very much about it. It makes my blood boil to see the destruction of this beautiful country. Be it dumping of rubbish or burning the wildlife and life in general out of the boglands, uplands etc and calling it ‘wildfires’ when we all know who the culprits are.
I didn’t know that about the decision not to have an Environmental Department. Absolutely unbelievable.
Hi Patricia,
I’ve actually just added a link where you can sign a petition to stop the decision… it is shocking that in almost 48 hours less than 5,000 people have signed it. You and I are in the minority!
It’s always deeply disturbing to see wilderness, or any wild land treated carelessly. How is your good dog doing? Has her eye healed?
Hi Cynthia, she’s doing well… still a bit fragile emotionally. We’ve got a pup now which hopefully in time will help with her healing!
I cant find the link for the petition, I have also looked on line and can find no mention. Could you repost the link please.
Hi Anne,
Found it for you : https://my.uplift.ie/petitions/the-taoiseach-must-reverse-his-decision-to-abolish-the-department-of-the-environment Let’s hope it is reversed.
Margaret
Redwood bog is private property no trespassers
Gosh, shocked Mr. Reddan that you feel compelled to comment on my presence there, rather than the fact that others are dumping in the bog… my believe would be ‘take only photographs, leave only footprints’.
Margaret
The private property owners of redwood bog have always minded there property and have put in place methods to control illegal dumping and to stop tresspassing ! both dumping and tresspassing will be dealt with …..
Excellent news that systems are being put in place to stop the dumping… it is horrific. I hope you can find a way to stop the slashing of the hedgerows and the chopping of timber too.
You seem to be implying that I was trespassing when I visited the bog… let me assure you I was not.
Take note1…. Npws or there associates and including enviro creeps are not permitted to enter redwood bog private property . Take note2….. on the 14 july 2016 your partner alfie mccaffrey of pigoftheday equiped with a camera was witnessed trespassing on the eastern side of redwood bog in his vehicle XXXXXX with two young kids this is tresspassing this is not the first time both you and your partner have been witnessed tresspassing on private property
Once again Mr. Reddan, your attitude to people who care about damage being caused to the bog astounds me.
The photos I took were on the main run into the bog. I have only been onto the ‘main bog’ area perhaps 3 or 4 times. The ‘two young kids’ you refer to were actually two German guests in their 40’s who had never seen bog and were enthralled and enchanted by it… they’re only crime was to take photographs and leave footprints…. which as we know does not cause damage.
Mr. Private Property owners… you gotta be some sad, bitter soul to actually write down these comments. Your attitude is not only reckless, but also absolutely idiotic. I wonder if you know exactly what happened to Harry and where Harry is?!
Lily, you have voiced our thoughts.
Turf cutting our heritage and tradition wonderful work done on family plots private property in redwood 2016
Mr. Reddan….. I am not sure this even makes sense, and certainly does not deign a reply/comment.
Hiya.haven’t walked it for about a week.saddened to see those photos.just signed the petition
Hi Geraldine,
Unbelievable that there are people who object to people walking… and feel that walking the bog is a crime. Keep walking it I say!!
Wow.saddened to read some of the comments above😕
I cut turf on redwood bog when I was a young lad and I never saw anyone dumping it is a disgrace to see these photos.Please do not make it a dumping ground what a lovely place to take a afternoon walk with your dog.
Hi Michael,
I know it is such a beautiful and tranquil place. We should be so proud of the area. We should be encouraging people to appreciate and learn more about these Special Areas of Conservation. The dumping really saddened me.
Margaret