The Bog Wood Story 2

The History Behind the Craft

 

 

2.1 Our boglands

Peat is a soil that is made up of the partially decomposed remains of dead

plants, which have accumulated on top of each other in waterlogged places for

thousands of years. Areas where peat accumulates are called peatlands. Peat

is brownish-black in colour and in its natural state is composed of 90% water

and 10% solid material. It consists of Sphagnum moss along with the roots,

leaves, flowers and seeds of heathers, grasses and sedges. Occasionally the

trunks and roots of trees such as scots pine, oak, birch and yew are also

present in the peat.

 

As the summer draws to a close, the boglands stand out most distinctively

from the rest of the landscape. The leaves of both the common bog cotton

and, in particular, the deer grass (Scirpus caesitosus) turn the sward to a

brilliant russet which seems to glow in the low winter light. These russet

patches, swathes, or even entire landscapes, are sure indicators of bogland.

 

 

2.1.1 Where are the bogs?

Raised bogs occur in the midlands of Ireland and in the Bann River Valley

where rainfall is between 800 and 900mm per year. Blanket bogs are found

along the west coast of Ireland and in mountainous areas around the country

where rainfall is 1200mm per year or more. 17% of the land surface of this

country is covered with peatland and Bord na Móna who are responsible for

industrial peatland development in Ireland, owns 25% of the midland raised

bogs.

 

 

2.1.2 Raised bog history

Raised bog formation started at the end if the last glaciation – some 10,000

years ago – when the glaciers had retreated northward. At this time much of

central Ireland was covered by shallow lakes left behind by the melting ice.

Lakes also formed where glacial ridges, such as eskers, impeded free drainage

and trapped the water. At the base of these shallow lakes there were deposits

of lake marl overlying clay and glacial drift. These lakes were fed by mineral

rich groundwater and springs and supported floating plant communities, which

sometimes produced a thin peat layer just above the lake marl. The lake

edges were dominated by tall reed and sedge beds. As these plants died, their

remains fell into the water and were only partly decomposed. They collected

as peat on the lake bed. With time this process formed a thick layer of reed

pear that rose towards the waters surface. As the peat surface approached

the upper water level, sedges invaded and their remains added to the

accumulating fen peat.

 

In time the fen peat layer in these shallow lakes became so thick (up to 2m)

that the roots of plants growing on the surface were no longer in contact with

the calcium rich groundwater. When this happened the only source of

minerals for the plants came from rainwater, a very poor source of the

essential minerals needed for plant growth. As a result plants invaded that

were able to grow in the mineral poor habitats on the surface of the peatland.

The best indicator of the changing conditions was the invasion of the bog moss

or Sphagnum. The moss became common in such transitional fen/bog

habitats, and made the ground even more acid, by its ion exchange activity.

Plants typical of raised bogs, such as Heathers, Sundews and Deer Sedge

invaded the tops of the sphagnum hummocks, completing the invasion of bog

species.

 

The bog moss is important as it acts like a sponge or candle wick, drawing up

water and keeping the surface of the bog wet and waterlogged, in all but the

driest periods. So, even though the bog continued to grow upwards, away

from the water table, the bog moss ensured that the water table rose in

tandem with the rising peat level. During the long history of bog growth, there

has been occasional changes in the overall climate in Ireland. About 4,500

years ago the annual rainfall decreased. This caused bog surfaces to dry, and

allowed the invasion and establishment of a pine wood land on the surface of

the bog. This woodland persisted for some 500 years, until the climate

changed again and became wetter. Rapid bog growth recommenced as the

surface became waterlogged, and trees died. Tree stumps and whole tree

trunks were buried and preserved in the rapidly accumulating sphagnum peat.

The layers of fen and sphagnum peat and the buried pine stumps are often

seen exposed by turf cutters at the margins of raised bogs.

 

 

2.1.3 Life on the bog lands

Perhaps the most spectacular and best-known adaptation to life on the bogs is

the carnivorous plant. Several species have developed the ability to trap and

eat animals as a means of supplementing their meagre diet. The animals are

very small and almost exclusively insects, although the sundews (Drosera

species) are able to trap the bigger darter dragonflies, which have wingspans

as wide as the human hand.

