Peatlands are the largest carbon sink in Ireland, far greater than forestry. NádúrNua owns 65 acres of raised bog at two of its woodlands in Muckanagh and Aghaweenagh.
Setbacks of 8 acres have already been created in Muckanagh to improve hydrology and there are already encouraging signs of rewetting and natural regeneration. Former drainage ditches show increased fauna and flora while new woodlands of Birch, Willow and Hawthorn have emerged. The management plan for the raised bog in Muckanagh is to allow it to regenerate naturally.
In Aghaweenagh, we are delighted that the West Cavan Bog Association is supporting the restoration of the Aghaweenagh/Fartrin peatland. In 2025, WCBA was granted funding from the Local Authorities Water Programme for the development of a peatland restoration plan. The first phase of the project involved a hydrological assessment of the area through desktop review and field surveys in May/June 2025.
This included information on drain dimensions (depth, width) using graduated poles, functionality (including how quickly water flows through drains relative to the surrounding peat) and confirmation of flow direction. Natural drainage channels were mapped and differentiated from man-made drainage channels based on substrate type, flow rates, and natural erosion processes and crosschecked with historical mapping.
A baseline ecotope survey was also carried out by Wetlands Surveys Ireland as part of the site assessment.
The bog restoration is being financially supported by NádúrNua and LEADER. Works will start in November 2026.
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