On Sunday last I visited the Bog of Allen Nature Centre. This is located in the heart of the Bog of Allen and is run by the Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC). The bog of Allen is a large raised bog in the centre of Ireland between the rivers Shannon and Liffey. It takes in six counties and it is now one of the few places here in Ireland where you will hear the call of the curlew.

So on Sunday last I had such a pleasant day in the centre there and the staff were so helpful and such a joy to meet. I wanted to learn a little more about bogs and this I did. The weather (an aimsir) was kind so I had my picnic outside in the garden and parents could do likewise whilst watching their children, with their nets fishing for water slugs and snails and other delightful water life.

Though there was a guided walk to the Lodge Bog later in the afternoon I walked to there myself and as you can see below the fluttering bog cotton brought the bog alive. Shortly, I am told that the bog will turn to yellow and then in September the flowering heathers will give the bog a pink/purple hue.

So I will advice people on a self-drive holiday and staying in Dublin, or returning to Dublin, to take in a visit here and learn a little about our bogs. Shortly a looped walk of the Lodge Bog will be complete (July/August they expect) and this then will allow people to get greater enjoyment from this bog.

Lullymore is in a truly rural location so you will also enjoy very much undisturbed countryside and only about 20 minutes from Kildare. So this can be included in a visit to the National Stud and Japanese if people are interested.

Slan go foill