The sweet scented bog myrtle (myrica gale), typical of western boglands,

forms a partnership with bacteria in its roots to obtain extra nitrogen, while

the common bog cotton (eriophorum agustiffolium ) uses a snorkel technique,

relying on large air filled cells in its roots based to survive in oxygen poor

environment beneath the living carpet of sphagnum. A family of tiny brilliantly

coloured `jewel’ beetles (Donaica species) use these air spaces as living

quarters.

Boglands are home to only a few species of animal, yet can boast the largest

animal in Ireland today-the red deer. Red deer can be found wallowing in peat

baths to rid themselves of flies and parasites, otters and badgers occasionally

venture out into the bogs in search of the eggs and chicks of ground nesting

plains.

The songs of skylarks and meadow pipits provides incessant background noise

on the boglands. But perhaps the most characteristics sounds of the boglands

are, first, the rustle and buzz of dragonfly wings on a still, sunny day as these

huge insects patrol the pools and hollows that are dotted across the bogs, and

cries of the birds. Most evocative of all, however, is the combination of bird-

songs; the cry of the curlew, the shout of the grouse and the sad “wheep” of

the golden plover.

 

2.1.4 History of peat use

Peat has played an important role in the history and development of Ireland

particularly in the midland counties. There is documentary evidence that peat

has been used as a fuel since the 8th century in this country. The destruction

of our woodlands in the 17th century meant the only other fuel available was

peat. Prior to the famine the population of this country was 8.2 million people.

It is estimated that at this stage 6-7 million tonnes of peat were used in this

country annually. Records show that the earliest attempts at peat use on a

large scale was reclamation of the peatlands for agricultural purposes. Several

other uses for peat were found in the 19th century varying from peat paper

(1835), to peat charcoal (1850), peat moss products (1850), turf distillation

(1849) etc. None of these enterprises were successful at that time but showed

the commitment the Irish people had in trying to make good use from this

freely available natural resource

Moving forward then, to World War II, Ireland found itself in economic

isolation, in particular in relation to its energy supply. That led to the

establishment of Bord na Móna and the Electricity Supply Board (ESB), in the

mid 1940’s, with the role of developing the resources and creating finance in

the midlands. This is the context in which the peatlands were developed for

industrial purposes.

 

2.2 Our native trees

After the last Ice Age, about 10,000 years ago, Ireland gradually became

covered with trees. These spread naturally across a land bridge, which

connected Ireland with the UK and possibly the continent. Species, which

colonised Ireland naturally, without the influence of people, since the last Ice

Age, are referred to as native trees. At first, juniper and birch started to cover

the land and this was followed with hazel and Scots pine. Around 8,000 years

ago, when conditions were favourable, oak and elm started to expand.

Woodlands of oak, ash, Scots pine, alder and elm developed throughout

Ireland between 7,000 and 5,500 years ago and the country was cloaked in a

rich tapestry of woodland at that time. The arrival of early farmers heralded

the beginning of the steady decline of Ireland's natural woodland cover. From

about 5,500 years ago people have hindered the natural development of

woodland by felling trees for timber and clearing the land for agricultural use.

This list of 28 trees and shrubs, drawn from the 8th-century legal tract Bretha

Comaithchesa, classifies them in four groups of seven. Due to its date, some

of the old Irish names for trees differ from modern versions; translations have

been guessed when there was no definite correlation. Different variations

exist; in some cases, Blackthorn is listed as a Chieftain.

Airig Fedo - ‘Nobles of the Wood’ (Chieftain Trees):

* Daur - Oak

* Coll - Hazel

* Cuilenn - Holly

* Ibar - Yew

* Uinnius - Ash

* Ochtach - Scots Pine

* Aball - Wild Apple

Aithig Fedo - ‘Commoners of the Wood’ (Peasant Trees):

* Fern - Alder

* Sail - Willow

* Scé - Hawthorn (Whitethorn)

* Cáerthann - Rowan (Mountain Ash)

* Beithe - Birch

* Lem - Elm

* Idath - Wild Cherry

Fodla Fedo - ‘Lower Divisions of the Wood’ (Shrub Trees):

* Draigen - Blackthorn

* Trom - Elder (Bore Tree)

* Féorus – Spindle Tree

* Crithach - Aspen

* Crann Fir - Juniper

* Findcholl - Whitebeam

* Caithne - Arbitus (Strawberry Tree)

Iosa Fedo - ‘Bushes of the Wood’ (Bramble Trees):

* Raith - Bracken

* Rait – Bog Myrtle

* Aiten - Gorse (Furze)

* Dris - Bramble (Blackberry)

* Fróech - Heather

* Gilcach - Broom

* Spín - Wild Rose (Dog Rose)

 

2.2.1 Historical uses for timber

The first farmers had to create patches of open ground in which to sow crops.

