LOUGH BOORA PARKLANDS What is it?Lough Boora Parklands is 2,000 hectares of cutaway bogland in Co Offaly. Set up as a pilot project for a larger scheme to create interest in bogland areas that are no longer used for commercial production, it has natural and man-made lakes, wetlands, woodland, pasture, walkways, cycle paths and outdoor sculptures.
Why visit?It's an intriguing and mesmerising flat landscape that has been reclaimed by native animals, flowers and birds and enhanced by the addition of large site-specific sculptures. Lough Boora is also of archaeological interest, as peatland preserves objects well: traces of human activity from the Stone and Bronze Ages have been found.
The project was started by a local group in the 1990s, when the cutaway bogland was deemed unsuitable for forestry or agriculture. Visitors can now explore four areas around lakes and wetlands, with information panels along the walkways and cycle paths.
The Sculpture in the Parkland project, which includes visual and conceptual interpretations of the geography, landscape and industrial history, is designated one of the world’s top 100 outdoor sculpture parks. The parklands is also home to a grey-partridge conservation project.
Why now?Lough Boora is participating next weekend, for the first time, in the annual BioBlitz search for as many species as possible within 24 hours. Scientists, students and the public are invited to join the Irish Wildlife Trust in recording birds, bats and all creatures big and small from 5pm on Friday until 5pm on Saturday. Email reserves@iwt.ie or call 01-8602839 if you'd like to participate.
Loch an Dochas, in the Lough Boora Parklands, is the venue for a trout-angling competition for people with physical disabilities on Sunday, May 27th, starting at 11am.
How do I get there?Lough Boora Parklands is between Tullamore, Birr and Clonmacnoise. From Tullamore, take the N52 towards Birr; at Blueball, turn right on to the R357 for Cloghan and Shannonbridge. From Birr, take the N52 towards Tullamore, then turn on to the N62 to Athlone. Continue to Cloghan, turning right off the roundabout on to the R357.
Admission is free; staff provide guided tours for schools and other groups on request. You can hire bicycles during the summer and on request; loughbooraparklands.com, 057-9345978.
