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Fitzmaurice welcomes grant funding for projects under the Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme

Over €90,000 in grant funding has been awarded to projects in Galway and Roscommon

 

Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice has welcomed the news that grants have been awarded for local peatland community initiatives in 2019.

The Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan, revealed that just under €131,000 will be awarded to 13 local community groups and organisations for a multitude of projects focused on the conservation and revitalisation of raised bog Special Areas of Conservation, Natural Heritage Areas and other raised bog areas.

Six of the 13 projects that will benefit as a result of the Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme are located in counties Galway and Roscommon, with their cumulative grant awards accounting for just over €91,000.

Speaking on the matter, Fitzmaurice said: “This funding will provide a great boost to communities, with a variety of projects set to be undertaken as a result.

“In my own area, Glenamaddy Tidy Towns will receive €15,000 to upgrade two walking trails around the Frass Clooncon bog.

“The funding will also go towards a number of other jobs, including installing interpretive signs and way markers, remedial works to previous sections of the trails and to construct a bog bridge.

“It is also hoped that the funding can go towards improving and extending the current parking area for anyone who wishes to avail of the facility.

“These walking trails provide people in the area with a quiet and peaceful to exercise, while being able to enjoy the scenery and nature around them.

“It was a pleasure to work with the community in Glenamaddy to secure this funding,” Fitzmaurice concluded.

 

Grants Awarded- Pilot of Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme 2019

 

Organisation Location Description of Project Grant Awarded
Irish Peatlands Conservation Council  

Co Kildare

To hold a my raised Bog, education program to provide a field study experience for 300 young people from schools local in Co Kildare and produce my raised bog booklet which will be given to participating students  

 

€4,123

Cloonsellan Abbey Conservation Group  

Co Roscommon

To carry out maintenance work under phase 2 of enhancement work to existing bog road at Clooncraff and to install interpretative directional signage.  

€11,252

Abbeyleix Bog Project CLG Co Laois To repeat eco-tope survey of the raised bog areas as well as ecological surveys of surrounding habitats  and to identify steps to be followed in restoration of high bog and cut over habitats at the site €10,139
Kilteevan Tidy Towns Co Roscommon To install a short recycled plastic board walk, with deck seat and information panel. Installation of AO map board, way markers and information signs at the pond And also publish a 2020 Cloonlarge Bio diversity calendar.  

 

€20,000

Mount Allen Residents Association Co Roscommon To review hydrological data collected since the start of the monitoring program, to install water monitors, quadrant surveys, complete restoration works and generate and present a report of the findings  

 

€7,700

Galway Telework Co-op Ltd Co Galway To install outdoor information panels and indoor display columns. They will provide outdoor seating and conduct a Bird Survey and report.  

€12,500

Maynooth University & Lullymore Heritage Park Co Kildare To collect and analyse core peat samples, prepare pollen samples for slides and radio carbon dating. They will prepare a pollen diagram and other display materials, images and models of pollen and if possible provide a peat core for display. They intend to hold workshops at Lullymore for invited guests and interested community groups.  

 

 

 

€17,063

West Cavan Bogs Association (WCBA) Co Cavan To complete an oral history project of the raised bogs of Ballyconnel area. They propose to record local people speaking about the bogs and their memories of the bogs, to archive the recordings for future generations and to help develop community engagement and a community plan for peatlands.  

 

 

€3,900

Meath Westmeath Peatland Heritage Co Meath To hold a bog week comprised of raised bog education programme for three primary schools and one secondary school, with events including talks, activities a bog art exhibition and a raised bog fact sheet publication  

 

 

€1,000

Ethos, (Everything Tyrrellspass has, on show) Co Westmeath To photograph as many species of night flying moths as possible and display the images. Also run a bog plant identification workshop with emphasise on sphagnum mosses present at Cloncrow bog, hold public lectures and talks on the value of raised bogs as carbon sinks. Emphasise the work being done on Cloncrow under the care of Peat Project and to organise a community bog walk on Cloncrow highlighting the unique habitat. They plan to run these events during heritage week. (17-25 Aug 19)  

 

 

 

 

 

 

€1,500

Looscaun Shannonside Rural Development Co Galway To develop a national walking and cycling trail through Clonmoylan/Barroughter raised bog. An environment consultant will secure landowner agreements, and carry out a survey, design of track and car park, investigations and habitat surveys. Preparation of an environmental impact assessment report and prepare and lodge planning application.  

 

€25,000

Glenmaddy Tidy Towns Co Galway To upgrade two walking trail loops around the Frass Clooncon bog. Install interpretive signs and way markers, remedial works to previous trail section and establish a link return to the start point via a bog bridge and improve/extend the current parking area.  

 

 

€15,000

Kilclonfert Community Hall Committee Co Offaly To have a display and information on Raheenmore bog set up in the centre and to have directional signage put in place for anyone wishing to visit the bog.  

 

€1,500

Michael Fitzmaurice – 0861914565