They felled and burnt small areas of woodland, grew crops for several years

and abandoned each patch when the soil was exhausted, moving to another

piece of woodland and repeating the process. The plough is thought to have

arrived in Ireland about 2,600 years ago and this was followed by a substantial

decline of woodlands. Uses for timber varied from the construction of bog

roads, crannógs and dugout canoes, to ship-building and charcoal for smelting.

Significant areas were also removed to make way, not only for agriculture, but

to reduce the cover woodlands provided for 'rebels'.

A major drive to 'regreen' Ireland began after the formation of the State, as

people realised just how important it was to have our own supply of timber.

Approximately 9% of Ireland is now covered by forests, mainly non-native

coniferous trees. The situation has improved a lot over the last century,

nonetheless, Ireland today still stands as one of the least wooded countries in

Europe. Trees were very important to the survival and daily lives of people

long ago. They provided food, firewood for heat and cooking, wood for spears

and fish traps, dye for cloth and poles for fencing and building dwellings.

People valued trees and laid down rules to protect them. Under the ancient

Brehon Laws trees were divided into four groups in order of importance and

usefulness. Even heather, gorse, bracken and brambles were protected. If you

damaged or cut a tree or branch without permission, you would be punished

severely.

 

2.2.2 Historical beliefs surrounding our native trees

In very early times, trees were associated with religion and the gods. It was

believed that Nine Hazels of Wisdom grew at the source of the river Boyne.

Five magical trees were believed to protect Ireland; three ash, an oak and a

yew. Sacred trees guarded important tribal sites or wells. Christians adapted

these old beliefs and trees were sometimes linked with saints. Old beliefs

about trees survived in folklore. St. Patrick was said to have banished the

snakes with an ash stick. Trees beside holy wells were often decorated with

rags or other offerings. Rowan was once thought to frighten off witches and

bring good luck. The rules to protect trees survived in some beliefs, for

example, that cutting down a hawthorn brought bad luck because the fairies

used it. The names of trees are seen in place names all around the country.

Derry and Kildare are called after Dair, the word for oak; Glenbeigh in Kerry is

named after Beith, the word for birch; Drumkeeran in Leitrim is named after

the Caorthann or rowan tree.

 

2.2.3 Ogham writing

In ancient times in Ireland, before people used the letters and writing we use

today, a form of writing called Ogham was used. We can still see some

examples of this on carved standing stones in old monastic sites, in particular

Clonmacnoise near the Celtic Roots Studio, in the National Museum of Ireland

and in the Ulster Museum. Ogham came from an earlier form of writing, the

tree alphabet, where the letters came from the trees the people were familiar

with and used. There were only twenty letters in this alphabet.

Fig. 2.1: Ogham Tree Alphabet

 

2.3 History of bogwood

Bogwoods are retrieved from the boglands where they have been buried for

over 5,000 years and have come to the surface as a result of turf production.

In famine times in Ireland these woods proved to be an important source of

fuel, and were also used for ropes, furniture, torches and thatches. The

antiseptic action of the bog causes the texture of the woods to undergo a

unique transformation. The oak becomes a fine black, self-lubricating wood,

the yew, a rich auburn and the pine takes on a golden hue.

Buried trees and forests are common and widespread in Irish bogs. In

extensive areas of the west of Ireland entire forests of pine lie preserved

underneath the blanket bog. In raised bogs pine forest is part of the natural

vegetation succession from lake to bog. The three important types of wood

found preserved in bogs today are Scot's pine, oak and yew. They can be from

4,000 to 7,000 years old. Pine, often referred to as deál or fir, is found deep in

the bog, and occurred in times when the drying of surface peat allowed a

migration of pines on to the bogs. These Scot's Pine woodlands were open in

character and had an under storey of birch. In the ground layer Ericaceous

shrubs or heather species were important including Ling heather and

Crowberry. They were maintained on the bog for up to 500 years. Eventually

the bog surface became unsuited to tree growth and regeneration of the

woodland. As the climate became increasingly wetter and bog growth became

active again the trees were drowned and seeds could not germinate.

Oak and yew trees are generally found around the edges of the bog and were

drowned as the bog expanded out of its basin onto the surrounding mineral

soil. The lack of oxygen in waterlogged peat prevents the natural process of

decay and ensures the tree trunks and stumps are preserved for years in the

accumulating peat.

Fig. 2.2: Bogland

 

2.3.1 Age of bogwood

Scientifically, bog wood has proved invaluable as a dating tool and for studying

climate change. This is made possible because of annual variations in the

diameter size of tree rings. Tree rings are wide in a good growth year and

narrow in a poor growth year. Studying variation in the pattern of tree rings is

known as dendrochronology. By studying and matching the patterns in tree

rings from a wide range of bog wood samples, a year-by-year chronology can

be built up. Queens University in Belfast has tree ring records compiled from

4,000 year old bog oak and other ancient oak timbers that spans 7,000 years.

A pine chronology for Ireland is also under development. The tree ring

chronology allows accurate dating of anything made from oak or pine in

Ireland. The annual growth rings in bog wood timbers also give a record of

past climatic conditions. The basis of these studies lie in the fact that in a

favourable growth year the tree lays down a wide growth ring. In unfavourable

years, a narrow ring and so on. The patterns in the rings analysed using

statistical packages and related to calendar years give a detailed record of

climate change over time.

The Celtic Roots Studio sent samples of their bog oak and bog yew to Queens

University Belfast to get the samples of wood carbon dated. The results were

as follows:

Radiocarbon dating at Queen's University, Belfast confirms;

"In providing dates along with sculptured wood, you can safely say, in the case

of the bog yew, that the date of the growth of the wood is between 2,000 and

2,200 BC and for the bog oak, the date of growth of the wood is between

3,300 and 3,600 BC." Dr. F.G. Mc Cormac, Radiocarbon Research Unit.

Fig. 2.3: Bogland

 

2.3.2 Traditional uses for bogwood

In famine times in Ireland these bogwoods proved to be an important source

of fuel, and were also used for ropes, furniture, torches and thatches. For to all

that worked the land the relics of the subfossil timber were generally seen as a

nuisance, cluttering the bogs and obstructing the business of turf- cutting. We

say ‘generally’, and should add ‘in our time’, for these roots and trunks and

fallen branches - tough and, one would say, intractable survivors of vast

stretches of geological and paleobotanical time - had served generations of

Irish people well. Harvested and conditioned by generations of rural expertise

(particularly during the famine), bogwoods were once a very important part of

their domestic and communal economy. They were in fact an essential

resource for the tenant farmer, as for the landless and near landless, when the

landlord retained to himself and his household the felling and use of ‘standing

timber’. And as the forests were stripped and sold, the bogs provided an

answer to the question: “cad a dhéanfaimid feasta gan adhmad?” For

bogwoods could, when properly dried and seasoned provide an excellent fuel;

and at Christmas, “bloc mór na Nollag”, the Yule log, was commonly of “giúis”

or bog fir. The “saor adhmaid” could fashion a roof of timber, or a chair, or a

table, or a loom or a boat.

Churns and milk-pails and butter-boards were all made of bogwood. So were

ropes for various purposes; on the farm, in the boatyard, even for thatching.

The bogwood torches and candles – “geatairí giúise”, provided domestic

lighting, and lights for fishing (legal and otherwise). As to the illumination

provided by the bogwood tapers, the journal Béaloideas has record of a

Kerryman who read ‘a whole series of Dickens novels’ by their light. The

method used to find tree trunks in tact bog remains unexplained today.

People would search bogs for areas wherever the early morning dew, frost or

snow disappeared first, these areas suggested the presence of buried wood. A

long metal probe was used to confirm the presence of timber. It is said that

an experienced hand was able to tell the size, the way in which the timber lay,

the tree species and the quality of the timber, all with a metal pole.

 

2.3.3 Bogwood artefacts

The Downhill Harp Donnchadh Ó Hámsaigh (1695-1807), known in English as

Denis O'Hampsey, Hampson or Hempson, was a contemporary of Irish harper

Carolan. The ‘Downhill Harp’ was made of bog timber in or near Baile na

Scríne in Co. Derry. It was presented to Ó hAmhsaigh (O’Hampsey) on his

eighteenth birthday. Harp and harper survived to have an honoured place at

the Belfast Festival of 1792. The harp, now a famous instrument with

provision for 30 strings, was made by Cormac O’Kelly of Ballynascreene. The

bogwood harp was inscribed by him with the following poem:

“In the time of Noah I was green,

Since his flood I had not been seen,

Until seventeen hundred and two

I was found By Cormac O’Kelly underground:

He raised me up to that degree

That Queen of Musick you can call me.”

Hempson played with the Downhill Harp most of his life. When he died in

1807 at the age of 112, his harp was taken to Downhill for safekeeping, by his

friend and Patron, Rev. Hervey Bruce. The Guinness family acquired the harp

in the 1960's and it can now be seen in the Guinness Hop Store exhibition

centre in Dublin.

 

Fig. 2.4: The Downhill Harp

on exhibition at Guinness Hop Store, Dublin

Bog oak souvenirs, generally speaking, some not particularly attractive articles

in themselves, were made for sale over many decades, chiefly in Dublin. Thus

Lucas provides us with a reluctant introduction to the second half of his brief

account of the past use of bogwoods.

“What might be called the industrialisation of bogwood dates from the early

nineteenth century. It flourished in Victorian times, after which it went into a

slow decline and was moribund by the Second World War. In its heyday those

engaged in the industry produced a vast corpus of work: furniture, statuary’

domestic bric-a-brac and a wide range of items of personal adornment,

including brooches, bracelets, and other forms of jewellery. Many of the ‘Irish’

artefacts were either of the wolfhound/Round Tower variety, or else celebrated

a drunken Paddy (with shillelagh and pig) but there were also models of

castles and abbeys, ‘Tara’ brooches and - one very popular item - the Brian

Boru Harp.”

Neville Irons a collector of bog oak work, wrote the following in the Irish Arts

Review in 1987,

“While there can hardly have been a more intrinsically Irish craft, either in

aspect or material, than the beautiful carvings in bog oak and yew of the

nineteenth century, yet up to now these have been received little serious

assessment. The Art Journal of 1865 did give some account of the origins of

the craft. More recently the only published information I have found are six

paragraphs in the article “Irish Victorian Jewellery” by Elizabeth McCrum,

Assistant Keeper, Ulster Museum, five paragraphs in The Rediscovery of

Ireland’s Past, The Celtic Revival, 1830 - 1930 by Jeanne Sheehy, and a three

page article by Charlotte Raftery, entitled “Up from the Bog”, published in

Cara.”

Research is now removing the layers of surface dust to reveal and industry,

the magnitude of which has hitherto been almost totally unsuspected. Not

only the carvers themselves, but also retailers and stylistic traditions, have

come clearly into focus and the bustling social background against which this

Irish minor art flourished has emerged. Patrick McGuirk is generally credited

with having been the first professional practitioner of the craft. It is said that

he served in the British army, and while at his last posting, Gibraltar, he

exercised his carving skill on the local hard coconut shells. He later returned

to Ireland and in 1821 presented a carved bog oak walking stick to George IV

during that monarch’s visit to Dublin. However, as it was reported that

McGuirk presented examples of his carving to the Duchess of Richmond, who

was so impressed that she suggested that he use his skill on his native bog

oak, one must conclude that his return to Ireland occurred some years earlier

while the Duke of Richmond was lord Lieutenant of Ireland, (1807 - 1813).

John Neate (1796 - 1838) is mentioned in The Art Journal, 1865, as having “so

far back as 1820 manufactured articles from bogwood and was certainly

among the first to profess it, if he did not actually originate the trade”. Neate

lived in Killarney, where the baptisms of a daughter and a son are recorded in

the Roman Catholic parish register in 1826 and 1831. An elder daughter,

Anne, born 1817, married Cornelius Goggin, who may have been trained by

John Neate, and who, himself, became a very successful manufacturer of bog

oak artefacts.

Although the references to McGuirk and Neate are perhaps the earliest to the

professional craft, it no doubt existed at an earlier date throughout the country

for the fashioning of small domestic utensils such as spoons and other cooking

implements, small furniture, etc. What is certain is that by the time of the

1851 Great Exhibition in Britain, and of the 1853 Great Industrial Exhibition in

Dublin, it was a firmly and fashionable established feature of the Arts and

Crafts scene in Ireland. The 1851 Exhibition catalogue lists several Irish

manufacturers and there must surely have been others throughout the country

working on a more humble scale in what started essentially as a cottage

industry.

Fig. 2.5: Artefacts made from bogwood

 

2.3 Our craft

During peat production, the ancient remains of trees - over 5,000 years old,

come to the surface of the bog. Celtic Roots then retrieves the wood and

takes it back to their workshop where it is slowly dried over a period of two

years, taking great care not to try to rush the process. Occasionally at this

phase it can be anticipated as to what the wood will be best suited for

creating. While the wood is drying, each piece is labelled in order to identify it

by origin i.e. bog location and species etc.

Depending on the scale of work, the design or the form of the piece, the artist

commences working on the wood. Other times the shapes of the sculpture is

revealed in the forms inherent in the piece itself. Each piece, great or small

undergoes nine different hand processes before it is perfected with a light

coating of beeswax. The fine sanding which is synonymous with Celtic Roots’

work, highlights the grain in the wood beautifully.

The pieces created by Celtic Roots, bring together past and present Ireland.

Elegance in its most pure and honest form is at the very heart of all the pieces

made. The creative designs use the lines and elegant shapes of the Irish

landscape as well as the fluid lines of the flowing water and the soft and

natural colours of the landscape's rich palette. The inspiration for Celtic Root’s

designs is the natural hinterlands of the midlands.

Celtic Roots are very proud of the new tradition that has been created with this

age-old material. They strive for perfection and excellence in each unique

creation and are committed to providing a service of the highest quality for

their customers. The craftsmanship is a celebration of our rich Irish heritage

and unspoiled local environment.

 

2.3.1 The carving process

The artists take the old trees into their workshop and dry

them very slowly over two years to convert them into wood that can be carved

and polished into a sculpture or a jewel to wear.

They take the bogwood into their workshop where they dry it carefully for two

years and when it is finally ready to commence its long slow work of carving,

to reveal the colours and shapes inherent in the wood. Each piece goes

through 19 different processes by hand before it is finally bees waxed to

highlight the grain in the ancient bogwood.

They feel lucky to be able to work with and feel apart of a long tradition in this

material. They are aware of using every remnant of the bogwood and treating

it like a beautiful Irish living jewel that it really is.

They work in a sustainable way using basic tools and natural materials, like

beeswax and olive oil to highlight the grain in the finely sanded wood. They

have used recycled paper for the last twenty years in their packaging and

while each of the sculptures are placed in wooden boxes (that they make),

their customers over the years have told stories of how the boxes are often

used for storage of everything from toys to shoes or prized family documents.

The hessian bags that holds the recycled paper comes from a local

company . It is these long relationships with the

bog, Bord Na Móna and the locality that reinforces their sustainability.

 

2.3.3 Environmental policy

Celtic Roots cares about the world and they do their best to contribute in a

positive way to this beautiful country. In a small way they contribute to the

environment by:

  1. Recycling as much raw material and used materials as possible.
  2. The bogwood used is a recycled material and left on the headlands of bogs to naturally decay over time.
  3. They never take bogwood out of the bog without the required permission.
  4. They use natural beeswax to finish their sculptures.
  5. Their packaging uses recycled paper and they have been using this material for the last 28 years.
  6. Their boxes are made from plywood in their own workshop. They are happy to have the box returned to the studio to recycle afterwards and offer €5 off subsequent orders to say thank you. However, their boxes are great for using as storage for precious items and have wonderful stories where people have found great uses for them over time.
  7. The hessian bags in their packaging has been sourced in Ireland
  8. In their own office they recycle as many components and materials as possible.
  9. In the refurbishment of their studio they recycled all their old furniture and display units to minimise the waste to the environment. Their paints were also eco-friendly and lime based.
  10. They source materials as kind to the environment as possible.
  11. They use recycled materials in communication materials.
  12. Their packaging for dispatch purposes often incorporate reused boxes.
  13. They participate in local community life, making it a better place to live and do business and are actively taking part in recycling programmes within the village.
  14. Ballinahown village has recently been nominated as an eco village by the local authority in Co. Westmeath on account of the local communities endeavours to recycle and think and act in a sustainable way

 

3.1 Ballinahown Village

Celtic Roots Studio is located in Ballinahown, a picturesque village situated on

the borders of Westmeath and Offaly on the main route to the south of Ireland

- NN62.

 

3.2.1 Clonmacnoise

Clonmacnoise is one of Europe’s most highly regarded monastic sites, which is

located approximately 10.5 km from Ballinahown village. The monastic ruins

are the most extensive of their kind in Ireland consisting of a cathedral, eight

churches (10th - 13th century), two round towers, three high crosses and a

large collection of early Christian grave slabs. The original high crosses and

grave slabs are on display in the visitor’s centre. The ancient monastic site of

Clonmacnoise is situated at the crossroads of Ireland in County Offaly and

dates back almost 1,500 years. St. Ciaran, the son of an Ulsterman who had

settled in Connaught, chose the site in 545 AD because of its ideal location at

the junction of river and road travel in Celtic Ireland. The location borders the

three provinces of Connaught, Munster and Leinster.

Ciaran did not live to see his monastery grow and flourish, he died of yellow

plague just four years after settling and was only 33 years old. The monastery

attracted many of the scholars of Ireland and from across Europe and it was to

become the most illustrious school in Europe.

It was a Scriptorium from the 8th-10th centuries and many scribes toiled long

and arduous hours learning the skills which were to become world renowned in

works such as the Books of Kells and Durrow. Metal workers in gold, silver

and bronze produced some of the world's finest Celtic craftwork, not surpassed

since the 11th century.

The site is superbly placed, overlooking the River Shannon from a ridge. Many

of the remains are in remarkably good condition and give a real sense of what

these monasteries were like in their day. The monastery is on the east side of

the River Shannon, in what was then the Kingdom of Meath, but occupying a

position so central it was the burial-place of many of the kings of Connaught as

well as those of Tara. Low, marshy, ground and fields known as the Shannon

Callows surround the site. These are home to many wild plants and are one of

the last refuges of a seriously endangered bird, the corncrake.

  

3.2.3 Lough Boora Parklands

Just 25 km from Ballinahown are the Lough Boora Parklands; a 2,000 hectare

parklands project consisting of a magnificent collection of natural & manmade

lakes, wetlands, woodland areas, 50km of walkways, natural recolonisation

and pastureland whilst providing a new habitat for wildlife, flora & fauna.

During the 1940’s and 50’s Bord na Móna was set up to develop Ireland’s peat

resources. Since its establishment it has purchased thousands of hectares of

peatland and now owns approximately 7% or 80,000 hectares of Irelands

lowland bogs. Once considered an economic wasteland these bogs have been

turned into a commercial enterprise; peat is milled for energy production,

harvested for horticultural products and commercial fuel production. Over

recent years large tracts of bog have been cutaway- “cutaway” being the term

used to describe an area that has come out of production once all commercial

peat has been removed. The Boora bog complex in Co. Offaly is one of the

oldest areas of commercial production and as a result was the first area where

large tracts of cutaway emerged. Over a short period of time it has been

flooded and allowed to recolonise naturally. As a result of this development

the area has become a new home to many birds and animals at risk in local

farm areas. Hundreds of birds and animals have made a new home in the

magnificent wilderness. Surprisingly it has only taken a short length of time

for plants and animals to recolonise the area. Different varieties of plants and

bird communities have developed. Over 250 vascular plants have grown and

its developed into one of the most amazing mosaic patterns of life and habitat

range in Ireland. The habitat range goes from woodlands to open grasslands,

to reed beds, to heather areas, to mossy areas, and rush covered lands. The

cutaway bog landscape is a lifeline for many bird species today. Natural

recolonisation of large tracts of cutaway is providing new habitats, replacing

those that have disappeared from farmland. The absence of fertilisers and

pesticides has allowed a rich diversity of insects and plants, and birds flourish,

creating a mosaic of wetland and terrestrial habitats throughout. Resident and

migratory birds alike are attracted to the cutaways in increasing numbers.

Lough Boora Mesolithic site was discovered in 1977 when what was first

thought to be a stone track way was brought to the attention of the National

Museum. This was investigated and found to be the storm shoreline of a post-

glacial lake, a remnant of an era when the Shannon and its lakes - Lough Ree

and Lough Derg covered much more of the Midlands than today. Further

investigation of the shoreline revealed the charcoal remains of ancient

campfires. Associated with these were approximately 1,500 artefacts. The

campfire sites, date to between 6,800 and 6,500 BC, and were the temporary

campsites of hunters during the Mesolithic age (Middle Stone Age). The site

itself is not the most spectacular archaeological feature as nothing remains of

these encampments. However, it is one of the most important archaeological

finds in Ireland. Prior to its discovery it was thought that the first human

settlements were nearer to the coast and that the midlands remained

uncolonised. The discovery of the Lough Boora Mesolithic site has proven this

to be inaccurate and pushed the accepted date for the colonisation of the

midlands back by over 3,000 years. The site, part of which is now a National

Heritage Area, is situated at the end of a 1.75 km walk, which is being

developed as a sculpture trail. Beginning at the edge of Boora Lake and

continuing through coniferous, oak and birch woodland, the walk ends at the

storm shoreline in a remote open area. A stone plaque marks the location of

the settlement.


3.2.5 Clonfinlough Stone

Three kilometres east of Clonmacnoise, near Clonfinlough Catholic Church, is a

curious limestone boulder half buried in the ground. Its surface is engraved

with crosses and markings resembling human forms. They are thought to date

from the Stone Age and the patterns resemble similar ones found in Spain and

France. Some suggest the carvings depict a prehistoric battle. To get there find

Clonfinlough Church; a rough path behind leads over fields to the stone.

 

3.2.6 Athlone Castle

The first real signs of settlement at Athlone grew up in Anglo-Norman times

around the castle, which was built for King John of England by his Irish

justiciar Bishop John De Gray of Norwich. Though not the first castle to be

built at Athlone this castle has endured like no other. Looking at it today it still

incorporates elements of the castle of 1210 together with various additions

and alterations, which were made in response to advances in warfare. It has

many of the characteristics of a Napoleonic fortification as it was remodelled

during that period to defend the crossing point of the Shannon.

Over the centuries it has been the nucleus of the Anglo-Norman settlement; a

stronghold of the rival local families the Dillons and the O’Kelly’s; the seat of

the Court of Claims; the residence of the President of Connaught and the

Jacobite stronghold during the sieges of Athlone. After the Siege of Athlone it

became incorporated into the new military barrack complex. It remained a

stronghold of the garrison for almost three hundred years.

In 1922 when the Free State troops took over the Barracks from their British

counterparts they proudly flew the tricolour from a temporary flagpole much to

the delight of the majority of townspeople.

In 1967 the Old Athlone Society established a museum in the castle with a

range of exhibits relating to Athlone and its environs and also to folk-life in the

district. Two years later when the military left the castle it was handed over to

the Office of Public Works and the central keep became a National Monument.

In 1991 to mark the Tercentenary of the Siege of Athlone the castle became

the foremost visitor attraction in Athlone. Athlone Town Council (then Athlone

UDC) made a major investment in the castle creating a multi-faceted Visitor

Centre. The castle is currently undergoing an upgrade to its facilities once

again and to bring the standards of interpretation and display in line with the

visitor expectations of the twenty-first century. The Keep of the Castle will be

used to tell the dramatic story of the famous Siege of Athlone while the other

buildings will house a modern interpretative centre focusing on Athlone, the

Castle and the periods both before and after the Siege. There will also be a

new presentation on the life and times of John Count McCormack Athlone’s

most famous export. Athlone castle is located approximately 12 km from

Ballinahown.

3.2.7 Athlone Town

Athlone is strategically located in the centre of Ireland, on the border of two

counties; Roscommon in the province of Connaught and Westmeath in the

Province of Leinster. Given its central location, Athlone is a natural hub for

transport. It is easily accessed by both rail and road with frequent bus and

rail schedules.

Athlone offers overseas visitors a genuine and welcoming Irish experience and

the Irish visitor benefits from the variety and competitiveness of the many

excellent deals offered by the hotel and leisure industry and a friendly local

welcome. A wide range of amenities and services are available within a 20-

mile radius of the town including excellent hotels, Spas, B&B's and other

accommodation options. The town is renowned for the wide variety of

restaurants and eateries catering for all tastes and budgets.

Athlone's position on the River Shannon at the foot of Lough Ree has ensured

a consistent influx of water enthusiasts including those who participate in

sailing, cruising, wind surfing and canoeing. Angling enthusiasts come to fish

the Shannon and the many lakes located in the Hidden Heartland Region.